The kids were really interested in Mother's Day this year, making art for me at school and each choosing special gifts for their grandmas (jewelry from Sophie, ice cream scoops from Martin).  We talked a lot about what it means to celebrate Mother's Day.  I explained that it's a day where you don't fight at all and you do really nice things for your mom like not yelling all day. 

To start out the day, the kids suggested that they each take a picture of me with the other one.

I wasn't sure if Martin was actually going to take the picture or if he was just fooling around, thus the guarded expression.


Sophie took this picture and I'm so glad because Martin and I have very few recent pictures together.  Plus, I'm glad we got a good shot of his new shirt which he "loves SO much" that he is sure to wear it out in record time.

Marty and the kids and I spent the day with my mother-in-law hanging out, eating lunch, and riding a carousel.  I wasn't sure if the kids would like the carousel or not.  They had been on one before, but seemed only mildly interested.  This one, however, was a huge hit.  Sophie was THRILLED, her face pure joy.


Here she is with GrandmaLou who was her very best companion ever for the day.


To Martin's delight, the carousel was pretty fast.  The adults took turns accompanying the kids, which was a good idea, because it made the rest of us a bit nauseous.


Motherhood is a lot different than I'd expected.  It takes a lot more work than I'd ever imagined.  Every moment of every day together is spent doing laundry, getting drinks (and not for me either), and creating distractions to keep the kids from punching each other.  There are appointments to be made and experiences to create and talents to encourage.  And then there's the whole "trying to raise a good person" thing to accomplish, which so far seems to be the culmination of a million little things each day.  My "to do" list is a mile long and usually has very little to do with me. 

But despite all of that, it is still the best part of my grown up life.  It's hard to imagine that these two people didn't even exist five years ago, and now they are the center of my world.  And I just love them.  Every day is better because they are in it.

Martin: Mom, I'm growing a mustache
Me: Oh really?
Martin: Yeah, but it's underground right now so you can't see it yet.
Me: That's cool, I can't wait until it shows up.  Let me know.
Sophie: I'm growing a mustache too.
Me: Girls don't want to grow mustaches.
Sophie: I do.  I want a BIG mustache.  It will be SPECIAL.
Me: Yes, it certainly would.
Martin: Girls don't have mustaches because they shave them, right mom?
Me: Well, not if they can help it.