In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to open with a poem Little’s class recited that I thought was so sweet. (Imagine your little ones’ voices as you read it.)
Mommy, I love you,
For all that you do.
You kiss me and hug me,
‘Cause you love me too.
You feed me and need me,
To teach you to play.
So smile, because I love you,
On this Mother’s Day!
Lesson #1: I can’t help but love that Big’s school is doing a program called “Chores for Change” in support of a fellow student with lymphoma. (And not just because Big wants to kick cancer’s butt by wiping his little sister’s.)
Lesson #2: The importance of the elementary school library is often overlooked, if you ask me. I mean without it, how would I know whether my family would rather fart through their noses or sneeze through their butts? (Critical thinking in the works, people.)
Lesson #3: I don’t know what’s better — the fact that Big’s been getting school mail from sweet girls, or the fact the he actually shows it to me.
Lesson #4: I thought one of Big’s opposing team’s coaches was over the top — making 1st graders who didn’t catch the ball in warm ups do push ups, among other showboating stunts — until I heard Big playing with Little. “No! We will not be doing hitting until you get your butt down while fielding grounders. Get your glove. Right. Now.” By the time Little’s old enough to play Little League, he’ll probably be ready for the big leagues. Which is good since he wants to be a UCLA baseball (and basketball) player before he’s on the Giants.
Lesson #5: While I could do without the sass, I kind of love seeing Big’s sense of humor mature. The other day, when he didn’t laugh at one of my hilarious jokes again, I said, “Your mother is a funny lady. You’d better learn to laugh with me.” His clever response was, “Well, you calling yourself a ‘lady’ was pretty funny.”
Lesson #6: It’s great when your kids finally reach the age that they can bathe themselves totally independently. That is until you go to shave your legs and find your brand new container of shaving cream is empty. (And, yes, this explains why I was wearing boots on a hot May day last week.)
Lesson #7: You know your kid thinks you’re special when he gets dressed up for the preschool Mother’s Day tea. I mean Little went all out, wearing his best football jersey. Not a single letter was peeling off. Seriously.
Lesson #8: My 4-year old knows me better than I know myself. When his preschool teacher asked what I like to do to relax, he answered, “Work in her computer.” I laughed when I read it, but it’s not even 7am on Mother’s Day and I’m in a fluffy Four Seasons bed all by myself (because my family likes to spoil me on Mother’s Day Eve), and guess what I’m doing. Yep, working in on my computer.
Lesson #9: Lenny is one smart guy (and not just because he sent me away for a glorious night of rest and relaxation). He’s constantly telling the kids, “If you keep hanging on the freezer handle it’s going to break off.” Right again, honey. Right again.
Lesson #10: When you hear your toddler singing the clean-up song to herself, you’re probably not going to like what you find.
Here’s to moms, grandmas, aunts, friends, teachers and all the ladies in our lives who love our kids like mothers (without all the yelling). And for those of you missing your mom today, I hope you find a way to see her in the smiles on your family’s faces.
Use Your Words