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

good friends are not like balloons

When we were in New Orleans recently for Aunt Rinnie's wedding, we did what we always do when we are in New Orleans.  

We crashed the home of our lovely friends, Bryan and Amy.  We made them put us up overnight.  We ate their food.  We drank their beer and wine.  And we had a great time.

Bryan and Durel have been friends since high school.  Amy and I have been friends since we met in, oh, 2002?  They have two adorable kiddos, Luke and Lucy.  We, of course, have Jack Attack.

Here's a snippet of how much fun we had.

Clockwise, from left:  Balloons.  Pedreaux the Wonder Weimeraner; Lucy; Jack and Lucy love lollipops.

Balloons are fun but they don't last long.  You have to hold onto them or they'll fly away.  You have to be careful with them or they'll pop.  Good friends aren't like that.  You can crash their homes once every year or two and make yourselves completely (and I mean completely) at home, and it's all good.

Thanks, guys.  You rock.

Hope someone gives you a lollipop today.

Talk soon,

Heather

barbecue makes it better

A few months ago, Jack was a little bit off-kilter one Sunday.  He seemed cranky, rumpled, and generally discombobulated.

I mean, Durel and I both certainly have days like that, but we blame it on the tribulations of adulthood.  We don't generally see that, or expect that, from our feisty little ray of sunshine.

Lounging wasn't doing the trick, really.  Napping didn't fix what ailed him.  So, I decided that a quick trip  out, somewhere, would help.

We ended up at Rudy's.  We shared some brisket, some white bread, and some root beer.

Wouldn't you know?  It perked us both up considerably.

I know it's Monday and all.  Hope nothing discombobulates you today.

Talk soon,
Heather

halloween, redux

Though Durel and Jack and I were robbed of winning the costume prize at his school, we still had a totally awesome Halloween.  I know it's November, which is why I am hurrying to share the rest of these (unmissable) pictures before moving on to things like, oh, trips to New Orleans and Thanksgiving. 

Eek! Thanksgiving!  I'm brining the bird.  That's all I'll say at the moment.

Jack and his best bud took the neighborhood by storm.  Between Captain America and Captain Jack, who is going to say no?  In fact, you will note that people were leaving bowls of candy out for this awesome duo!

Victory was theirs.  It took the form of lollipops.

Said blue lollipop left Jack's face looking a little ghoulish.  All in the spirit of the holiday, as they say.

And, because I am a nerd, I also had to do this to this precious photo of my guy's expression.

Hope your day is not at all spooky.  It is November, after all.

Talk soon,
Heather

let them eat (empanadas and) cake

Last night, my lovely parents took Jack and I out to dinner to belatedly celebrate my birthday.  (Durel had a work event.  He works hard, people.)

I chose to go to Buenos Aires, which is rapidly becoming one of my favorite restaurants in Austin.  Because the food is delicious and because JACK LOVES IT.  Any restaurant where a 2 1/2 year old consistently behaves will jet to the top of the parents' favorites list.  Mark my words.

Also, I love empanadas.  And Argentinian Malbec.  So, it's a no brainer for other reasons, as well.

They often have live music, and they did last night.  It was beautiful.  All instrumental, Argentinian, and lovely.  

Jack devoured his empanadas, some fries, some broccoli, and then cozied up in his chair to watch the music.

Note:  Bunny as fellow music aficionado and pillow.

After a while, Jack turned his full attention on the adorable cupcake that my mom (his Grammy) had brought for him.  I've planned my menu for Thanksgiving, and he had a turkey cupcake. 

Note:  Jack's hair is totally wild about 90% of the time.

It is November, and all is right in the world.

Hope you are thankful, too.

Talk soon,

Heather

laissez les bon temps rouler

We did it.  We went to New Orleans.  Aunt Rinnie got all married and stuff.  Jack wore his tuxedo.  I had a birthday.  We are home again.

We're also utterly exhausted, so for right this second, I will share this and save my words for tomorrow.

Hope you had some good times this weekend, too!

Talk soon,
Heather