Stop to Smell the Flowers

The saying "Stop to Smell the Roses," is a favorite of mine that I seem to hardly ever embrace. I'm one of those who likes to be on the go, who likes to have a plan and action, who feels at a loss and ultimately bored when staying shut in. Therefore, when I fill out my occupation I no longer write "stay at home mom," instead the blank gets filled with "always on the go mom." The fact of the matter is that I just can't keep my feet planted, they always want to run. I'm not sure why I'm this way, or what it is about me, but I just want my girls to experience everything, to be out in the world and soak up all it has to offer, to embrace this beautiful place because sadly we have so little time here and there is really so much to enjoy.

When I'm old and grey, I want my girls to remember the Mom I was when they were kidlets. The Mom who taught them how to smile and belly laugh, how to drink up the world around them, how to live life to the fullest, how to dance around the dining room singing at the top of their lungs, how to roll down the car windows and feel the warm sun glisten on their faces while their hair blows across their face, how to stop and smell the roses. The Mom I am right now.

So, on Saturday after a fun couple of hours at Legoland we took a spur of the moment trip at the Carlsbad flower field to do just that. We stopped, took two very tired and hungry girls to smell some very beautiful flowers.

I'm quite sure this will be an annual tradition of the Morad's for as long as our girls will go with us. Watching them stroll along the rows and rows of planted flowers, look in awe at the bright colors and beauty, and feeling them tug my hand so they could stop to smell one flower after another after another was by far one of my favorite moments thus far. If my heart could smile, it would be sporting a big grin for sure!

One Lego Block At a Time

A year ago, Ryan's dad kindly took us on a mini vacation down to Carlsbad and purchased us Legoland passes. At the time Presley was too young to enjoy anything but the bright colors, while Giulietta tried her best to be 3 so that we could take her on rides when in fact she was only 2. We stayed in a pretty hotel that overlooked the Carlsbad flowers, and enjoyed time as a family. As great as
it was, the kids were younger, I was still breastfeeding Miss P, and the dynamics are always different when an extra adult is added into the mix.

Since then, we have been to Legoland a handful of times with other friends and family. However, it wasn't until this past weekend, in which we took a day trip down south with just the four of us that I saw the excitement and enthusiasm in their hearts. With each ride, smile, tiny hand clap, and squeal I saw the girls adding to their memorable life experiences one lego block at a time.

Weekly Round-Up

Swim lessons, nightly family walks, driving cars, park time with Presley, mornings at Joann's, lounging with Fafa, new shoes, easter parties, visiting Kaka as the bunny, trip to Legoland & the Carlsbad flowers, and little snuggles from Baby Archer = ONE PERFECT WEEK!

Watching the Moon Rise

Tonight we walked as a family. It felt good...great to be honest. Great to just get out, great to just be the four of us, great to watch the moon rise!

None of us really said much. We walked, Ryan picked the girls flowers which they tried to put behind their ears,  and we simply enjoyed each others company!

The walk tonight made me realize that we don't do this enough. Sure we go, we experience, we spend time together, but none of it is as easy or simply or wonderful as our walk tonight!