Except it's still hovering between 70 and 80 degrees here in Austin.

I love Austin and I love 80 degree weather, don't get me wrong.

But it's December.

And, believe it or not, I went to college here:

Bates College, Lewiston Maine

Meaning:  To me, December is supposed to be cold.  Scarf weather.  Frostbite weather, even.

And yet, I wear flip flops on the daily.

Unfazed by his mother's meteorological struggle, Jack is working on his toilet paper roll reindeer decoration.

Kid's got the holiday spirit, alright.

Hope you get to paint something today.

Talk soon,
Heather

football season, then and now

I'm not a big fan of football season.

To me, its only redeeming quality is that it's an excuse to make delicious appetizers from Pinterest.  And that the weather is usually cooler.  And that if you want to hang out on the couch, that's totally acceptable.

Durel is, quite obviously, a Saints fan.  I am pretty sure this means that Jack is one, too.  

In fact, I have proof that Jack is evolving into *quite* the Saints fan.  Watch this:

Last year:

This year:

Now accepting all metaphors for HOW QUICKLY TIME IS FLYING.

Hope your day has a cool Brees in it.  Mine sure does.

Talk soon,
Heather

giving thanks

A lot of my friends have taken on the project of being thankful for something specific for each day in November.  And while my inner snark wants to hate on this practice, my inner sap thinks it's pretty awesome.

Enter, the age-old snark v. sap debate.

Here's my compromise.  With my recap of our fantastical Thanksgiving, a smattering of things for which I am immensely grateful.

1.  That awesome turkey, and the accompanying feast.
Because seriously, we had roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, spinach and cheese stuff, green bean casserole, oyster dressing, cheesy noodle casserole, and peas.  Oh, and pumpkin pie, chocolate pecan pie, and coconut custard pie.

2.  Our beautiful new home, and the fact that it was full of our family.  (And vintage turkey candles, natch.)

3.  A chance to use the fancy china and silver.  Because those are rare.

4.  Generations.

5.  An entire long weekend to soak up awesome family time.  (And to eat spiced chocolate creme brulee while doing so.)

6.  Watching Jack with his family.  Including his Uncle Dagwood, who is giving Uncle Dustin a run for his money on the title of Favorite Person Alive.

7.  Pet love.  Schatzi came all the way to Austin from Albuquerque to share her furrowed brow and cuteness with Pablo and Lucy.  There was some butt-sniffing and backyard patrolling.  And they loved it.

Yup, I have a lot to be thankful for.  Hope you do, too.

Talk soon,
Heather

update

A few things that I'd like to share (and remember) about this time in Jack's life.

-- We're almost finished potty training.  Jack will loudly announce when he has to go to the bathroom.  And as parents have done through the history of, well, indoor plumbing, as soon as he says he has to go, we are up and on our way.  This is one thing you don't delay.

-- Jack has discovered teddy grahams.  He likes them as an end of day snack.  

-- Jack and I went out for a jog the other day.  He enthusiastically oohed and aahed as we went up and down hills and around corners.  When we got home, he shouted triumphantly, "We made it!!!"  (I didn't realize there was a chance that we wouldn't.)

-- Jack's new favorite show is Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  This is not my new favorite show.  And if the TV "breaks" and starts showing more episodes of Sesame Street and Dinosaur Train?  How weird would that be?

Me:   Jack, do you know what day it is?

J:       NOVEMBER!

Me:   That's right, it is November.  But, do you know what day of the week it is?

J:       THANKSGIVING!

Me:   Well, yes, it's almost Thanksgiving.  But today is Wednesday.  Did you know that?

J:       No, it's not Wednesday.

-- New favorite pastime?  Petting and praising the dogs.  And giving them treats.  

-- Old favorite pastime?

Hope your day has old and new pastimes in it.

Talk soon,

Heather

he's a good eater

Jack likes to eat.

He still eats three breakfasts per day.  He's been doing that since he was about 13 months old.  He eats once at home (usually Cheerios or a waffle).  He eats "second breakfast" when he gets to school (lately, raisins and/or applesauce).  He eats the breakfast that he is served at school.  That's three, folks.

So, in terms of frequency, we are clearly on the high end of the eating scale.  We are also on the high end of the diversity scale.  While Jack's not quite on the Mikey level of eating anything, he has what I like to think of as an adventurous palate.

I'm dating myself here.  But come on.  You remember Mikey.

He likes Pad Thai.  Seaweed salad.  Sushi (heavy on the rice).  Brisket.  Corn on the cob.  Pho.  Peaches.  CHEESE.  Vegetables.  And, the latest entry to this list:  Pasta Carbonara.

We naively ordered him chicken nuggets and fries.  Which were fine until he decided that he'd rather try what Durel was eating.  At which point, he proceeded to eat as much of Durel's dinner as he could.  As quickly as he could.

Note:  The ever-patient Bunny is serving as a headrest to his booster seat.

So, you know, that happened.

Hope you have a delicious dinner this evening.

Talk soon,
Heather