Little Mama Bear

As a kid, I loved the movie Pete's Dragon (1977). At first I was not sure how I felt about a new one being done. I was not planning on watching it, but the kids wanted to.  I loved it! The new one takes out the musical aspect of the movie, so it is not really an apple to apple comparison. I thought it was very well done. I am glad that there is enough of a difference that the two really are not comparable.

The kids have watched it twice now. Meli wanted to check it out again from the library, since we are reading the book. It works well, because the book is based on the new movie. It is basically word for word the same. I am curious to see if there is an old book that the original movie was based on.

This movie gets to the core of Meli that I have never seen a show do before. Given she does not watch a lot of live action movies yet. We are starting to do so. We have enjoyed the first and second Harry Potter movies and the original Jumanji. She desperately wants to see the new one. I have seen it, so I think she will be OK. She gets scared when animals look very real and are chasing people. The new Jungle Book had parts that bothered her.

Anyways, she gets so worked up watching this movie. When they are trying to hunt Elliot, she gets so fired up. She was yelling at the screen and losing her words. She was saying "I would beat them up. I want to take a sword and and hurt their heart". I have never heard her talk like this. The act of someone trying to harm Elliot put her into a frantic protection mode. Little mama bear.

The second time we watched it, which was quite some time after the first. She was so frustrated that she was crying. I had asked her if she was OK watching it. She has been fine reading the book. Visually the hunting scene would be a lot more to take in. This time she was doing good and then she got upset towards the end. I think she would have been fine, but she was also recovering from being sick. Plus, at night her eyes tend to get really tired from working so hard. (Update on eye therapy soon!)

Her last fighting words were, "I want to choke...choke...choke his heart". We had asked her if she wanted to stop the movie, but she wanted to see a happy ending. So, she laid on me and I combed her hair to help


                                                   ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                            The B Family

Just a little trim

The kids decided they they were both ready for a trim. It turned out to be a little more than just a that! Colin went probably the shortest ever and Meli had more than 6 inches cut off.

I was surprised that Will was so sad to see Meli's hair go. He is a big fan of long hair. Her hair grows so fast that it will be back in no time. Although, she says she wants to keep it short forever! Poor daddy! I think she should enjoy it short while it is so straight. Who knows if her hair will go curly.

Her hair was getting so long!

Chopped!

His hair grows so fast and is so thick!

The hairdresser commented on how much she had to cut!

They are just too cute!

                                                       ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                The B Family

Christmas Photobomb

Our puppy, Charlie, has a really cute personality. As (in my opinion) most dogs do. He is super cute, fun, mischievous, and super playful. He is also very loving and cuddly. This is my first puppy after becoming a parent, and it amazes me how many similarities there are. Charlie will misbehave like my kids did as toddler. When he is mad at us, he acts out.

Recently, I was looking through the pictures I took this holiday season. I noticed Mr. Charles is a little master of the photobomb. Every picture I looked at where we were doing anything Christmas related, there was Charlie in the background. Here are a few:

Hanging Candy Canes on the tree.

Decorating our gingerbread house.

The kids opening their one Christmas Eve gift.

My traditional picture with the kids.

This was the last picture we took on Christmas Day. We were so surprised by Charlie. Will said, "family picture!" The kids and I sat down in front of the tree and without any prompting from us, Charlie walked over and placed himself in front of the camera. I love this picture! He even looks like he is smiling for the camera!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Let Them Sleep...

"Let her sleep for when she wakes, she will move mountains"

As a mom, one of life's mundane acts always makes my mind reel back to when the kids were babies; sleeping. When they are sleeping, it washes away any frustrations from the day or arguments. They are just my sweet, precious little babies.

I have been very busy at work lately. In some ways, I love this. Since I enjoy my work-time being filled with things to do. Lately, it has been to the point that I have worked way more than my usual amount of time. It has been exhausting. For all of us. Will has been awesome at helping with the items I usually do at home. He is worn out since he already does a lot at home.

I am very fortunate that my work schedule is pretty flexible. I try to make sure I have a few early days each week, so that I can come home and spend time with the kids and Will. The past month or so that has not been as easy. I have had late nights more often than not. I think it will slow down this next week. Fingers-crossed.

One of my favorite time of day is story-time and laying with the kids while they fall asleep. I love that they are still at an age where they want me to lay down with them. They both want to hold my hand as they fall asleep.

I love the questions they ask about the poems we are reading and our whatever our current book. Right now we are reading a book of poems by Shel Silverstein, which opens it up for a lot of questions! We are also reading Pete's Dragon.

Anyways, I am so glad that I can still sneak these moments in. We may not always get reading in, but I can still lay with them and snuggle.




Colin's face was covered, so no pictures of him this time.


                                       ~ Love, Hugs &  Kisses ~
                                                     The B Family

Our Canvas: My Painting Buddy

Meli has been my most consistent painting partner. Colin will join in occasionally. Will and I are even going to have a night where we drink wine and try our hands at a Bob Ross tutorial! We have been watching those at night for fun. I cannot believe I did not watch him as a kid. This Christmas, I totally scored in the art department with canvases, acrylics, oils, an awesome wood box/easel. Thrilled me to my core! I am inspired to really invest time in this hobby.

To get Meli comfortable with paints, she will pick out something she wants to paint. Then I will draw a basic outline for her to follow. Then she paints away.

Then I get to work on my own painting next to her.

Heart & Rainbow

Black Kitty in a field of flowers

 We are making some final touches on it today.

 ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

                                                                       The B Family

Our Canvas: Seasonal

After years of not touching a brush, I have decided to pick up painting again. I was never a full-blown painter, but I enjoyed it during my school years. I was always more of a sketcher with pencil or charcoal and still not necessarily very good.

Since the kids have been able to walk (possibly before) we have had art time. We have explored watercolors and finger paints. Now we are exploring acrylics and soon oils and different techniques. Meli has loved moving to canvases and using my tall easel. I seem to always get my small wooden table one, which I actually do prefer.

Over the past few months we have stuck to some seasonal themes. Meli and Colin both did a fall foliage inspired piece. For this one we bundled Q-tips together and the kids used them for the leaves. I thought this method was pretty neat. The Q-tips added a cool texture.

Colin's tree

Meli kind of sits like I used to when creating!

Colin's tree

Meli's tree

Meli is the only one that did a Christmas one. She will want to paint on her own often.

She has started to explore mixing colors. 

                                                          ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                   The B Family

Double Digits...What?!

My affectionate, honest, and fun first-born turned 10 a little over a month ago. I think that out of the milestones we have come to, this one has been the most difficult for me. We are starting on the next chapter of parenting. The next set of years are going to be ones more challenging on us to teach what is right and to provide the skills to handle situations on his own. Leaving the early childhood years behind (for at least one of our kids) is not going to be easy.  I am so thankful for the wonderful memories we have and for building a strong bond with my lovable son. I am so proud of Colin.

I am in utter shock that we are at this point. The last 10 years have gone by in a blink. Literally feels like I closed my eyes and when I opened them he is talking about coding and relationships. It seems like he went from this small bundle in my arms to this kid asking about girls in a fleeting moment. I feel ill-prepared for this next phase of Colin's childhood.

It has really put in perspective how much we need to hold onto these moments even more. I am loving every hand hold, hug, kiss, question, and reading time. These are the memories that I will miss. I know there will be a day that Colin will not want to hold my hand. Or will tell me that he would rather just read to himself at night.

I am so grateful that one of his love languages is time spent. Hopefully, he will need that from me for a long, long time.

I am so thankful for a son who has made being a mother so easy. I love his sense of justice, his genuine goodness, and that child-like wonder that makes him so kind and curious.


                                                                   ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                               The B Family