The Kids' Reading Corner

Colin saw me writing about some of the recent books I had read and asked why I did not do the same for the books I read to them. So, here it is The Kids' Reading Corner. We tend to read a lot of books as a family. The kids each pick out some from the library, then I will grab some to keep it interesting (or if they need to hear about a specific topic). 

Here are some of their favorites.

They tend to like books by Cynthia Rylant. She does the Poppleton series and Mr. Putter and Tabby. We have read all of the ones at the library, so we may have to order some. They are a good introduction to chapter books. Each one being only a few pages and they have pictures. This allows me to read some that are somewhat more Colin's level and still include Meli. 

Meli loves the Jan Thomas books like What Will Fat Cat Sit On. She likes the simple sentences that she can repeat after me or even memorize. Plus, they are funny.

We all LOVE the Piggie & Gerald books. Mo Willems is amazing!! Will and I will read these together. The kids love our voices for the characters (especially Will's Gerald). Meli loves to be Piggie in these books. Again, simple sentences and art. I highly recommend these books. 

I have to throw in the classics, of course! I also like to choose books that relate to something I can talk about. For example, with Make Way for Ducklings, I can talk about going to Boston and seeing the statue celebrating this book. The kids like what Colin calls "Text to World connection". 

I really enjoyed the Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns book. It is a very simple color book, but it introduces the kids to a different culture/religion. That is something that is very important to me. Especially with the current climate of politics and everything. I want to teach love and respect. Meli picked this one out. She is very attracted to bright colored covers and interesting art. She tends to pick ones that are non-fiction and about religion. 

Until next time....pleasant reading!

                                                Love & Hugs,

                                                 The B Family

My very late Welcome 2016 Post!!

I think this is the latest that I have written my "welcoming the new year" post.

As a family, we all got into making resolutions for the upcoming year. Below are a few of our resolutions for 2016

The B family:
*We need to be better at making family time. Even when life gets busy.
*Keeping our designated family night each week.
*Having the kids help out more with cooking and planning our meals. (They are both learning about GO Foods and WHOA Foods).
*Be even better explorers. (I keep forgetting to post my Portland area hikes. Multnomah Falls, the Columbia River Gorge, and Wahkeena Falls are so beautiful!  I am hoping to move that exploration to the southern parts of Oregon (I love Crater Lake) and maybe some surrounding states. I want Will to see California, Arizona, maybe Utah. It would be fun! 2016 the year for adventure!

Colin:
*Try to finish at least 1-2 chapter books a month.
*Keeping his room cleaner.
*Trying harder at listening and following directions (a tough one for him)

Meli:
*Saying Please and Thank you more often (she has let this one go a bit).
*Using her words when she is mad about something.

We will see how this goes. They both seem excited about it at least.

Sending happiness and light to all the readers, friends and family! I hope that you all have an incredible year, filled with joy and peace!

Big Girl Meli

I cannot believe how big Meli is getting. She will be turning 5 in just a few months! Kindergarten will be starting in September. Oh my! I may just cry when she starts. I really did not think that was possible, but it actually may happen. We were able to start her in this kindergarten prep class. Meli is so excited to go. I think it will be very beneficial for her. Colin turned 6, two months after starting school and Meli will not be 6 until there is one month left of school. I think it really helped Colin being one of the older ones. I remember seeing a big difference in some of the younger kids when he started kindergarten. So, I think any extra help will be good for Meli.

Around Christmas, we went to a local Elk's Club Santa dinner for the kids. It was really neat all that they did for the community. Each kid got to pick a toy and then were entered into a drawing to win a bike. A girl and boy won a new bike for each age group. Meli won!!!  It was perfect timing because her other bike was getting too small. We took her out today to test it out. She did such a good job on the bigger bike! I am so proud of her. 

           ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                    The B Family

NPR Music's Little Desk Contest

My husband's band, The E.L.P (or The Elena Leona Project) is entering a video in NPR Music's Little Desk contest.

I am so proud of them for taking this step. They are such a fun band to watch and be around. Here is the link to their video on youtube. Check it out! If you enjoy the video, show them the love by liking it on youtube!

Until next time...

Happy Holidays from the B Family (a little late)

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love from family and friends. This time of year can really be uplifting. It also can be hard when you are away from parts of your family. I miss Christmas in Virginia. I am hoping that soon we will be able to go spend the holiday back home. Will thinks it is funny that I say "back home", but for almost 7 years it was my home and it felt more so then other places I have lived. That is where we got married, started a family...yes it is "home".

Back to Christmas. We had a lot of fun, memory making moments. The kids and I went to a friend's house to decorate waffle cones like Christmas trees. The kids had a great time being creative and messy.

We had the kids help us paint the beams for their tents. They had no idea what the wood was for (we kept saying it was a secret), but they had fun just painting. 

As a family, we did a lot of baking on Christmas Eve. That was messy, chaotic, and fun!

On Christmas Eve, we let the kids open a pair of pajamas and either a Christmas book or movie. They were excited about their pajamas. I bought the book pictured below for Mae, because I thought the little blonde girl on the cover looked like her at that age. Too cute!

On Christmas Eve, P-Pa and Mi-Ma came over for dinner and desserts. While they were here, it started snowing!!! Kind of a white Christmas! Will always hopes for a snowy Christmas. One of the things I love about him! We sadly had to miss the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church, but time just got away from us. Next year, Colin and I were very excited about the church Christmas songs.

Christmas morning, I was surprisingly the first to wake up. I was just watching the time go by, wondering when the kids were going to wake up. That was so unexpected.

I know that Christmas is about so much more than presents, but as a parent it is neat being able to watch the pure joy on your children's faces when they see what they got. 

This year seemed to be all about Legos for Colin (and Star Wars). While Meli mainly got My Little Pony (Equestrian Girls) and Frozen. 

They also got some neat techy things from the east coast family. They love their voice changer.

My mom made the kids each a pillow bed. They will only sleep on those now! The things are super comfortable. I kind of want one!

My mom came up for breakfast (pumpkin cream cheese bread) and opening gifts. Later in the day, we headed over to my dads for dinner. It was nice seeing the kids with their younger cousins. Meli was really good with Abel and Miles.

Colin and I keep up with my tradition of hot jello! I got to enjoy it in my new boot mug! Will thinks the concept is so weird, but I love it. Now that I am older, it is a way too much sugar for me- so I just do it the one day a year. 

I am totally stealing Meli's mask!

It was definitely a memorable holiday season. I am so thankful for the time spent with family and friends. 

Happy Holidays! Sending love and hugs!

                               ~The B Family

Let's find snow!!

It was cold!

My brother (Greggie) and I took the kids to Diamond Lake for a day in the snow. It was kind of a drive from where we live; since my brother works nights, we came to him. It was definitely worth the drive. I have always loved going to Diamond Lake. The last time is probably close to a decade ago. 

In her element

 The kids had so much fun! Meli is my fearless snow cub. We played for a few hours, then warmed up by the fireplace in the lodge. Before leaving we wanted to take pictures of the lake. It had an inch or so layer of ice over it. Not deep enough to do ice fishing, but it sure looked surreal. Getting to the lake took some effort. The wind was pretty strong and it was blowing snow dust at us. Meli could not walk because of the snow dust and the fact that the snow (at this spot) came up to her belly button. I was carrying her with her face hidden in my neck, while walking in snow up to my mid-thigh - and not able to see due to the snow dust! Took way too long to walk 40 feet, but it was an adventure for the kids. Plus, I got to take pictures. I will hopefully post a few from my SLR later.

Such a fun day

King of the hill

Siblings

Loving the snow

Her happy place

Melli is like me and prefers to be cold. I like tropical, warm places but I am not one who turns the heater on very often or needs to bundle up. I usually wear layers everywhere because I just run warm. I started wearing tank tops in the winter to most of my friends houses because I get to warm. Meli is the same way. She prefers to always be in just her underwear no matter the temperature. She hates wearing jackets and sweatshirts. The snow was perfect for her.

Trying to find the lake (right below the hill she is on)

The snow dust

No fear

Until next time...

Love & Kisses,
The B family

How is it ALMOST Christmas?!?!

December arrived way too fast! November seemed like a little blurb. Although, I was not ready for it, I do love this month and all that it brings. We have been able to enjoy little moments with the kids that make all of the stress and headache of other aspects so worth it. I love my family and my memory making times with them. 

Memories like:

Setting up old Lionel. 

Our train around the tree

Picking out and decorating our tree. Meli really enjoyed picking where ornaments would go. She did a little better at not having them all on one branch.

One of my favorite things

I love our time of pulling out each ornament and talking about their stories.

Colin loves his growing responsibilites

Last year, we saw Santa at the local fire station. Meli thought that he lived there for a while. Since July whenever we would pass the station, she would ask "when is snow and Santa visit?". She was so excited to see him. She made it a little easier this year, instead of a request for a "purple present" she asked for "Anna and Elsa".

Santa!!

The weather has finally started to turn cold here. It still is not too bad though. We did have snow the other day! Post pictures soon. Our walk to see Santa was a little cold. I love Meli all bundled up. I just wish she did not mind. It is so hard to keep her shoes, socks and coat on. Such a stinker.

Silly faces

Colin thankfully likes being bundled up. My cute little boy!

Cuteness

Snow days! When they appear. Last year, I don't believe we had any.  Meli is serious in the picture because Will threw a snowball and hit her fingers. She was not happy. Both Will and I think that Mae Mae is a perfect snowboarder name. Don't you agree?! Just look at her...she so could be a little snowboarder.

snow day!

Baking cookies with the kids is a lot of fun. I am not the best baker (I hate following recipes), but we tried a Swedish Fingerprint cookie.

Baking cookies

Meli found an elf hat at the dollar store, which happened to match mama's new jingle bell socks she won at Bunco Ladies' Night. So, she stole my socks. She is a cute little elf.


Fun Christmas clothes

A Simple Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was very low-key for us, which was a welcomed change. It was nice to just take it easy. I still spent most of the day cooking, but I love to cook (especially with my mom)...so that was fun in itself. There is so much to be thankful for this year. I am blessed with such a wonderful,supportive husband, two sweet kids, and am surrounded by wonderful friends and family.

I love when the kids help me in the kitchen. Meli was so cute trying on my apron. Life is such a beautiful thing!

I was able to make my own table runner this year for Thanksgiving (and Halloween). It was made even prettier by such a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Perfect for the holiday. 

I think I started a new tradition by making fresh strawberry muffins for breakfast. They turned out so delicious! Here is the recipe. 

I know it is a little late, but I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spent with family and friends! Sending blessings and love for the rest of this holiday season!

Family visitors

Walking around town

This weekend our family was blessed with a quick visit from the kids' Aunt Teddy and Uncle Roger. They split their time in France and the East Coast, so we do not get to see them too often. We really enjoyed catching up and being able to show them a small portion of Oregon. 

Excited for the new issue

Teddy writes for France Today magazine. The picture above is the October/November issue. I was able to read her article finally this morning, such a creative and wonderful piece. She also writes on her french shopping blog (www.peopleplacesandbling.com) and for Eurocheapo.com. I love reading her unique perspective. 

 A sweet little gift left by our houseguests.