Sunday, October 23, 2016

Belated Birthday Posts

Our babies are no longer babies! Happy 4th to Bryce on September 13th and 6 for Amelia on October 5th. Both had friends over for birthday playdate/parties. Bryce's friends were all Bulgaria speakers so that was a new experience for us, but it was a lovely time. Amelia had girls from her class join us for a "Royal Ball." Both gatherings were calm, peaceful and simple...which is exactly who try to be. The photos aren't the best because they are from my phone, but Jim has some proper shots on our camera that I hope to upload...maybe sometime before Christmas!

Bryce's cookie cake for school. His actual birthday cake was a puppy and ninja turtle cake. It looked like a child decorated it, but sadly it was all me!

Happy Birthday to our Boochie!

Bryce with some of his friends. The little girl, Katy, is his best friend. She took him under her wing when he was new and didn't know any language. They have been inseparable since.

Amelia was in charge of taking photos


It's easy to be entertained when there are lots of things to play with!

E-Invite 
Ribbon Wand Station

Beading Station

Amelia was sure she was going to wake up to a house fully decorated, so we did the best we could with what we had. She was overjoyed. 

I ordered these silly paper lanterns a few years back and we have used them for every birthday since.

Snacks anyone?

Amelia's cake turned out much better than Bryce's and was SO delicious...my best one yet.
It was a yellow cake and the icing was colored with raspberry juice.






Madras Lentils Anyone?

 This summer we were introduced to Madras Lentil packets from Costco while visiting grandma Mary Ann. The flavor and the fact that all ingredients are natural made my taste buds very happy. So much so that I was determined to learn how to make them myself. I found this great copycat recipe and was incredibly pleased with the results. They will definitely become a staple in our house!





Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Camping At Last

Our first Bulgarian camping experience is in the books! We ventured to a campground near Rila Monastery for a night back in August. It was absolutely beautiful, but very cold at night! Good thing we were all snuggled tight in our 3 man backpacker tent! Needless to say, we were cozy:)
Look at that backdrop!

Don't you love the stream in the background?


Posting this tent shot takes me back to our South America trip!

Bryce's favorite photo face

And now for a series of selfies!






No captions needed!

Flashback:First Day of School

Ok, technically these are not all front the first day of school, but they are pretty close. Year two for Bryce at Veseloto Gardje, his Bulgarian preschool in our neighborhood, which he absolutely loves. He was so excited to get back and see all of his friends. Amelia started kindergarten with many of her classmates from last year, but also a nice mix of new students. Jim moved up with his students to the middle school; this is where he feels more at ease. I am now the elementary school Instructional Coach, which is an exciting new learning adventure!   

You want me to stand still and take a photo? Haha good luck!

"Ready Confetti" for the night before Kindergarten 

Mommy's new office

Taken by Amelia, which explains the angle:)

Can you spot Amelia at our first all school assembly? 
She is holding the flag sign for USA.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

A Few More Summer Favorites

Ok, it's October and I am still posting things from summer! It might be time to move on and show what we have been up to, but I just can't not post you these memories from our time in the US...they are just too precious to be skipped. So, I will make this my last post from summer and sometime next week I will begin to post the kick-off of our second year in Bulgaria, which has been stellar!

Bryce aka Baby Puppy


Enchanted by the story of Pocohantas

Haske & Son Lawn Service

Amelia's best second hand find

Tie Dying with Fynn

Our weekend adventure to Norfolk and Newport News
Post zoo gift shop picture

At the Virginia Living Museum

So many great things to explore!

Curling up with grandma

Thursday, September 22, 2016