Mother's Day

I didn't get any pictures of today, but it is still worth blogging about. My day started with three kiddos jumping onto bed to say good morning, and then followed with my favorite breakfast. (Kevin (son) explained to someone the other day that it was going to be bacon, eggs, and biscuits. He was right!) I even got a few presents. The boys each picked out a ring for me and Gwyn got me a bracelet. But the best part was the cards and gifts they had made. Colin had a long strip of paper with his hands at the ends that said "I love you this much!" He had written all the letters and traced his own hands. Kevin had made a book about me at school. There were 5 pages, and each page was something different about me. That kid pays attention to things! He wrote that I love to read, that we play Kerplunk together, and even that my favorite food is Mexican, and included my exact order with what comes on my food! Those boys are amazing.

Then all 5 of us headed to the zoo. I almost chose a bike ride, but we did it last year. I wanted to go to a local sculpture park that was having a festival, but I didn't know if the kids would like it, and I know Kevin (hubby) wouldn't. So on Friday I made up some scavenger hunt cards for the family. I told the boys that who ever found all the items would get ice cream after dinner, so they were very determined and found things right away. They both stopped and read every sign until they got all the letters. The items were the first letters of our names, animal poop (this cracked up the boys), a wheel, a sleeping animal, an animal with a tail, flowers, a leaf bigger than their hand, and something Cardinals. My intent was for it to be the baseball team, but Colin found an actual cardinal. He was so excited, and adorable. Of course, everyone earned ice cream. :)

After naps for four of us while daddy grocery shopped and ran, we had dinner and then ice cream. Afterwards, Gwyn got out paper and markers and we spent some time writing and drawing together. And at bedtime, Kevin asked that I come listen to when daddy read Harry Potter at bedtime. I lay on the floor while Colin climbed on me and Kevin snuggled next to me.

The only thing I wanted today was to spend time with my husband and kids, which I got. I know it is weird, but I am not really a giant fan of Mother's Day. Yes, I love the hand-made gifts, and teaching the kids to appreciate others, but I don't like what it has become. I get so annoyed with commercials about buying expensive things for moms, and pretending it is from the kids when the dad did everything. But I guess that is because I always feel loved and appreciated. I don't only have one day of the year without cooking, or where I feel like I get to choose things. I wanted to make sure that the day wasn't only about me, that is was about our family - the family that I am a mother to. And today was perfect. No, my husband did not get me a gift - and he should not have. It is one more day in our lives where we get out of the house and do something fun and relaxing with the 5 of us together, learning how to laugh, treat others with respect, and recognize those in our lives whom we love.

I hope your day was as wonderful as mine. ;)

And yes, I talked to my own mother and wished her a Happy Mother's Day!