Flying to Neverland

As a birthday gift for myself this year, I bought season tickets to the Broadway Shows at the Hult Center. The musicals that they had on the docket were very exciting! This season they have Finding Neverland, The Lion King, Evita, The Illusionist, and Wicked! The price for season tickets was a really good deal (at least seemed like one to me) and it had something for everyone in the family. The Illusionist is a bonus one that you can add on to the packet for a discounted cost. At first, I was not planning on doing it but I think I may have to. I think Will may enjoy that one the most.

For the first show, I took Colin as my date to Finding Neverland. We both loved it! Colin was a little surprised that Peter Pan was not in it as much but once he understood the premise, he really got into it. We bought the soundtrack to the Original Broadway show and have been listening to it ever since. Meli, who did not get to go to this one, also loves listening to the soundtrack.

I loved getting dressed up and hanging out with Colin. He was a perfect date! Next up is The Lion King!

The actors did such a fantastic job! I was really impressed with the singing and overall production. Their was also an underline sense of humor that went over Colin's head that was a nice addition for the adults without ruining the children's story.


For my fellow Oregonians - definitely worth looking into. Even a bit of a drive is worth it.


                                                     




  ~ 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

A Birthday for Bun Bun

Meli decided the other day that it was her Bunny's birthday on Friday and that she was going to be a year old. I am not sure where this all came from, since one she got her for Easter a couple of years ago. But OK. We went with it. It has been a long week with both kids feeling sick and Meli's eye therapy.

So, we celebrated the first year of Bunny's life. I think her full Bunny Bun Snowflake B. Something along those lines.

Meli picked out the kind of cake that bunny would like and we all helped to make it. We found some birthday decor in the garage. Along with matching balloons, utensils, plates, and cups. Yay for a recent baby shower. I realized I never wrote about that. I totally need to do that. I am an aunt again! 5th nephew. First on my side...more on that later.

We had a good time. The kids thought it was awesome. Bun Bun was very grateful and Will even sang a lovely version of the birthday song. It was awesome with most of us recovering from sore throats.

I love when kids have random ideas that make you take time and enjoy life.

                                                ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                         The B Family

The Birthday Girl

First birthday

On Wednesday, my daughter turned the big 6! I am excited and sad at the same time. She is growing up way too fast for this mama. Recently, there have been some very noticeable changes in her personality and maturity that have thrown me for a loop. Well, I should not say changes…that is not the correct word. Certain aspects of her personality have really blossomed and have become more noticeable. So more emphasis on key characteristics. 

She loves rain & sunshine

With her birthday being so close to Mother’s Day, we usually try to celebrate with her friends a different weekend. She still does not understand that concept fully. She was confused as to why her friends did not come over on her birthday or this weekend.  She does get to have a friend sleepover, which should be fun. Her best friend is so sweet! I think she wants her party to happen because she really wants her Moana cake. She keeps changing her cake request. It started with Moana, then Trolls, then Shopkins. Now it is back to Moana. Thankfully, I have not ordered it yet, since we still have some time. 

A few hours before heading to the hospital

My darling little baby is becoming such a sweet, fierce, free-spirited girl. I love her style and admire some of her qualities that will help her when she is older. Ones that can be frustrating as a parent, but I think can be a real benefit later on. If she uses them in the right way. Chooses to use her powers for good (as Will would say, lol). 

During my pregnancy with her, we already knew that we would not go past a certain date (unless she came early on her own). I remember the day before. We were going into the hospital that evening to start the induction process. It was the first night Colin ever stayed the night away from both of us. Such an exciting and nerve-racking time. 

Meli LOVES Moana!

Our little adventure seeker - she loves her scooter

I am so blessed to be this little sunshine’s mom. What a joy she brings to our lives. Stress at times too, but mostly joy.

Will is so excited that she loves Lego sets.

Happy birthday to my little cuddle bug. My sunshine. My hummingbird.  Walela.

My sunshine

She chose a blue monster for her home cake

She loves her gifts from Grandma!

                                                      ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                              The B Family

A long time ago (9 Years to be exact)...

...In a state far away. A lady and her husband were anxiously awaiting the next morning to see if their little bundle of joy would be making his appearance.

Mr. Colin Brack

Excuse the Star Wars entry but this family just love the movies, so it felt appropriate. My first born, Master Colin (throwing in Batman now), made his debut tomorrow.

I cannot explain how so much love can fill your being in a single instance. The first time holding and seeing my little guy changed me forever.

These past 9 years have been such a joy to be the mom to a boy filled with so much love, happiness, kindness, curiousity,  and compassion. He has spoiled us so much as parents. Colin and I can be so different with his outgoing nature and need for cuddles; but we are also so similar with his endless talking and positive outlook. I am so thankful that we were destined to be mom and son.

Baltimore Acquarium

My Goober

I never get enough of that smile

Such a great big brother

My loves

Love my family

His first time to the Atlantic ocean

Love these two

He has such a kind soul

~ Love, Hugs &; Kisses ~ The B Family

Meli Turns 5...Oh My!!

As usual, a little behind on my post. So much is going on that I want to write about, but finding the time proves to be difficult lately. I am attempting to catch up this week. We will see…

Meli turned 5 in the beginning of May. Oh my goodness! Slow down baby girl! She has morphed right under my nose into a full blown kid. Still with some lingering toddler traits that are so cute and that I am so thankful for. I can just see certain stages passing us by. Unless, something changes she will be our last (you just never know with us) and that just breaks my heart a bit. I am glad to be done with a lot of things from those stages, but there are so many things I will dearly miss. I am sure most people think this, but even though I was always aware to pay attention and remember these moments…I still feel like it was not enough. Like did I really enjoy them as much as I should have or did I do enough to keep the memories with me?  Anyone who reads my blog knows that I definitely take pictures and write about all things mundane and thrilling. I also keep a journal for each kid (which I do need to be even better at) and other things…but it does not change the fact that they are gone.

I am excited for the next stages. I love that Colin is reading so well and enjoying books that I loved as a kid. Meli is learning so much at pre-school and is ready for Kindergarten.

Anyway, back to her birthday. She celebrated for over a week. On her birthday, we celebrated with friends. We had a big pasta dinner with the band and some family. One of the band significant others had a birthday on the same day as Meli, so we combined the celebration. Here is a video of Meli being sung to by the band. She loved it!

We spent a day at Wildlife Safari (which I wrote about previously). Then on the weekend, we had a kid party at Get Air. An awesome trampoline play area. There are ball bits (well more foam squares), trampoline floors, etc.

Meli had a blast! Oh my pure joy. It was fantastic watching the kids just having so much fun!  She slept very nicely that night. I could not get her to drink water during, so you can see in the picture with her friends how much she needs it. She just kept saying “water”. 

~ Love, Hugs &; Kisses ~ The B Family

I have an 8 year old!

"Children have the unforgivable habit of growing up" - Bjarne Reuter

My kids are growing up way too fast. Every parent says this and means it. Cliche', yes...but very true.  It is the inevitable truth about parenthood...and life. I cannot believe my baby boy is a year older! Where did the time go?! What were we doing to make one year go by so fast. Hell, two years, five years, eight years!...in two short years I will be adding ten years to that. Oh my!

 My son turned 8 a few weeks ago.  I have spent a lot of time these past few weeks watching Colin. Studying his personality. Focusing on what has changed over the years and what has remained. Overall, we have been so lucky to have our first child be so easy. Colin never had an ounce of the "terrible" anythings. His only real temper tantrum was when he was 5 and after he saw his little sister do one. I remember telling him. "uh, no! You have made it this far without doing that, you are not starting now" and that was that. Not that he does not have his "things". He is exceptionally good at finding loop holes and arguing. Like where he catches me all the time with a good argument. It is very painful to be schooled by a kid. I learned I had to be on guard with him. He is such a negotiator, which is both equally impressive and irritating.  Threats and stuff will not always work with Colin. Sometimes. He is one that needs it explained why he should do or not do something. The logic.  So his most difficult years have been lately. Not that he is difficult. He just talks a lot. Like. A. Lot. My mom says as a kid, I still have him beat, but I do not know. He questions everything, which can be very tiring for the parent. But...he is such a happy kid. A kind kid. I mean everyone is his friend. He has a very strong conviction for justice and being fair. I love his positive outlook and his loving nature. I hope. I pray that he does not lose that as many can when they get older and see the world for more of what it actually is. It can be difficult to keep that innocence of youth. That blind trust that all is OK and everyone is nice. When I think on Colin, I often find myself hearing that song from my youth about "I hope you dance". I truly hope that Colin does not "lose his sense of wonder" and that he continues to dance. His spirit is just so sweet and genuine. It motivates me to be a better person. I want him to be able to look at me and see that people can be kind to everyone and to live to try and send love out. Not negative. 

It is a work in progress, but one that I hope I can succeed in for my little baby boy. The one who is growing up way too fast for this mama.

I drew him some surprise Batman drawings. This is what he woke up to on his birthday.

"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself. " - Joyce Maynard

~ Love, Hugs &; Kisses ~ The B Family

My Birthday Week

I have decided that I am not a fan of duplicate numbers. I could not figure out why I was not excited about turning thirty-three. I was dreading actually dreading it somewhat. Thirty-two did not bother me and the idea of thirty-four seemed fine. I thought at first it was odd numbers, but I liked thirty-one. I probably would be OK staying thirty-one for a few years. I may remember that for next year. I will just start at thirty-one again. Why not?!?  Finally, it dawned on me that I was not a fan of twenty-two either. Or eleven. I do not like the same number repeated. Odd yes, but I have a year of being irritated by 33. Oh well, I am healthy, happy (knock on wood) and so I will not complain about my age. Plus, how often do you actually have to say how old you are? Most of the time I think of myself as still being twenty-six anyways. Or even twenty-one. The kids kind of remind me (rather quickly) that one is definitely not true.

I was able to have a nice spread-out week of celebrating. I started off celebrating by having a lunch and movie date with my mom. We saw the newest James Bond movie (I loved it). On a different day in the week, I had lunch with my little brother (Olive Garden of course - his fave). I also had a date night with Will (more on that), a lunch date with my dad (and shopping!), a trip to the Oregon Zoo, drinks with friends on my birthday (then a day of recovery), a family hike, and a family dinner with my aunt and uncles. Oh my! Such a busy, crazy week. I had such a wonderful time! I am so blessed with my family and friends.

The only downside is that I suffered from two more hangovers then I have had in a very long time. That rarely happens to me (for one, I do not usually drink large quantities), these two (in one week - horrible) were due to lack of hydration and weird combinations. I did not drink much throughout the days on both occasions. I also switched around more than I like to. One of the nights I had beer, then margarita (which I realized I am not a fan), and then to a cider with ice cream float thing. So good but horrible all together.

My date night with Will was so nice. We went to the Bier Stein in Eugene for pre-dinner drinks. We both did the flight (create your own) which was awesome! I loved the place and really want to go back. Then we headed over to Tacovore for dinner. I had an eggplant torta...seriously so yummy! For dessert, we headed over to Vanilla Jill's, where I had a hard black cherry cider with ice cream. OMG!! It is delicious!! I may have ended up sick later on, but man it was so worth it. Technically, I would not call this one a hangover. Oh, so I have only had a margarita on one occasion before. The drink itself was OK, but I do not like salt. Like, I do not even cook with salt. So the salted rim was horrible.

I am so grateful for my friends and family. I really felt so much love this week. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by amazing people. 

Next up, Colin's Bday week...



~ Love, Hugs &; Kisses ~ The B Family

The Hub's Birthday

Will's birthday was two weeks ago. He was a little down about stepping over the mid-thirty mark, but I explained to him that most guys getting better looking as they get older, and he was entering the prime age range for men. 

He mostly wanted items for his drum set. We obliged his request, but threw in a few surprise gifts that had nothing to do with music. One of them was the board game, Labyrinth. We have played a few times during family night and love it! He also got a PS4, which he is ecstatic about. 

For dinner I made this delicious enchilada dish, http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/search/label/mexican?updated-max=2010-11-09T16:17:00-08:00&max-results=20&m=1. It was seriously so good!

 I tried something different for dessert, a peanut butter chocolate tiramisu. http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2013/12/peanut-butter-chocolate-tiramisu-recipe.html?m=1

I sent the below pic to Will on his day. I thought it was so perfect for him.

His birthday morning was filled with excitement...as we were heading out the door to drop the kids off at a friend's  house (so we could go on a breakfast date), Colin closed the door before we had grabbed the keys. I cannot believe this was the first time it has happened. We have tested fate too many times with not having a spare out. Luckily, Will had left a window unlocked on the first floor. The only one I knew of was on the top floor and very high up. Colin was our hero by climbing a ladder and going thru the window! Meli wanted to try too!

The past year or two, I have been realizing more and more how blessed I am to have Will as my best friend and partner. He is such an intelligent, funny and incredibly talented man. I love him so much!

We ended the day by going to the movie night at the fire station. The kids had so much fun seeing the life flight helicopter, walking thru a a demo smoke-filled room, and seeing the jaws of life demo

It was a good day!