GOAL!

In our home, Mo is no longer Mo. Most of the day she goes by the name "Fred". Why Fred, you ask? Because Fred (or Freddie for her), is her favorite player on the Philadelphia Union Soccer Team. This season was their inaugural year and we scored season tickets. We were looking for something family friendly and my friends, Major League Soccer is definitely the way to go. Over this season, Mo wore her jersey with pride and watched wide eyed as her favorite players kicked, saved, and scored. She would cup her hands around her mouth and yell "Go Fred-Die". "Go LeToux" and would sing along with the cheers: "C'mon U" and my personal favorite "Phil-A-Delph-Ia" clap clap clap clap clap. She absolutely loves it so much she wants to wear her jersey almost every day.

Mo's alter ego- Fred Don't you see the resemblance?



Mo's imagination has recently taken over the majority of her play and soccer seems to be her favorite topic. She will boss whomever is over- my mom or dad or sister or mother in law- up into the play room where they will be play soccer. She is "Fred" while the other person is either "Sebastien Le Toux" pronounced Lay-Two or "Danny Mwanga". She makes you play the goalkeeper as she shoots and scores between the entrance to her play kitchen. If she scores she yells "GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!"at the top of her lungs and throws herself on the floor just like the players typically do when they score.
I am loving this.
I had always hoped that my girls would be into sports over ballerinas and princesses and for now, I have my way. I know there may come a time that she'll want to trade in the soccer ball for the tutu, and like any good mom, I'll suck it up, but until then
"Way to go Fred!"

Just a moment....

is all I seem to have these days.
I know someday soon I'll look back on these crazy days and think back fondly, maybe even longingly for the moments where my girls were babies. Now, in the throws of this, it's chaos at best. Teething and tantrums and toilets- OH MY! Napping at different times in the day, which often works out to one waking as the other just falls asleep. Me time- Ha? What's that?
In a few months, Maeve will have mastered the art of walking while Mo will discover that her baby sister can be her best playmate. Until then, I am in constant action preventing baby from pulling, biting, climbing, and stealing while calming the complaints of a 2.5 yr old.
I am thankful but tired, so tired!
There are blog posts floating around in my head waiting to be written and I have even started two which I hope to finish soon. Until then a quick snapshot of my favorite girls!

Responsibilities

Amongst my friends on facebook I came across "Vicky Bell's blog post and was both touched and inspired as I read her words in response to the recent suicides. I know my girls are still babies, but time goes by quickly and before I know it they will be out in that big bad world. What will I say to my daughters? Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Dear Mo & Maeve,
Life is not easy all the time.
There will be moments where you may make a decision that you regret. You will hurt people you love. You will say something you cannot take back. You will do something you know you shouldn't and have regrets over it. You will fear the repercussions of your actions and dread the consequences. You will value the opinions of others over your own and then wonder what motivated you to do so. You will fight with me, your father, and each other. You will make friends and people who you think are friends. People will surprise you and some will let you down.
Life is the sum of all these moments and experiences. It isn't always easy or pretty or happy, but just know it will get better.
There may be a moment where you are uncomfortable talking to me and that is okay. I hope that you have the know with all to find someone to talk. There will be moments where you think you have let me down, and I want you to know, I will always love you. I may disapprove of your actions but nothing you ever do or say will stop me from loving you.
The best things I have in my life are not things at all, the best things are you two. Moira and Maeve I love you with all of my heart and feel so lucky to be your mom.

Last shots of the summer

It's amazing what the beach looks like after Labor Day!





Welcome Fall!