Reinventing the Pool

What does this Mama do when she fills the pool with sparkling blue, ice

cold water on a hot summer afternoon, and the kids won't get into it?

I make it fun!

I reinvented the pool by dragging it across the lawn, and placing the

slide inside. Then, I turned the sprinklers on. Giulietta, Charlie, and

even Presley had a blast sliding, splashing, and cooling off. 

Stepping Out

You all know that I am a fan of Pink! I LOVE it in any

shade, any style, and on anything, especially my girls. 

Sometimes though, I am reminded of how important it is 

to step out of my comfort zone, and try something new. 

Today G went off to school in a new pair of leggings

adorned with yellow, green, and purple elephants. 

One would definitely not find this item in my Gymboree

shopping bag, however my dear friend Marci bought 

these for G. And...I just LOVE everything about them. 

Especially how they make her legs look so long and skinny!

I guess, variety really is the spice of life! 

Thanks Marce, for helping me step out of my comfort zone. 

You'll be sure to get these for Alice, when my girls are done

with them! 

Old Coffee Filters turned Butterfly Art

In the last year or so, Daddy-O has taken up drinking coffee. We 

dusted off the coffee pot, that was hiding way up in the cabinet, and 

only used once or twice a year when Nana Kim came to visit, and put 

it to use for a few weeks. Then, our new found coffee drinker decided he

was in need of a Keurig. 

Since the Keurig has replaced the old pot system on our counter, 

these filters have been stashed in our cabinet. Then, it hit me...

ART...BUTTERFLIES...FUN!!!

All you need is old coffee filters, watercolor paints, 

and black pipe cleaners. 

 Spread the coffee filter out on a plate or newspaper. 

Open the watercolors up, and hand the brush to your little darling.

 Let your kidlet do what their magic!

Once the coffee filter dries, take the pipe cleaner, fold it in half 

around the coffee filter and twist. Presto, a new butterfly is born! 

Friendship Through the Years

It all started what seems like just moments ago, when this new 

neighbor walked up to what is now my door, but was only Ryan's at the 

time, knocked and told Ryan's roommate something to the effect "I know 

there is a girl who lives here, and I just wanted to say Hi!" Of course, she

proceeded to follow Ryan's roommate into the house, and found me scrubbing

the kitchen in a faded old workout t-shirt and shorts. We talked, began walking a

few nights a week,  I asked her to be in our wedding, we became pregnant 

at the same time, and the rest is history! 

All it took was one nosy neighbor (you know I love that about you Marce), 

to start a friendship between two married couples, and now three and soon to be 

four (Baby Alice Linda Phee is expected 12/2011) crazy kidlets. 

Through the past three years, Giulietta and Charlie have enjoyed many play dates, 

trips to the store, morning rides to preschool, baths to scrub off the dirt, and 

swims in the pool together. As parents, we have only become closer because

of the friendship we have tried to foster between our children. And, these

two darlings are truly best friends, who seem to understand each other better

then anyone else. As the years go by, the hope is that they will only continue

to grow together.

 After all..."A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the

past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." 

--Lois Wyse

 July 2009

July 2010

July 2011

7 Months Young Addendum

I realized as I was spending the evening with Presley that I left out a few 

important tidbits about her 6 to 7 month transition. So, here it goes...

Our little Sweet Pea just won't sit still. She is constantly trying to move. 

The days of her contently cuddling on our laps and easily being rocked

to bed at night are pretty much over. She wants to stand, roll, kick, bang,

and MOVE. 

The last few weeks have brought many sleepless nights for Mama, 

because Presley has been battling Thrush, a respiratory infection 

(probably asthma due to the RSV she had at 8 weeks), and TEETH!

Yes, our girl has a tooth, and most definitely a few more on the way! 

Nevertheless, she has plugged along with a sweet smile on her face.

And, even though this girl seems so dainty and petite, she is growing. She

has stepped up into her reverse facing car seat, and is enjoying

the extra room. Her crib has been lowered, so we don't find ourselves

with our soon to be really mobile baby climbing out, just yet. Also, we

have packed away her swing, vibrating seat, and floor mat in order to

bring out  more exciting toys to help get her sitting up and on the move.

The puppets curtain

I have been bitten by the sewing bug. And recently, I have wanted

to make everything that I see. One of my first projects was this puppet

show curtain that hangs in between the doorway. Although it's not

quite perfect, Giulietta and Daddy still enjoy playing with it. 

One of my next projects, just might be to make her some puppets to

go along with it! 

7 Months Young

Presley has blossomed in the short four weeks between her being

 6 months old to now 7 months young. 

Our Sweet Pea rolls everywhere, sits unsupported, and is beginning

to get herself up on all fours. She smiles, giggles, and babbles almost

constantly. She prefers her Mama's milk over anything, but she now

will drink water and milk out of sippy cup, and eat "real" people food.

She picks up treats off her tray, and holds a Mum Mum or Graham 

Cracker up to her mouth to munch on. She loves to jump for hours in her

bouncer, and her eyes become glued to the television no matter what 

show is on. She recognizes her family, and those people who she is 

around a lot by welcoming them with smiles and coos. She will reach

her arms out to be held by a new person, and I swear she has waved 

a couple of times at me. She LOVES her sister more then anything in

the world, and laughs and smiles whenever Giulietta plays with her.

Presley is a fan of music, especially Elvis, and you can hear her singing

along in the backseat of the car. She recognizes her name, and sometimes

the numerous nicknames we have given her (Pella, P, Sister, Sissy, Sweet

Pea, and P-diddle). Her hair is as red as the Crayola crayon in G's coloring box, 

her eyes as blue as the ocean on a clear day, her smile as wide and open as her heart, 

and her personality as wild as a firecracker on the 4th of July. 

It's bittersweet to think that we are closer to her 1st birthday, 

then the day she was born. 

What the future MAY hold

Here I am, a few years down the road. My two girls, and...

one boy! Or at least that's the goal that almost everyone around

me is shooting for. As far as I am concerned, I'd be

happy with another girl. 

For now though, I'll take my two girls, their buddy 

Charlie, and his soon to be sister Alice!

Pour...Mix...Play

It's summer! The days are long, the energy high, and time for my

little sponge to grow and learn. So...today we made our own 

Play Doh. Surprisingly, it was easy. Just a little bit of flour,

a little bit of salt, a little bit of water, and a little bit of food coloring. 

Giulietta poured it all in a bowl, mixed it around, and then Mama 

cooked it the stove. And, PRESTO...we had purple play dough! 

Tub Time

Bath time is one of my favorite times of the day. Perhaps it is 

because I love a good bath myself, and want my girls to have the same 

feeling as I do. I remember longingly staring at the pink flowered bath

seat in my tub weeks before Giulietta arrived. I spent many moments imagining

what it would be like to bathe her in it with warm water and Johnson's sweet

smelling soap. I again experienced the same feeling before Presley arrived, and

I dusted off the ole' pink seat and tested it out in the tube again. However, the 

girls grow like weeds, and the bath seat is hiding underneath the sink again. But,

this doesn't leave bath time any less precious or fun. 

Now...both the girls sit up in the tub, play with the toys, tug at 

each other, splash and squeal. It is by far one of my favorite 

things to watch. 

A Sunday Visit with G's G-MA

Today, my cousin Michele, which happens to be Giulietta's God 

Mother (AKA G-MA), brought her two beautiful daughters to visit.

There was a lot of playing, hugging, 

pictures, and silly faces. 

Us Morad Girls can't wait to spend many more fun days with 

our cousins and G's G-MA!! 

Girly Update

As an individual...

she is sweet, smart, and sassy all rolled up into one. She loves herself 

some Disney Princesses (hence the little mermaid costume), strawberry

anything (but more specifically the juice that only Nana buys), and 

keeping busy (which means that Mama is always on the go). She

is almost 3 years old, but definitely acts like she is 13 or maybe 30.

She makes everyone around her smile because of her big heart, 

warm hugs, and humorous personality. 

She is Giulietta, our first born.

she is dainty, cute, and always happy. She enjoys watching TV (anything

really) a little too much, having her sister make her laugh (which happens

rather quickly when G yells Presley), and her Ollie Octopus toy. She eats

pretty much anything, but favors pears and Mac & Cheese, however she is

gaining interest in what is on everyone else's plate. She is on the brink of 

turning 7 months old, and is stretching for independence. She constantly

wiggles when you hold her, rolls EVERYWHERE, is 

getting herself up on all fours, and is about to take off any minute.

She is Presley Ella, our second born.

Together...they are our daughters, and the cutest sisters that I know! 

Can you say, Moo??

I planned a play date for the girls and I, on a random Friday afternoon

at Chick-Fil-A. It just so happened that, that particular Friday was 

Cow Appreciation Day. Free meals were granted for those, who were

crazy enough to dress up like cows. And, everyone knows that I 

LOVE free stuff, especially free FOOD. 

So, I decided to put together these little outfits for the girls and I. 

We grazed our way over to Chick-Fila-A.

Enjoyed some fun activities.

Ate our free food.

And, looked udderly (get it?) adorable, and ridiculous!

What A day!

Tired nor exhausted sum up the way I believe our little

family, plus our dear friend Laura feel after a very busy,

non-stop, constantly on the go type of day that we have had.

The morning started with just Presley and I, lounging 

around in her room taking a few pictures of her in her

new Elvis onsie that we bought her last week in Vegas. 

It continued with the girls and I dressing up in Cow costumes

to celebrate "Cow Appreciation Day." Actually, I'm just cheap, 

and wanted free lunch at Chick-Fil-A. However, our little outfits

turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself, and the girls had fun!

After a delicious FREE lunch, we jumped into painting the living room.

This not so small task lasted ALL day, and will continue into tomorrow

morning, however it will be so nice to actually be able to use our

living as a living room, our dining room as a dining room! 

The girls enjoyed a nice nap and a round of Popsicles

while watching G's new favorite show "Super Why!" Presley, 

you see, will watch and enjoy watching pretty much anything!

And, to end our very LONG day, Auntie Lolo read the girls

a bedtime story, or perhaps she read it to herself, while G 

read her own story, and Presley...well Presley rolled around

the couch trying to get into anything she could get her little

hands on! 

6 Month Check-Up

Presley had her 6 month check up just the other day. The doc did all the 

usually weighing, measuring, questioning, and checking. She weighed in

at 15 lbs 12 oz. She measured 26 inches, and her head circumference was 

16 3/4 inches. According to the growth chart, she is in the 50th percentile

for all the measurements, and exactly average. However, we know that this

baby is no AVERAGE child. She is our little bean, and special in every way!

The nurse gave her poor little thighs two shots, and she quickly sucked

down her oral vaccination. All in all, the doctor loves her development,

which is advanced mind you (no bragging here). And, the doctor just couldn't

help but state how beautiful Presley was about 20 times. In fact, she even typed

it on the paperwork for her file! 

inches. 

Growth

Many of my post lately have been about growth, and particularly

how fast my girls are growing. Tonight, Giulietta hopped into

the Mini Cooper Walker, and it just seemed like a perfect opportunity

to take a growth picture. Our sweet little baby is turning into 

a very intelligent, independent, and caring young girl with a spark

in her eyes and a smile on her face that make everyone around her

yearn for more time with her. 

Sun...Sand...Water

We have the luxury of living only 7 miles from the

California coastline, however we frequent it only a few

times a year! Isn't that something? People come from

all over the US to bask in the sun, run their toes through

the sand, and take a dip in the cool Pacific Ocean, and us

Californians, truly take our proximity to the ocean for granted.

Part of the reason we don't frequent the beach much is because I'm

not one for the way the salt and sand stick to your body and make you feel. I am 

well aware that some people out there long for that feeling, however

I am not one of them. But..I do long for the joy that the beach brings

my girls. So...I planned a beach day with my friend Laura, packed

a bag, picked up In-N-Out for lunch, and slathered on the sunscreen!

 Giulietta thought the bucket made a good hat. 

In fact, Laura and her have a running joke of asking each 

other, "Do you like my hat?" 

 Love moments like these with my girls! 

Presley is really the happiest baby I know!

She is for sure my serious daughter! Sometimes, 

I wonder what she is thinking inside that big brain of hers! 

 The girls enjoying Auntie Lolo!!

Pella enjoyed feeling the sand beneath her toes,

squeezed between her fingers, and under neath her tush!!