Happy Mother's Day

Today Big Boy 's school hosted a Mommy Party, and despite having to pick up Elli from school with a sky-high fever just before the party started, I managed to still make it thanks to a very accommodating friend. She stayed at my house with both girls, so I could have a mother/son date with Big Boy .

He has been looking forward to this for weeks. All this week he's been reminding me that they are supposed to wear Sunday clothes. So I put on a khaki skirt and a black sleeveless shirt this morning. As we were getting Little Girl dressed, he looked at my clothes and said, "Mom. You're supposed to wear a really nice dress." When I assured him this was something I'd wear to church and that I don't have much that fits over my tummy these days, he repeated himself, "Mom, you need to wear a fancy dress."

So my son sent me back to my room to change into more suitable attire for our date.


Each of the kids made their mom one of these beautiful hats. Most of us wore them for the tea, though mine didn't sit down on my head very far. We had a very floral, English garden color scheme!

One of the other things Big Boy made as a gift was a paper called "Joy ____ -- My Great Mom." He provided all the answers to a series of questions about me.

My Mommy is 58 years old.
Her hair is brown and her eyes are green.
My mommy's favorite color is black.
My mommy's favorite thing to wear is church clothes.
My mommy loves to cook spaghetti.
My mommy hates to clean my room.
My mommy's favorite TV show is the news.
My mommy's favorite food is sandwiches.
My mommy's job is to clean my house.
My daddy calls my mommy "Joy."
My mommy always tells me "you can play outside."
Something that makes my mommy happy is when I give her a hug and a kiss.
When my mommy goes shopping, she loves to buy bread.
If my mommy could go on a trip, she would go to the beach and she would take a boat.
I really love it when mommy tucks me into bed.
She's the best! I love you mommy!

He actually got quite a few right... though a number are hilariously inaccurate. This house is "his" house? And my job is to clean his house? I think his future wife might have something to say about that (or maybe she'll think that's a fine arrangement... who knows?).

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there.

Especially to mine. I'm thankful that you endured all the trials, filth, disrespect, and failure to appreciate you. Every day I'm a mom I grasp a little more what you did for us. I love you and I'm so glad we live closer now!