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

Time Lapse: Mi-Ma's Backyard

Meli was funny with the squirt guns. She mostly just drank out of it.

This past April marked 5 years since we moved back to Oregon. Meli's first time seeing our beautiful state and (in my opinion) finding her home. I think Colin could fit in to either state, but Miss Mae definitely has a PNW (Pacific Northwest) spirit. 

My sweet, sweet boy

Good ol' Facebook provided me with a little walk down memory lane of that first month back home. What a fantastically, sweet time with my kiddos.  I was fortunate to be home with the kids for a few years before going back to work and I am so grateful for that period. I am so glad to be back to work now, but it was perfect timing to have that before school started and to help adjust to a new life.

That first summer, we spent a lot of time outside in MiMa's yard. Sprinklers was Meli's favorite thing. 

As the kids seem to be aging at such a rapid pace, I have been loving the memories from those first few years. We all have adapted to being in a new state. I think Colin took the longest since he had more bonds with East Coast family. Meli was not quite 2.

We also lived a block away from one of the local schools, which was a perfect place to take the kids. The air rocket launcher was an enormous hit!

Meli turned 7 this month, and I feel like it is closing a chapter. More about that in a future post. Mama is being emotional this month!

Charlie's First Year

In February, we celebrated Charlie being in our lives for a year. Our little guy has brought so much change and love to our home. The kids think of Charlie as a younger brother. He provides the typical ups and downs of a younger sibling. He takes their toys and shoes. He repeatedly bugs them when he wants to play.

Will has gone from extremely anti-dogs to a major dog-lover. He even shows the kids puppy videos and likes them! Charlie and Will are buddies. It is adorable to see. This has made me so happy, being a huge dog person. I love the cuteness. I did not think I could fall more in love with him!

I am so glad that Charlie was the one out of the litter that stole my heart. With his diagnoses of Addison’s disease, I am glad that he ended up with a family that could provide for his medical needs. He seems to be doing well and adjusting to the prednisone and monthly shots.

Happy first year in the B Family!

Until Next Time...

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

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

My Little Witch

I am so far behind on my posts. My goal was to write one per blog each week. That is totally not happening at the moment. Work has been extremely busy, but I am hopeful that it is calming down soon. Need to be thankful for the periods that make you realize how nice you have it. My job is usually very flexible and allows for me to have a lot of family time. This last month not so much, but I am grateful that most of the time it does.

These pictures are from October. Seems like ages ago. I love watching Meli play when she does not know that I can see her. She gets lost in her own world of make believe and it is just magic to witness. I love her playful, creative, imaginative side. I am glad that the kids get so much use out of their costumes well pat October. Totally worth the money.

She was playing "potions". Meli loves to use my kitchen items to play pretend with. Yes, there is a bottle of beer in the picture. Yes, she was playing with it. It is part of our Halloween decorations. We have collected over the years some cool fall/Halloween beer and wine bottles.

                                                            ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                    The B Family

BatDog Love

Meli picked out a Halloween costume for Charlie. Batdog to the rescue! She wants us all to be a superhero for Halloween. Will was beyond thrilled...then she says, "well I really want to be a kitty". Colin thought we should all be pirates (we do have more than enough "piratey" things for all of us to be one). Meli then added that mama and her could be kitty pirates. This will be interesting I am sure.

Charlie met his first female dog today...and blew it. Poor guy.

We have all been sick off and on the past two weeks, so poor Charlie has so much puppy energy and no one to play with. He has been acting out a bit. It is maddening but also kind of hilarious how toddler-like dogs can be.

Will told me the other day that maybe Char Char needed a friend! My mouth basically hit the floor! He said that maybe he is a dog person and just never knew it. He was even thinking of a lab or something. Oh. My. Goodness.

The kids wanted to have a chance to name one if we got another. Last time we vetoed Chewey and Blue Claw. Will said maybe Scott. No one really liked my Homer, Walter, Harvey, Otto, Francis, Atticus, Walden, or Alfred. Well Atticus and Alfred were put as maybe's. I love names that were popular in the 1880's - cannot help it...and some favorite authors/literature characters.

We will see if the B family adopts another family member. I do love seeing Will treat Charlie like one of his babies. So cute.




                                                   ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                              The B Family

B Family NFL Challenge

This year Will wanted to try a family challenge for football season. We called it the B NFL Challenge

Each of us had our favorite team and then we got to pick one more. Whomever has the best record at the end of the regular season will get a trophy. Then we will have a prize for the team owner that gets the furthest in the playoffs.

The kids really got into it.

Meli chose the Blue Kitties (Panthers) and Cheetahs (Jaguars). Anything kitties for her. She has consistently liked those two teams though.

Colin chose Jets (his favorite) and Falcons.

Will's teams are Washington Redskins and Chargers. I chose Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. Totally accidental that I chose two bird teams. I do like birds though.

                                                        ~ 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

Charlie Helps Out

Originally, we had planned to go away for the last weekend of summer (Memorial weekend)- but with all of the smoke from the surrounding fires, we decided to stay in the house for most of the time. The air quality was getting so bad that we were trying to minimize the outdoor excursions for Charlie and the kids.  

I loved having a weekend of no plans. We took our time on breakfast. The whole family got involved. Colin and Meli (Charlie & Will) all helped with the buttermilk biscuits. Poor Charlie was covered in flour by the end of it. 

I love these moments. It can be easy to forget how much fun it can be to do simple things. Kneading dough, is a blast for kids and a wonderful sensory activity. For Colin's age, (and even Meli's) to start looking at measurements and fractions. I loved as a kid learning the basics of cooking. 

The Joy of a Cardboard Box

Will and I ordered a new mattress the other day - One of those adaptive foam ones that come in a box and needs 24 hours to get back to its normal form. Tuft & Needle is one of the companies that sell them. I love their return policy! If you are not satisfied they send a replacement or refund your money, and then they work with you to have it sent to a homeless shelter or charity program. Awesome work ethic! I love companies like this. Ones that are aware that they can make a difference in communities.

Anyways...it came in a big (BIG) box that entertained my two kids and puppy (even my husband for part of the time) for several hours! Cheap, simple fun! Gotta love it!

Both kids were in the box for most of the time. Charlie loved running around it and trying to get in. I am fairly certain that he would not have actually gone in. Our little scaredy cat.

     

                                                  ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                   The B Family

The Zoo & Old Friends

Friends

We took the kids to the Oregon Zoo yesterday. I have said this before, but I am torn about how I feel about zoos. I want to like them, but at the same time I feel for the animals. I am imagine they just want to run free.  But, what if they were in the wild and did not live long. I know some of the animals at the Oregon Zoo are rescued from their natural habitat. There is an elephant that had her eye shot from a farmer that took over her rain forest. The made me like it more. Colin was so distraught over that story.

Silly

My shadow

Anyways, we went to the zoo to meet up with some of Will's old friends. His fire academy buddy, Joel and his wife, Bobbie. For the past 12 years or so, I have heard stories about some of Will's favorite people. It took us this long to finally meet up. We had tried in DC, but it did not work out. I am so glad it did! What a sweet and lovely couple! Their kids are adorable too! It was nice seeing Will in his element and get a glimpse to him in his Air Force days.  We talked about a few other meet ups this summer... I hope it works. Fingers-crossed for Leavenworth and Seattle.

My babies

She loves this thing

Alligator

Puppet show

Owl

                                                          ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                 The B Family