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!

Kids' Canvas: A Pot of Gold Watercolors

Usually throughout the month, the kids and I can squeeze in a few different art projects. Most often with Meli. Colin will join for at least one, especially if it has to do with a holiday. This year for St. Patrick's Day, we did a pot of gold.

We were short on time, so I used some big magnets we had to trace the pot of gold and three-leaf clovers. The kids used color crayons to color them in. Then, we went over them with watercolor.

Meli also traced a Fluttershy

Colin also drew a Link from Zelda. He traced the outline from a magnet.

Until next time...Happy Creating!

 Love, Hugs & Kisses ~ The B Family

Reliving My Youth

Colin is playing basketball this year and I could not be more thrilled! Basketball was one of my favorites sports growing up. I forgot how much I enjoyed the sport. I love taking him to his practices and games. We have been trying to make it out to his school to play each weekend. This has been great for me to get in better shape. I am working out without really thinking about it! Bonus!

I did experience my own funny mom moment. Or maybe more of a “I am getting older” one. I was going to show Colin how to do a lay-up. Right before I did it, I realized that I have not done this in probably 15 years. So, I said to myself a quick, “please do not let me fall on my…” Thankfully, I did not. Pride intact.

I am loving this opportunity to bond with Colin. We now have books and basketball. I even created a GoodReads account for him to track his reading. I love my little book nerd and basketball player!

Until next time... Keep Playing!

Love, Hugs &  Kisses ~ The B Family

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

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

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

On to First Grade...

It is such a big step once you are past the Kindergarten year with kids. All of the sudden they seem to grow over night. Meli seems a little younger than Colin was at the same age, but that could be due to first child. Also, Colin was a little more advanced with communication skills.

I am hoping that Meli will have a great year and will blossom after a few months of her eye therapy. We had a meeting at her school to set up a 504 plan. I think it will help out tremendously. It is just for basic classroom things that will help her out. Her learning has not been affected enough to warrant out of class assistance.

I love watching her transform into this (little) big girl. When she asks me about makeup (poor her for being stuck with a mom who does not wear a lot and knows nothing), or to help me cook, or for some art time. That is my favorite. I find myself trying a little more to wear nail polish or to put on make up. I can tell how much she likes to sit in the bathroom and watch the process.



                                                       ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                The B Family

The 4th Grade Change

My little goobers started school earlier this month. (I started this post the day after school started but have been slammed at work)...

 I am now a mother of a 4th grader, which sounds very different from a mother of a 3rd grader. At least in my mind. He is now at an age where I can remember what I was thinking at that age...just oh boy! Time really moves so fast as a parent. My son is talking to me about "date jackets", girls, and the horror of Trump. When did we get to girls?!? And when did he get such formed opinions?!? 

Definitely mine and Will's son. We are two very opinionated people (although I think we balance well when to share and not to). Our parenting strategy has been to express our opinions to the kids when asked but we try to discuss both sides. We will say what we believe or think, but emphasize the importance of knowing for your self and what your thoughts and beliefs are. We will also touch on the fact that some people would not agree with what we think. We do this with God and the Bible too. I explain that I choose to believe what I do, but not everyone does.  His recent discussion about Trump was prompted by a title he saw of an article about DACA. 

Gone are the days where Will and I can spell out words to each other. We are now adjusting to a child that is a great reader and has a better understanding of right and wrong. He has been reading for a few years now, but he can read the big words and understand what they mean.  Like the other day, I had him text Will while I was driving. Totally forgetting what name I have for Will in my phone.  Colin read to me what Will had texted then says, "My Lover...huh?!" Oh my. 

I was thrown off by the "date jacket" reference. In the picture he is wearing my old OSU jacket from when I was a 3rd/4th grader. I asked him to explain what a "date jacket" was. He said, "you know those jackets guys who play sports wear on dates"...A lettermen's jacket! 

I imagine that we will have some interesting times coming up. Navigating what is age appropriate and different level of understanding. Plus, all that he picks up from his schoolmates. 

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. 

A New School Year

School was able to start yesterday in spite of the smoke and poor air quality. They did keep everything in doors for the day and we did have the option to keep them home. I am sure the kids were not thrilled to have indoor recess, but the smoke is fairly bad here right now. 

They had a great first day! I am glad I was able to drop them off (poor planning on me and I had scheduled a meeting for 9:00) and pick them up. 

A first grader and a fourth grader...oh my! I am excited to see what they learn this year, how they grow, and what adventures they take us on in our parenthood journey. Possibly slightly scared, but mostly excited!

I love my babies. Colin looks so much older with his new haircut. Meli is so much more stylish then I ever was. I would have been wearing Colin's outfit at her age! Colin is actually wearing my old jacket. 

I will post some cute stories about the jacket and other recent conversations soon...

                                                     ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                The B Family

Working as a Team

We are working together to make sure that Meli is successful with her home therapy. Most of the time, we all do it together and try to make it fun.

When she has to do the duck feet and pigeon feet (in & out placement), we put on music and do some dancing as well.

Another thing she works on is trying to pop a bubble straight on with one of those old pick up sticks. We took a break (she has to wear an eye patch clasped over her glasses) by the kids and Charlie trying to eat the bubbles.

The Eye Therapist has done a great job at making the items fun. She gets to catch marbles, trace lines, pick up Cheerios with the same stick, etc.

There is only one she is not a huge fan of...well two. The duck feet/pigeon feet and the body movement on one on the floor. She lays flat down with her eyes focused on a spot on the ceiling. Then she moves both arms (touching the floor) up above her head. She also does this with her arms and leg. Then one arm and one leg. It is kind of like mimicking Leonardo's Vitruvian man sketch.








                                                           

Vision Processing Disorder

We may have some insight into why Meli seems to be extremely moody. She has a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing happening. I thought it was possibly due to being an introvert, which probably has something to do with it...but we recently found out that she has several eye disorders that are causing her headaches and extreme eye tiredness.

She got her eye glasses a few months back, which seemed to help some. She is far-sighted, so being able to see up close at school was an amazing thing for her. Her eye doctor wanted to check back in a month to make sure some anomalies were fixed with the glasses. At that time, she recommended taking a test with their Eye Therapist to see if she has some disorders.

They tested her:

Eye Movement control
Focusing Ability
Eye Teaming Ability (working together)
Depth Perception
Laterality/Directionality
Fine Motor Eye-Hand coordination and more...This involves (visual closure, memory, sequential memory, Spatial relations)
Visual and auditory screening (she had less than 10 % for visual)
Neuro Development Reflexes (Moro, Asymmetrical neck, symmetrical, and Head righting reflex)

Her Diagnosis:
Convergence Insufficiency
Ocular Motor Dysfunction
Binocular Dysfunction
Accommodative Spasm
Exotropia

The Eye Therapist mentioned that a lot of times kids do not get the correct diagnosis. Kids (and adults) come in with diagnoses of ADHD or being on the Austim spectrum...but some times it is there eyes are not functioning correct, which has a lot of impact on some brain functions and physical. A family member had thought Meli was possibly slightly on the spectrum. These disorders could explain why they thought that.  It is amazing what is affected by having these disorders.

She has difficulty tracking words horizontally (which can have a big impact on reading). This totally made sense to me. She loves to read the Piggie and Gerald books, but she will become very irritated when she tries to read other books to me. The ones are in very large print, which makes it easier for her to find the next word. The other ones were in smaller print and would cause her to get frustrated.

She also scores extremely low with visual instructions. This is used a lot at school. She was less than 10% accurate with the visual instructions. I am going to be meeting with her teacher to see what help she can provide.

She goes to eye therapy once a week (for about 7 months) and then we do home therapy everyday. It is scary to be told that your child has something that causes them to be developmentally behind and that can cause physical and mental tasks suited for her age to be difficult. We are very fortunate that this can be fixed and as most things that come at you...it could be worse. (Most of the time).

I am hopeful that this will work out and that she can learn to use her eyes correctly.






                                                                 ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                         The B Family

Mud Pies & Beyond

This little girl loves dirt! Whenever we are outside she goes straight for it and ends up with it all over her. I was very similar. I loved playing in the sand type dirt and making mud pies in the backyard.

It is a good look for her!

In a time when outdoor play seems a thing of the past and using just your imagination is almost unheard of, I am thankful for two kids with the ability to use theirs. I know that they would love to spend a lot of time on their tech devices, but they understand that we choose to limit that. There are days when they get way more than we would like (life happens), but for the most part they have a set amount. Sometimes they whine (especially Colin) but once they are on to the next task, they are really enjoying themselves. 

I love that they can both use their imaginations and like to see what they can explore outdoors. They love to hike and play in water. Meli is our little water baby and dirt connoisseur (for play not taste - well I am sure she has done that!).  Colin is our explorer and scientist. 

There are times when I just need to scream...but I am glad that these are the two that get me to that point. Will too! We all drive each other a little crazy at times, but we have fun together.

                                                         ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                   The B Family

Sorry Baby Girl...Mom's Hair is Curly

Opposites

Meli and I are a great example of opposites when it comes to physical features. She has blonde hair and I have super dark brown (almost black, but totally not black). She has super straight hair and I have super curly hair. She also has porcelain skin. I am not as tan as I used to be, having what I call my "Oregon tan" (basically meaning I am pale). I guess that is really the only three things, but it is enough for people to not pick her as my daughter.  There have been a few times, when I took one of her friends to the store with us or other public places and people always think the darker hair ones are mine. Not Meli.

I straighten my hair every once in a while. Usually when I get my hair cut. This last time, Meli asked me if I could put it back to straight after I had washed it. Not necessarily because she does not like it, but she wants us to look the same. She wants to have dark hair and for me to have straight hair. At least she did not pick for me to be a blonde. I do not think that look would work. At all.

It got me to thinking about how as a kid, I always wanted straight hair. I would have given anything to have straight hair like the other girls. Especially in Jr. High. I wanted to fit in by looking like everyone else. It is funny how we think when we are younger. I thought my hair was too different. Not that anyone ever said anything to make me think that. Usually it was compliments. As shy as I was though, I did not really enjoy the attention it would bring. Another contributor was probably all of the magazines that had girls with straight hair or the hair books in the salons that had mostly straight hair styles. When I was going for a haircut, I would always point to the super short, super straight hairdos. My mom would always have to break the news that my hair would not do that. I thought I always had to have the same hair style to work with my hair. Took my 30 years, but now I know that you can do different styles! I love my A-line. Although, that will probably go away soon, since I made a deal with Will and am growing it back out. He liked my hair cut, but he is definitely a long hair type of guy. I am sure I will chop it off again in a few years.

I think I was about 21 to 23 when I realized that I loved my hair! It was nice having something that made me different. Lots of people have wavy hair but probably quite a bit fewer with curly, curly hair. Or as Meli calls it "crazy hair".  Rather than when I was a teenager, I can now appreciate what makes us different.

Around 21.

I also realized that my hair works best for my personality. I need something that is not high maintenance, because I just do not do that. I need minimal time to get ready. I am not someone who will spend hours getting ready. I am irritated  if it takes me more than 30 minutes. My hair gives me the freedom not to wash it very often. I hate having wet hair and I do not blow dry...so once a week - hell yeah! (Caveat - I do shower daily). If my workout makes me sweat too much then this will not work as well.  Too much sweat = Frizz galore.

I do miss long hair

I was telling a friend that you can tell what day from my last wash I am by my hair style! Unless it has been raining a lot. Rain and curls - oh my! I will have to try and take pictures of the different stages.

There are some things I would change. I hate frizz, but that is just a necessary evil that is fixable. I know when it rains, I will not be having a great hair day...but I love rain - so I am OK with that. Sloppy bun day or a cute braid will do. It also takes me longer to get to the length I want. My hair grows super fast, but it also gets curlier the longer it is. It amazes me to straighten my hair and see how long it really is. 

Poor Meli. I am sure when she is older, she will learn to appreciate our differences. She also could eventually turn curly. When her hair is wet, she definitely has some texture to it. Unlike Colin's, whose is just straight when wet.

Maybe curls in her future

                                                         ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                        The B Family

Princesses do wear glasses!

Meli was hesitant this second time around with getting glasses. She told me that, "princesses do not wear glasses". She had said this when I did not have my phone on me, so I was trying to rack my brain for a princess that as some point puts glasses on. I thought maybe Jane from Tarzan. When I got home, I was hoping to get lucky with my Google search. I am so thankful for whomever decided to make pictures of all of the princesses wearing glasses!

For anyone whose little girl may ask the very same question - here you go... Princesses in Glasses



                                                     ~ Love, Hug & Kisses ~
                                                              The B Family

Holy Spectacles, Batman!

Several weeks ago, both kids had shown symptoms of poor eyesight or straining. Colin had some very obvious ones, so we took him in first & he came out with ordered glasses.

Then Meli went in a few days later with these ordered:

Colin's eyes are fairly bad (20/70 and 20/100) and is nearsighted. I was surprised by how high his numbers were. Thhe doctor said that this could have happened quickly with a recent growth spurt. He has transitioned very nicely with them.

 Meli eyes are not near as high, but due to a bad astigmatism in one of her eyes and being farsighted she has been only really using one of her eyes to see. That has led to straining it. Thankfully all is fixable and with glasses, maybe some of her moodiness will subside.

She has transitioned not as smoothly. Hopefully that changes, because she is the one that really needs to be wearing them all of the time. She lost her first pair within the two weeks of getting them! It bothers her when she gets sweaty and the glasses slide on her nose. So, during recess she asked a friend to put them in her overall bib pocket. Of course, they fell out somewhere on the elementary school playground.  We have the coolest vision center ever! We were able to replace the glasses at only the cost of the frames!! That saved so much money. Since our insurance already covered one frame.

So, now she has her second pair. Fingers-crossed that our kindergartner learned her lesson!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
        The B Family

The Kids' Reading Corner: Library Success!

We have had some successful library picks this month! I did find several them from a podcast I listen to and some were ones that caught my eye. 

From the top picture: 

Ratings 1= not so good, 2= OK, 3 = Awesome!!!

Owl Diaries #1: - This is a super cute book. Reading it out loud can be a little annoying with the "owl" made up words - like "owlerrific" but I am improving! There are already 5 or so of these books out. When I went back to get #2 they were all out. We picked up #5 that we are reading now. I do not think it is a series that has to be read in order. The art is adorable and the words per page are not a lot, which makes it perfect for Meli's age (5/6).

Colin = 3

Meli = 3

Mom = 3

Ninja!  - The kids loved this book! It was very cute and entertaining. 

Colin = 3

Meli = 3

Mom = 3

Just a Minute: I really enjoyed reading this one. It was very cute! Meli was a little confused as to why the skeleton wanted the grandma to go with her. It had a happy ending though.

Colin = 3

Meli = 3

Mom = 3

Without You: I picked this one, since I have a moody girl. I think the message was understood. Hopefully. Both kids liked the art. 

Colin = 2

Meli = 2

Mom = 3 (topic)

Dog Man: I did not read this book, but Colin did on his own. He loved it!! I got it since it is similar to the Diary of a Whimpy kid books, which Colin has read over and over. 

Colin = 3

The Parthenon: I loved how this book was organized and the information was great for his age. He is getting into mythology which makes this mom so excited. I did a minor in Greek Civilization, so right up my alley!

Colin = 3

Mom = 3

We finished the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. This has been our longest books we have tried to read out loud. Colin and I loved the book! We are excited for the second book. Meli enjoyed it on days that she paid attention more. The author had a very smooth writing style, which I love for read aloud books. I highly recommend this book.

Colin = 3

Meli = 2

Mom = 3

Everybody Loves Cupcake: Super cute book!! I loved the jokes, the kids did not get them all.

Colin = 3

Meli = 3

Mom = 3

Magnificent Magical Beast: Colin just read this himself. He loved it!

Colin = 3

Shh! We have a plan: The kids thought this was so funny!

Colin = 3

Meli = 3

Mom = 2

Meli loved all of the books above. I think the best for reading (Meli) are the Otto ones. I got all of these from a list of books that were supposed to be the level (1) that they say they are. I get frustrated with some of the early reading books that say one, but then have way too many words and not the easiest words. The four of these Meli could read on her own, with my help with a few of the words. 

Nuts in Space: This was a cute book. The order of reading was a little hard to know with all of the word bubbles. I love the incorporation of Star Wars and Star Trek. Very entertaining.

Colin = 3

Meli = 2 (grumpy)

Mom = 3

Very Red Riding Hood: A very cute book. 

Colin = 3

Meli = 3

Mom = 3

                                                              ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                         The B Family