The best mother's day gift?

Repeatedly I told Mr. D and the children that I do not wish to receive any present for Mother's day. For one thing, people really shouldn't be rewarded if they have not done their job well (it does not mean, Mr. D, that you should be nodding your head right now!); secondly, (and quietly,) I much prefer to do the shopping myself. A couple of weekends ago, I've done some successful retail therapy in Portland; I am good for a while. ~g~

Being in third grade, Ethan was obliged to make me something for mother's day. He presented this booklet of things that he thought his mother is. For example: This is where he needed to fill in the blank - "My mom makes the best food. She spoils me when she makes this dish." His answer? "Eggs." (After fixing meals for these bratty children for several years, my cooking skill is just now called into question? Too late, Suckers!) Next, "My mother is extremely good at _____" He put in "Wii" (Don't nobody ever tell me that I ain't spending anytime with my chillen'.) "If my mom were a food, she would be this food." Ethan wrote "bread" (Is that has anything to do with my fluffiness?") Oh, this one makes me wonder and shiver: "If my mom were an animal, she would be this animal." Wait for it, wait for it... "Snake." Snake! Snake?? I asked the boy, whose future is not looking very bright, why would he connect his mother with snake. He shrugged and answered without fear or trepidation "I dunno."

The picture with this post? Where I was smiling really, really big? I can't tell you how happy I was that we finally finished the Mother's Day brunch and that all my children are still alive - especially the one with wavy long hair and who had his eyes closed. The entire meal or ordeal consisted of him screamed; thrown food; made his own cocktail with ice, peas, R2D2 and Thomas, the Engine; picked sausage links from my plate; took over his dad's soft drink; and when he was ready, he promptly climbed off the chair and yelled "Done!" Now you understand why I had this big grin - isn't it amazing that he actually survived? (Or should it be the other way around?)

But I was given the best mother's day gift this year (Probably should be honest and said that I "demanded" it, therefore, they must agree to give it): Peace and quiet for an afternoon - just me, my laptop and the movie "The Fighter" (Quite appropriate, don't ya think?) - I could still hear all the commotions in the living room but I did not have to acknowledge it. There is a method to the ostrich's madness. Just to illustrate, again, how glad I am with these children of mine, here is another picture. Here is to a Happy Mother's Day 2011!