Toothless Mae Mae

Meli lost her second tooth, but her first top front one. Right in time for pictures. She actually was sick on picture day and her other front tooth is loose...so maybe she will have both front teeth out for picture retake day!

I think it is the cutest look!

Mae was very sad, since she lost her tooth while eating spaghetti. I am fairly certain it was swallowed. She wrote a nice note for the Tooth Fairy.

                                                       ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                               The B Family

Straight from the Tree

Sunny Days

After 4 years of wanting to take the kids apple picking, we finally made it happen! We tried out a new farm that had a mechanical bull, fresh apple cider (and hard cider), corn maze, pumpkin patch, and apple orchards. I love our normal farm, but this one was fantastic as well!

Apple Picking

For the past several years, I have been trying to transition our life to as homemade as possible. I love the process and joy that comes from doing it all. I (personally) think we tend to lose something important with all of the conveniences that come with modern society. I totally understand the niceness of convenience. We get so busy, that is it great for something to make life a little easier. If I did not enjoy doing these things, then I am sure my opinion would differ.  I choose not to do most of the more recent online options. I do not shop Amazon (maybe once in the last two years & never books).  For no particular reason. It just is not something I want to do... Like the online grocery shopping. Yes, that would make it so much easier. I do not have a lot of time to go to the store to buy groceries - but not doing it myself would bother me. There is nothing wrong with using the service and  I realize that some people's situations make that a heaven sent. They should totally take advantage of the service. Finding time is difficult but I chose to make that time because (for some reason) it is important for me to do so. Even if it is at 5 am in the morning or 12 at night. We got to do what works for us.

Part of my need to do things my self come from my childhood. The memories that stand out for me are ones where I was doing something from scratch. Learning how to do something from the beginning. Whether it was making homemade pies with my dad or canning with my mom. Even though now, I am far from a hunter and loathe the idea of killing animals for food. I remember the whole process of when my dad would bring home a deer. It is definitely vivid memories. That could be why I was a vegetarian for several years and would go back to it in a heartbeat. I still appreciate the process.

Dad giving a ride back to the farm

Anyways, it is something that I have been trying to get back to (not the hunting). Our goal has been to get a way from all things process - as much as possible at least. I do have the constraint of working full-time, which makes it somewhat difficult.  I have been making a big effort in finding the time. Thankfully I do not really have a set schedule (for the most part) and it is pretty flexible. Plus, I am able to work at home some of the time. Not as much as my remote working husband. He helps me out with a lot of the things I would do for those 2-3 years when I was a stay-at-home mom. Love him.

Need a boost to reach the high ones

We like to make our own dressing, bread, biscuits, jam and we have started making our own applesauce. I grew up with so much canning. I loved going into our basement and seeing the rows of home canned peaches, pears, tomatoes, salsa, pasta sauce, green beans, etc. I am slowly getting back to doing all of those.

Daddy helps out

My mom went apple picking with us - and went a little crazy with the apples! She ended up with 3 buckets. Not counting the two the kids had. The kids were very excited to go. I was afraid that the pumpkins would distract them, but they were all about the apples.

Looking for the perfect one

It was a perfect day to go. I am glad we were able to make it work, because we have had straight rain since. I am thankful for the rain, since we definitely need it.

Simple tasks

When we got home we made our first round of applesauce. When we moved my mom stored all of my canning supplies for me, so I did not have those available. I am planning on making the rest soon and freezing instead.

Nature

Bonus: I also found some walnuts! This made me so happy! I grew up with a big walnut tree in our backyard and loved picking them. We also had a plum and apple tree. I really need to get some fruit trees.

Even the fallen ones are useful

Hand-picked

A good day

                                                       ~ 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

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. 

Let their Imaginations run wild...

My sweet uncle is getting ready to move to a retired veteran complex on the East Coast and has to purge a lot. My mom's family are extreme garage sale fanatics. With the exception of my mom. My uncle is more of the estate sale type and has come across some very cool and expensive furniture pieces. Being the sweetheart that he is, he offered to let us browse through his house and take (minus the limited items he is taking with him) whatever our hearts desired. David and I both love antiques and history, so it was very neat to see all that he had collected over his time overseas and in California. 

I am very excited to try and fit the different pieces into our home. We do not typically have a lot of furniture, so it will not be that difficult. Meli is thrilled to have a new desk. Well, antique desk...but to her it is new. It perfectly has two sides that open, so they both have their own area. I am in love with the china hutch and entry tables. Some of them will provide me with new refurnishing projects!

This weekend we did a lot of rearranging and purging. The kids really like the way the playroom/craft room is set up now. While I was purging, they found some old costumes that they had not see in a while. Out of nowhere I was being ambushed by two stealth ninjas! The ninja stars were thankfully plastic ninja turtle ones! They also came across their walkie-talkies...which did not seem appropriate for ninjas to have. Thankfully they were easier to track after that. 

It is amazing how much stuff can just collect. I think the kids had some good lessons in looking at what they have and realizing that others could use it more. Meli is still learning, but Colin is very concerned for those affected by hurricane Harvey and the refugees in sanctuary cities. 

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