Mother’s Day 2014

Ah, Mother’s Day. It was such a nice day all around.

Michael and the girls (OK, the effort was pretty much all Michael’s) did a few things that made the day a little more special than usual. First, Michael got up at the crack of dawn (literally) and went to Wegmans to get muffins and donuts. Yum. We enjoyed the treats for breakfast and then we all hung out together in the family room for a while.

I made a grocery list, and once Vivienne went down for her morning nap, Michael and Nora headed out to grocery shop while I lounged on the couch for a bit and then showered.

For my gift, Michael helped Nora start a Mother’s Day Journal for me. In lieu of cards, the kids draw pictures, paste photos, write notes/letters, etc. in the journal every year as they grow. That way, instead of having a pile of cards, I have a keepsake book from throughout the years. Love.

When they got back, Vivi was awake so we packed up a lunch for ourselves and drove over to my in-laws’ house to visit with my mother-in-law while we ate. We stayed for an hour or so and then went back home to put them down a nap. My mom came over, and the three of us tackled some work in the yard. Michael mowed, and my mom and I worked on pulling weeds, cleaning flower beds, planting some flowers, and laying mulch. It took a long time, and it was hard work at times, but it was so nice to just be outside and enjoying each other’s company. It was 75 and sunny—perfect weather. Sometimes, we get snow flurries on Mother’s Day, so we were definitely pleased with Mother Nature this year.

Nora woke up before we were finished outside, so she came out and joined us while Michael started getting things ready for dinner. She has little gardening gloves and tools that my mom bought her last year, so she was really cute “helping” my mom.

Once the gardening was done for the day, we went inside to find dinner in progress (thanks, Michael!). We had a nice family dinner—homemade sloppy joes, roasted potatoes, and roasted green beans and carrots—and then went out for a walk. THEN we got to indulge in dessert. I had picked up some of my mom’s favorite custard, and Michael and Nora had surprised me with a mini cookie cake she picked out at Wegmans. Delicious.

“Mother’s Day? Why they talkin’ about Mother’s Day?” she asked.
“Because it’s a commercial for presents for moms. And Mother’s Day is this Sunday,” I explained.
“What does ‘this Sunday’ mean?”
“Sunday is one of the days on the weekend. And Mother’s Day is this weekend.”
“I’m so excited for Mother’s Day!” she exclaimed.

It was nice to have a day to recognize what I do as a mother, but it’s a job that I consider to be a privilege. How lucky I am to have these two beautiful girls. And how lucky I am to have such a great mom myself. For me, it’s a day that reminds me to be thankful for all that I have.