Boys Toys

This is what happens when the lone male in our house decides to bring out the toys from his childhood to share with his girls...

Looks like G.I. Jen, er, I mean, G.I. Jane and the girls are headed out to run errands in the Cobra Commander cycle.

Odds and Ends (a.k.a. My Longest Post Ever)

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and our lovely little world is in full swing and I am in a savoring kind of mood, ready to appreciate the beauty and the love surrounding us before I'm too busy to give it a second thought. There are so many moments when I think, "I never want to forget how _____ (child's name) does ______" or "I hope I always remember how this feels," and in minutes I've forgotten to write it down and I'm already thinking about my next chore or someone is calling for me, and that treasured moment is lost. And thankful as I am that being a mother of 3 spectacularly fun girls ensures I experience many such lovely, heart-filling moments, I am so afraid to lose even one of them.

So, on that note, this post is an assortment of the little things that are making me smile, giving me succor and brightening my soul.

Thumb-sucking

I could write an ode to thumb sucking, I appreciate it so, and although I may look back on Madeline's habit and call it disastrous, (as might Uncle Tony, the dentist), right now it is fulfilling so many needs for both Maddie and myself. My poor third child falls asleep in the car or in the Ergo while running errands, far too often for my taste, and when I am busy making meals or helping a sister get dressed for school, that thumb provides great comfort for my baby girl until I can be with her. And although there is a ounce of mommy guilt that she needs the thumb for comfort because she's not getting enough from me, I can't let myself go there right now. And falling asleep sucking her thumb while her biggest sister is reading her bedtime stories? Priceless.

Licorice

Given that I've cut dairy and soy out of my diet, I should be losing some baby weight...but thanks to my friend Tracy, I have found a dessert replacement that seems to be fitting the bill. And since this licorice is cut into small pieces, I eat a couple and don't feel much guilt. Until I sneak back for another couple pieces. And then a few more. Insidious stuff.

Bizarre Weather

I find myself complaining because it's so insanely unpredictable and the girls and I are either sweating through long sleeves or chilled to the bone with goosebumps. However, when I look back at our activities in the past month, I've savored both the pull-on-the-sweater and be cozy for pumpkin patching moments as much as the frolic-in-the-water beach days in the November heat. (Yeah, like those two words could be more of a mismatch, right?) Only in So. Cal could my daughter crab-walk down the beach with her friends on an eighty-degree November day. But I'm really excited to break out my wool coat, tall boots and favorite scarves, so a few more blustery, cool days would be appreciated. The gorgeous orange and yellow leaves we collected last week seem to know it's Fall, so what's the hold-up?

Sisterhood

Never had a sister but always envied my friends with big sisters. (Sorry Matt, but I was looking to share clothes and makeup tips, not guidance on making a free-throw, no offense!) So getting to watch my girls create lifelong bonds is just beyond anything I could've imagined. I know their bonds will be stretched, they might get kinked or knotted, but it's a connection I hope they will always hold dear. And watching my big girls take care of Maddie and learn to be little mommies is pretty darn heart-warming too. I hope they remember all of their baby play; of rocking babydolls to sleep, and breastfeeding and baby-wearing, and they will use it someday to care for their own babies. (Paul is rolling his eyes right about now.

Big Families

I grew up in a small family with little extended family nearby, so marrying into a big, vivacious family has been a huge bonus. I think I fell in love with Paul's family soon after I fell in love with him, and I am thankful my girls get to be a part of the energy of a big family. On a recent weekend, we celebrated the engagement of Paul's cousin, Darcy, which meant my girls got to spend the day/evening with their cousins, second cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandma and Great-Grandpa, Leo. I grew up without knowing my Grandpas, so having a Great-Grandpa, and one living nearby, is pretty spectaular in my mind. We are blessed to have SO much family, close-by and ready to love on my girls at the drop of a hat.

Now that I've rambled on about my rays of sunshine, what's warming your days and filling your heart right now?

A Howlin' Halloween

What more can I say? We came, we saw and we conquered Halloween. The kids seriously DUG their Halloween costumes (and have worn them daily since the big event), we parents had a blast hosting our third annual shindig (although I could've done without the neighbor's creepy clowns and dragging shovel that spooked more than a few of us) and the newest superhero to grace this planet made his debut. Oh yes, Diaper Man was in full effect, much to the...chagrin?...wonder?...amazement?...of adults and children alike. And let me tell you, those green tights are a sight to behold...

Hopin' yours was as memorable as ours!

It's All About Timing

Things were looking bright for us Mowad ladies this week. A week off from school for Fall Break meant we had a week of great plans all lined up: get-togethers with friends we haven't seen in awhile, a tea party, a nature hike, a park day with Liv's class and a Halloween parade. I was feeling pretty good at having arranged so much fun for the girls, knowing it would ensure my sanity as well and make for quieter, calmer times at home. And I knew Paul had a major project at work this week that would mean long days and late nights and no help 'til bedtime, so I knew the busier we were, the better.

And then the insidious cold crept in. And by cold, I don't mean the temperature outside. The week began unraveling as I came to realize Olivia was congested, followed quickly with a nasty cough Monday evening. We woke the next morning to Malia's runny nose and I threw my hands up and surrendered to the virus, canceling all plans and realizing that this week had taken a turn for the worse. We were now homebound.

Wednesday morning we opened the door to this little beauty.


Adorned with fantastic drawings by my adorable nieces, Lexi and Brooke, this box was chock full of Halloween goodies, which have kept my girls happily occupied. The pumpkin lanterns have led to lots of imaginative play, including tromps through deep caves and spooky forests. They've dressed up and gone trick-or-treating with their new kitty treat bags, collecting all kinds of odds and ends to fill up their bags (Malia's sack weighed at least 10 pounds by the time she was done...and the girl only weighs 26 pounds, so she was doing some heavy lifting).
We've hung window clings, painted Halloween pictures and read and re-read some great Halloween stories that have us talking about haunted hotels run by a girly little pig and Elmo's pumpkin that looks alot like his fish, Dorothy.


Indeed, I am indebted to my thoughtful nieces and sister-in-law, not only for sending us a package full of fun, but for sending it just in the nick of time. Thanks for the box of goodies! Can't wait to see you in a month!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

HALLOWEEN!!

And we Mowads like everything about this time of year (except Fall Break...I mean, didn't we just start preschool less than 2 months ago?)

Is there anything better than half a month of activities leading up to a great holiday? We are busy hitting the Patch (can you ever have too many pumpkins?), donning costumes for dress rehearsals and pulling out the spooky spider webs in preparation for All Hallow's Eve.

And with the brisk, wet weather, even Southern California is in a Fall state of mind. There's a yummy batch of pumpkin bread on the counter, rain boots coated with fresh Patch mud sitting in the garage, and candles and flashlights dotting the house after a night of black-outs.

This year, with life seeming at it's fullest, we decided to go the store-bought costume route, quickly discovering that 2 and 4-year olds have decidedly strong opinions about their costumes and cannot be swayed without massive amounts of bribery (along with massive headaches). Here is a sneak peek of their choices, which are most certainly fitting with their personalities:

Alas, Maddie slept through her dress rehearsal.