Jack is passionate about his viewing choices.

For a while, it was Fresh Beat Band every day after school while I made dinner.  At first, I demurred when he insisted I do the closing dance with him.  But you only live once, dancing is fun, and you don't have to tell anyone or anything.  

Oops.

Then, it was Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Durel and I consistently broke his heart when we refused to let him watch more than one episode at a time.  I struggled with that phase.  I know that pirates are cool, but that show plucks my nerves.

Now, we've taken an unforeseen turn straight into the Disney archives.  We watch 101 Dalmations on the daily.  We almost never make it through the entire movie, what with dinner and bedtime and TOYS and all.  But it's Jack's current jam.  There is no denying it.

Side Note:  I was considering being Cruella DeVille for Halloween until I did some preliminary research and realized that it always make you look like a drag queen.  Best leave that one to the experts.

I had an epiphany the other day.  I think I've figured out why Jack loves 101 Dalmations so much.

Check this out:

Pongo, the main canine character and mastermind.

Pablo, our main canine character and the Most Interesting Dog in the World.

Pretty cool, huh?

Hope a spotted dog with a red collar brightens your day today.

Talk soon,
Heather

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona

That means Happy St. Patrick's Day in Irish!  And a happy one to you all!

A little known fact about me is that when I lived in Galway, Ireland for a year of college, I took Irish as a class.  Like, the language.  I don't remember much other than basic pleasantries and how to count to ten.  But that's still pretty cool.

On Friday, Jack's school had a parade of the kiddos wearing green.  Despite his sartorial independence, he was happy to participate when I explained that it was for a parade.  

On Friday, Jack and his classmates also had to bring in something that begins with the letter "u" for show and tell.  His new Ugly Doll would certainly fit the bill.  And, lo and behold, he's green.

It was a perfect storm.

Hope your St. Patty's Day is a perfect storm of Guinness, potatoes, and good times.

Slainte,
Heather

hi

It's a gorgeous day in Austin, Texas and the air is crackling with possibility.

Jack and I hope you're having a pretty kick ass day, too.

Talk soon,
Heather

rice is awesome

Durel grew up in New Orleans.  This means many things about him, not the least of which is that he loves rice.  It is his family's default carb.

It took me a while to figure this out, since I am an Irish girl from the East Coast.  The default carb of the Davies clan is the potato.  I mean, obviously.  

Once, when Durel and I were driving from Austin to New Orleans, we passed a billboard that summed up his genetic love of rice perfectly.  It featured a smiling little girl with pigtails, diving into a huge bowl of rice.  And all it said was:  RICE IS AWESOME!

We laughed and laughed and laughed.  And then Durel was like, "But really. Rice is awesome."

Got it.

Yesterday, I took Jack to How Do You Roll, which is my new favorite place ever.  It's set up like Subway (which I do not love, so pardon the comparison), but they serve sushi.  I had a spicy tuna roll, which is my favorite thing ever, after Jack and Durel.

Jack had a teriyaki beef rice bowl.  And it was all business.

Because rice is awesome.

Hope you  have some awesome rice today.

Talk soon,

Heather

the thing about three

Jack and I had this conversation this week:

H:  Here's your dinner, buddy!  Doesn't it look delicious?  (Editor's note: What? Ruthless self promotion is allowed as a mom.)

J:  Dinner!

H:  Awesome.  Let's eat!

J:  [munches thoughtfully on salad]

H:  [feels proud]

J:  I DON'T LIKE THIS!

H:  Well, why don't you try your pizza?

J:  I DON'T LIKE CHEESE!

H:  [notes that he does like cheese.  notes wheels coming off of wagon.]  Well, why don't you try the rest of your dinner?

J:  I WANT FRUIT SNACKS!

H:  Nope.  We don't eat fruit snacks for dinner.  You have pizza, salad, and potatoes.  Why don't you eat those?

J:  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

H:  Jack.  Listen to me. This is what I am serving for dinner.  And I am serving it for 10 more minutes.  You can eat your dinner or you can go to bed.

J:  [sobbing on floor]

He's only been three for 5 days.

Here we go.

Hope your salad was pleasing to you today.

Talk soon,

Heather

throwback thursday

Two years ago, this was us.

Sorry, Durel.  It's a good picture.  I promise.  You had a crying one year old in your lap.

Nice mustache, though.

Hope your facial hair pleases you today.

Talk soon,
Heather

oh crap

I discovered the website Successify the other day.  It's good if you like that sort of thing.  (I do.)

And then I saw this.  And thought to myself, "Oh, crap."

It's time for me to write my book, isn't it?

What is it time for you to do today?  

Hope you can spend some time thinking about the answer.

Talk soon,

Heather

anatomy of a 3rd birthday

I didn't go all out for Jack's birthday this year.  

Why?  Because I wanted to focus on family this year.  I wanted the little man and his parents and grandparents to chill out, hang out, and pig out.  Or something like that.

It pretty much rocked.  Because, aside from family and the joy of being together, I also managed to have the other required components of a successful third birthday celebration.

See?

At least I know how to keep it real.  And that requires cupcakes.

Hope you have something delightful in your day today.

Talk soon,
Heather