That mother’s day memory was special to my mom, but I didn’t get it. It was just breakfast.

Until today.

Hubby ran in to wake me up with a chuckle. Baby was still asleep and he said, “Come downstairs and see what the boys did.” Groggy and all, I made my way downstairs where my boys were waiting with anticipation. As I entered the kitchen, they shoved their cards and school presents into my hands and hugged me with a chorus of “Happy Mother’s Day.” Then they sheepishly said, “We made you breakfast.”

As breakfasts go, this one was simple. A piece of toast with jelly, a hard boiled egg, and a glass of milk. But this mother’s day present was much bigger than breakfast. There was a lot of thought put into this.

My kids don’t do a lot of cooking with me. They see me in the kitchen all the time, but they don’t participate in cooking. Now that I think about it, I noticed my oldest helped me make bagels for an after school snack this past week. I realize now that he was getting some practice in so he could do it by himself. He enlisted his little brother’s help Sunday morning and had him pour the milk. Dad heard the ruckus and went to check on them. They asked for his help with the gas stove to make the egg. Breakfast was complete.

It was just breakfast, but really it was so much more. They spent the morning making breakfast so I could have the morning off. Their faces read that they were hopeful that I would appreciate their efforts. I am so touched that my boys took the initiative and showed so much forethought with this simple meal.

They saw it as breakfast. I see it as a moment that shows that they have been listening and learning the lessons that I’ve been trying to teach. It was a gift of thoughtfulness and reciprocation. It was a gesture of appreciation. It was done with humility and hope that it would make me happy. I was happy. I am happy. And I cried and I hugged them hard because I couldn’t put into words how much this Mother’s Day meant to me.

I get it now, Mom. I too will be telling this Mother’s Day story for a long long time.

I really like these little figurines from Vietnam with their circular eyes and the long wispy lashes.

The wire work in this boat from Japan is really impressive. I work with wire in some of my card designs (no where near this scale) and can appreciate the intricate details necessary to create such a piece.

1. Surprise Party at Dodger Stadium with his childhood buddies. We got a win and a ball!

2. Lakers Playoff Game. Round 1. Game 2. Great win!

3. Dinner at home with friends. Celebrating with a homemade berry cake and whipped cream frosting.

Mission accomplished!

via parachute off a helicopter

and brought a penguin

Happy Holidays!

I’ll tuck these feathers away in a keepsake album. I hope they’ll look back and remember their turtles, sparkle boots, and how good it felt to play ball.
I am thankful for this moment. Sitting together, sharing the things we are grateful for, drawing and coloring, and sticking those feathers in a pine cone.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Instead, we have what has become a family tradition. On the night before the birthday, I head out to buy a balloon to place at their bedside. It can be a simple latex balloon or a huge Mylar shaped balloon. It doesn’t matter. The kids love waking up in the morning with a colorful reminder of their special day.

They also get a homemade birthday cake of their choice.

I have been experimenting with chocolate cake recipes for a few years. This year’s recipe might be a keeper.

The kids now look forward to their balloon and cake every birthday. They wonder what kind of balloon they’ll get. They go to bed early the night before so they can wake up early and have more time to celebrate the day. They light up when they get to blow out the candles. I hope they take that feeling with them as they grow older.

The best part of the day for me, and what makes it all worth it, came right before bedtime on Connor’s 10th birthday. He wrapped his arms around me and said, “Thank you, Mom. I had a great day.”

{image via BobalooKids}