All is Quiet...

...which means our four year old might be:

but, more likely, she is creating and "decorating" (her words) something like this:

Day In, Day Out Insanity

The world of the stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) is glorified to those who don't get to enjoy such a luxury (or anethma to the working moms that think we are crazy for giving up our careers), and monotonous to those that do enjoy the luxury but know the reality of SAH parents.

The coolest part is obviously just watching every change, every step, every new word that my kids make. Totally amazing and well worth it and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this adventure with my kids.

The uncoolest part? That every day is pretty much the same, as is every week, every month and every year. Yes, we do fun and different things. This week was certainly no exception, with a trip to the beach and the zoo. And how can I complain when I get to do this stuff while most others are stuck in an office working all day? I get it. I'm not saying I don't have it good, but I am saying there is a downside to this job, and here it is.

Beyond the constant round of diapers, dirty laundry, household chores, grocery shopping, nap finagling, sibling pacifying and potty time (how many different ways can you ask a preschooler to go before they decide that yes, they in fact do need to use the potty?), an inordinate amount of my day is spent in the kitchen preparing snacks and meals and then subsequently cleaning up after each round. I am so sick of feeding this family! I have barely cleaned up breakfast before the girls want snacks. Quickly afterwards they want lunch, followed by more snacks and then I'm back in the kitchen starting dinner. And in between all of that, the dishwasher is getting filled with all these dishes (and the fact that my hands look like cow hide can prove my relationship with dishes). And tomorrow will be just like today, meaning I'll spend over an hour in the kitchen either preparing or cleaning up after a meal. Ay-yi-yi.


So I want to hear from other mamas that are feeling on the brink of insanity:

What chore do you loathe so much that it makes you want to scratch your eyes out because you've done it too often?

Sister Act

With every passing day these two become closer; the little one is following the big one everywhere, the hugs have become genuine and achingly sweet, and the giggles and laughter are coming from joyous interaction.

Good thing I can promise my girls even more girliness and sisterhood to come!

The Mowad Sisters: The Early Sessions

Happiest Place on Olivia's Earth

Over-stimulated, over-crowded, over-the-top...that about sums up a one-day trip to Disneyland. However, to my newly-turned 4 year old, Disneyland was the absolute best of everything; princesses, castles and fairy tales come to life.

Oh, and the junk food and fun rides were just icing on the best birthday cake ever! (And hey, if she chooses to spend every birthday at Disneyland instead of us throwing a birthday party, I think we'll be just fine with it!)

Ready, Aim, Fire!

Yikes, an 18 month old with a catapult, and she's not afraid to use it. Head's up!