5 Amazing Years

Will and I are celebrating 5 years today!  Happy Anniversary honey!!! After a day of celebrating, he is finishing his football draft for fantasy (since I am the sweet wife that I am)...  We had such a great day.  We kept it low key, which was perfect.  I am still a little jet-lagged and we rarely get time alone without the kids...so we just had fun.  We had breakfast out, drank our coffee slowly (really enjoying it), looked around some shops, went bowling, played pool and enjoyed a nice lunch out.  A perfect day.  This was the first time Will and I bowled together.  I was horrible.  I have not played in years, but it was fun and something I would not mind picking up again. We try not to make celebrations about gifts.  I do not want to know that I am going to get some kind of jewelry every time we are celebrating something. Do not get me wrong, I love jewlery like most woman, but... I would rather that be a true surprise.  Plus, how often would I wear that many diamonds or other jewels. We do have fun following the traditional gifts.  Usually it is something small, but it is so fun trying to come up with clever little things.  This year was wood.  Since I was in Korea, I got some traditional wood masks for marriage.  I think they are adorable.  Funny but so cute.  Will got me the neatest wooden globe for our travel-themed guest room.  It is perfect and just want I needed.

I am so blessed to have such a caring and loving husband.  He is so good to me - he just spoils me with attention, love and gifts.  I am truly blessed.  To add to that he is so good to our kids.  Colin and Meli have lucked out so much in the father department.  I fall in love with him even more when I see how he is with both of them. 

Here is us 5 years ago.  It has gone by so fast.

Here is us today...5 years later.

And us being silly...

Love you babe!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

 The B Family

These Hot Days

 On Sunday, we took the kids to the pool to cool down a bit in this heat.  I am so ready for fall to come. I have decided that I like warm weather for short periods of time.  There is a huge difference in how Colin was acting in the water this year compared to last year.   We had to almost drag him into the pool last summer but this time he wanted to go in and is really wanting to learn to swim.  In the picture above he is doing what he calls the "Dash swim" (reference from The Incredibles)...which means it is super fast and if you are with him you will get wet.

Meli loved the water.  She clung to me a bit but loved it when I would bounce her in and out of the water.  I have not looked to closely at this blog yet but this is something I found to help teach a child to swim, http://www.my-natural-motherhood-journey.com/teaching-a-child-to-swim.html. 

I am getting ready for my next trip...I am going to miss my little family so much...

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Dinosaur Land

This past weekend we took the kids to Dinosaur Land.  It was this cute little park that had really (really) old models of different dinosaurs.  Colin LOVED it...Well, after I convinced him that they were all pretend.  Little guy has such an active imagination.  It did not take too long to make our way through the place and even though our other plans ended up not working out...it was still a nice Saturday.  Colin enjoyed the adventure of driving somewhere special.  Meli is not the best in the car but surprisingly was not too bad this time.

Colin was very excited to get a picture with the "long neck".  Unfortunately, daddy failed to get the face of the big guy.

He thought the fight scenes were cool also.  He is very curious about death lately.  So, he pointed out each one that would have died. What a fun phase...but he assures me that dinosaurs do not turn into zombies, so we were safe.  I am not sure what kid at daycare introduced him to zombies...but darn you little kid.

For the most part, Meli was pretty oblivious to the dinorsaurs but enjoyed walking all over. Every once in a while she would notice one of the little ones that were more on her eye level. Then she told them what was what.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

A Crafty Weekend

This weekend the kids and I were able to do quite a few crafts. Yes, yes, they are from Pinterest...I know, I know...I cannot help it I am hooked.  Whoever came up with the idea - I am jealous...Such a good idea.

Colin and I did a firework painting.  We meant to do it before the fourth of July but did not get a chance since I was on a trip.  Here is the blog. It is a really cute idea.  We may try it again next year to send out cards. 

A craft idea that was a big success and very fun for both kids was this mess free painting. We taped them to the floor instead of a table.  Meli had a blast walking all over hers and Colin used his fingers.  He would get mad when Meli would walk on his.  Lesson learned - spread them out more next time so that baby girl could not walk so easily on both. It will give me more time to intervene.

We did not get a chance to do this one yet, but we are going to do it this weekend.  I think this project will be good for time-out.  Colin is doing blue and Meli will have a pink one.  They are going to love them! Another thing I love about Pinterest is that I get to find new blogs to follow.  I am thinking of following the Hippie Housewife...actually probably all three.  I love blogs!!

Oh, I have to add another recipe on this entry. It is a creamy tomato soup.  It was delicious!!  Absolutely delicious.  I actually stayed pretty true to the recipe but used crushed tomatoes with basil and then used fresh cilantro.  I hate wasting ingredients, so anything I could replace the past two weeks with cilantro (since I bought it fresh) I did.  Plus, I love cilantro.  The recipe is here. I love tomato soup. 

Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Brave - Movie Review

A while back we took Colin to see the movie Brave. Surprisingly, Will wanted to see it (even though it was Disney) but he was won over by the fact it was an Scottish story, the princess was one he could really respect, and he thinks Meli could look like her.  She may end up with some form of red hair and possibly curly.  Plus, she is already showing that she is very indepedent and tough.  The movie was really cute. The movie was like a Pocahontus or Mulan type of princess. After seeing it, Meli definitely shows some similar characteristics. Colin got a little scared during some of the bear scenes but overall really enjoyed it.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

A week full of pictures

Mae playing before dinner

Colin dressing up in his Marine uniform from his Uncle Greggie

Sibling mischievousness - throwing all of the stuffed animals off of Colin's bed.

Pretty flower for a pretty girl

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

 The B Family

Mama Loves to Cook

I have been on a roll with the new recipes this week.  My meal planning has improved immensely since school got out and when I am home for a good stretch.  I have also been trying to do more things from scratch.  Will and I both have a desire to get a way from all things boxed.  Inching my way closer to 30, I am also wanting to get serious about getting back in shape. I have lost the baby weight but now have the goal to get back to my high school weight (so 10 lbs to go).  Will and I are motivating each other so we are on a kick of healthy eating and working out. Working full-time and being a full-time mommy, I do not always have time for the gym but I love my 30 Day Shred video with Jillian Michaels.  It is only 20 minutes and a good workout.  I also like pilates. 

The recipes I tried this week are:

Southwestern Chicken Salad - I got this recipe from pinterest, but am actually following her blog now.   This was a delicious salad.  I mostly stayed true to the recipe for once.

Garden Salad w/Cilantro Lime dressing - I loved this recipe but Will and Colin not so much.  That was probably because of the lime and avocado.

Penne Rosa - This was a really good recipe.  I did change it quite a bit though.  I did not use shrimp...I went more for a veggie type pasta.  So, I added asparagus, green pepper, mushrooms, and green onions. This will be a repeat recipe most definitely.

Balsamic Potatoes -  Another really good recipe.  I changed out some of the herbs in order to use what I had in the cupboard.  I am also following this blog now.

~ Love, Hugs &  Kisses ~

The B Family

Master Colin Update

Colin is 4 years and 8 months now - I cannot believe that he will be turning 5 in November, which also means I will be turning 30...poor kid (haha). The things Colin talks about just blow us away sometimes. He hears random facts from his buddies at daycare...it is crazy to hear what they decide is fascinating to talk about and what they hold onto as interesting pieces of information.  Colin's dinner topics lately have been zombies, what dinosaurs eat, what all animals eat, death here and there (that one was different cause you know he has a fuzzy understanding of what that is), Michael Jackson, and so on.  Totally random topics.  A couple of weeks ago we ordered Chinese food and Colin got a fortune (from his fortune cookie) that said, "You and your wife will be very happy" and he was like, "oh! Cool!".  I was expecting him to be like "ewww". 

His favorite things right now are hot wheels, Star Wars, dinosaurs, legos and superheroes.  We have been watching the Star Wars movies (the original three) as our weekly family movie.  We just finished Return of the Jedi last night. He does not always do well with movies that are not cartoons, but I think because he knows all of the characters he is really excited.   The other day when him and I were going to pick up Meli, he told me my new car was an x-wing and we were going to pick up Prince Leia (Mae).  He was Luke Skywalker and I started out as being a teenager (no idea) and then he, "no no, you are an old person" and I was like "eh what?"...he quickly said "for pretend of course".  I told him "Good, because your mom is not old".  Then a few minutes later he said I was a girl R2-D2 and I would have to talk like he does. At least I was not old anymore.

Little guys memory just amazes me.  He knows all of the main songs for Star Wars...he is crazy good at remember lyrics for songs.  His favorites right now are "Let Me Introduce You" by 311, "Horchata" by Vampire Weekend and then randomly "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga.  He also knows quite a few Michael Jackson songs because his bestie and daycare is really into him and Lady Gaga.

Grammie sent Colin Hulki hands for earning his next belt in TKD.

Hulk SMASH!!! Excuse the mess we were purging.

Colin's cousins gave him their accordion.  Colin LOVES it!!

Colin as Spiderman

Meli and Colin during one of our weekly dance parties.  Dancing to "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. 

Colin loves to dance and is currently into the air guitar.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

 The B Family

Princess Meli

Update time!  Let's start with the youngest...

Meli:

She is 14 months now. Talking her little talk and then throwing big words out when she feels like it.  She can say baby lion, up, shoes, bow, puppy, nana (banana),tiger, hey, hi, me-me, take it, eat,diaper, poop-poop, this please and Mae Mae. Baby girl loves to rough house.  After storytime, Colin and her will pretend to be lions (Mae is the baby lion) and they growl at each other and then take turns getting one another.  It is super cute.

Even though our little princess has the cutest little personality and is usually in a very good mood, laughing and smiling all of the time - she is starting to throw tantrums.  This is a whole new area for us in the world of kids.  Colin never went through that phase.  So we are learning.  One thing she does is funny but of course we do not laugh...sometimes I smile but I cover my mouth...she only does it to Will for some reason, but if he says no or gets her in trouble, she stands there very quiet (preparing for the scene that is about to unfold)... Then she slowly gets a pouty face and proceeds to start crying like she has been really hurt.  She looks at daddy and then me.  It is so funny.  I think she believes she has Will wrapped around her little finger, which she does...but man she learned that one early.

Mae loves Colin so much.  She thinks he is the funniest thing ever.  He can make her smile no matter how upset she is.  She also likes to mimic him.  So he will do a face and then she will. They actually have a little routine down that is super cute.  Another thing that cheers her up is going on a walk.  She loves it.  Calms her right down. We usually do a nightly walk, unless it is just too hot and humid. 

I need to weigh her but I am guessing around 22 lbs. Actually I weighed her tonight and she is 20.5 lbs.  Here are some recent pictures:

4th of July weekend at a friend's house

Enjoying a cupcake at Grandma Liz's new house

All dressed up to go to Grandma Liz's house

We had a picnic brunch at the park today.  Mae had a blast running around while Colin kicked his soccer ball with daddy.

Exploring.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Petting Zoo II

  We are on a staycation this week and have been trying to do fun things with the kids while still getting a lot of house stuff done. Not an easy task even without the "fun things". Finally we are going to start remodeling our kitchen...so we have started the planning process.  We are also doing major purging and some yardwork.  Busy, busy, busy. To take a break from all of this, Will and I took Colin to the petting zoo yesterday.We were able to go on the wagon ride that we missed out on last time when my mom was visiting.  It was so worth going back for.  The wagon takes you into this open area that has camels, zebras, bison, cows, antelopes, deer and on and on and on.  They would come right up to the wagon and eat from our hands.  It was so neat.  Colin just loved them. Perhaps a little apprehensive of the big guys but he still enjoyed watching us feed them. Here are some pictures we took (excuse the iphone quality) of our little friends.

The zebras were the only ones they said not to hand feed. That is because they were the only animals in this area that have both a top and bottom set of teeth.  More painful if you happen to get bitten...don't you know.

Will and I really liked this guy.  I thought he was just so cute and friendly. He hung out with us most of the time...

Until big horns came along.  I felt so bad for this guy. How awkward would a set of these be?  They were HUGE!

Cute little guys.  These two were actually raised in the barn there.  So they are really friendly and comfortable around people.

This is a bison getting all close to me.  He was even licking my feet.

Poor guy. This just seems like a mean trick from the powers to be.

Will and the bison.

I want a baby pig.  Preferably the smallest one laying down...but I want him to stay that size.

This is Cracker Jack the camel.

I loved the bird walking exhibit.

Will's little friend.

He wants more food.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family