Job update

Jason was offered a dream job on Tuesday night. We are ecstatic. It's here in Raleigh, it's a great mix of what he wants to be doing the rest of his life, and the lifestyle is unbelievable. We could not be happier or more relieved to have this long process over. Now begins another long process of house hunting, but this one should be a little more fun!

Our favorite things

Can someone explain to me why that's a Christmas song? I don't get it. I must be missing something.

Around here, Colin loves his jumper.

Ethan loves chocolate pudding. And Colin. And I love them.

By the way, which sounds worse? That Ethan was eating pudding for breakfast, or that it was his after lunch snack and he was still in his pjs?

13.1

Jason ran his first half marathon today. He met his time goal and was really happy he did it. It was an incredibly gorgeous day so the boys and I went to meet him at the finish line.

Ethan played on the free slide before and after Jason finished.

Colin woke up in time to greet Jason and was thrilled to be outside. Colin's basically thrilled most of the time, unless he's sleeping or it's his evening fussy hour.

Jason finished strong.

But was a little tired afterward, understandably.

Even so, I was very impressed and inspired. It kinda makes me want to exercise. Maybe next week.

I must confess

I had forgotten how much fun 3 month olds are.

Crazy in love

This guy just gets cuter every day.

Backfired

Ethan is having trouble staying in his bed tonight. I got Very Stern with him, to which he responded, "Mom, you have to be nice to me. Snow the Elf is watching us." Stupid elf. On another note, I turned 30 yesterday, and I wanted to say thanks to everyone for making me feel so loved. I heard from all of my siblings, which was so fun, and got to go to dinner with my husband while my parents babysat. It was a mostly normal but very relaxed, fun day. For the record, 30 feels like 29, which feels like 28, etc., etc., so basically I still feel 16. Except for the husband and 2 kids part.

Snow the Elf

If you have a preschooler, you should consider running out and buying this guy. He's the "Elf on the Shelf." It's a big deal around here, and a cute idea. There's a book that goes with it. You read the book, which describes the rules (no touching the elf, you can talk to him but he can't talk to you, you have to give him a name, etc.). Ethan named him "Snow." Every night he flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa on how everyone in the house behaved that day. Every morning he reappears in the house somewhere and the kids are supposed to search to find him. Ethan loves looking for him every morning. Since Ethan is more practical than whimsical, he was a little skeptical at first, trying to convince us that pretend elves can't talk or walk. We explained that he could fly, so then Ethan was freaked out and concerned that the scary elf would fly into his room at night. We promised his room is off limits. It's a little pricey at $30, but if you are more creative and have more energy than I, you could easily make one. I think it may be a fun tradition for our family.