2011 Mother's Day

Roland is a sensitive guy, but it's not in a gushy-to-all sort of way. He's sweet on me, and that's about it. But even his sweetness is short and reserved to special moments. I hear stories about boys who adore their little sisters and shower praise constantly on their mothers, but Roland has always been more likely to squeeze you tightly in a fierce hug than to lay on the verbal serenade. And goodness knows if he is being sweet on Aria you should be suspect.

We found this caterpillar on Roland's sweatshirt, and followed its every wiggle as it made its way back into the wilderness.

However, now 4 years old, the concepts of the world are clearer to him and he was very aware about Mother's Day this year. He proudly showed me the flower he planted in his clay pot at school and helped grow in my honor. But those, and all other gestures, float away like bubbles on a windy day in comparison to what he told me Friday night.

The best Mother's Day card ever: Roland signed his name and wrote "MOM"! He also did all the stickers and was so proud to 'read' it to me. This will be one I treasure for all time.

As we stomped from the bath to the bedroom - prenteding to be ferocious T-rexes - he stopped, turned and looked at me. Me, cocked in my best T-rex stance, which is probably not convincing at all, roared back at him. Very somberly he said, "I love you Mom. I love you all the way to the moon." And then my heart exploded so the rest of the moment is just a blur.

My Mother's Day treat? 15 mins of lesuire reading in the grass while the kids entertained themselves in the sandbox. Paradise.

To those that know her it will come as no surprise that Aria, who is always competitive with her brother, accepted the challenge of who-could-love-on-Mom-best this weekend and actually kissed me. Really! Like grabbed the sides of my face and kissed me. It was amazing.

Buddy is such a cuddle-hound. If you are sitting and your hands are free, he's there, perfectly positioning himself for a belly rub. After a while Ari had enough and told him to 'go!"

Brian and I played some of our new favorite backyard game - wiffle ball. He has a couple pitches I affectionately call the Bouncer, the Wife-hitter, and the Screamer. Aria and Roland are pretty good too! (They get it from me.)

Once Ari reached the corn 'hair' she stopped shucking. Such a girlie-girl! Roland loves this task in the summer.

The weather was perfect this weekend. We enjoyed every moment outdoors. We grilled chicken and corn Sunday night, giving Roland the task of shucking the corn. Roland told Aunt Kris, "I do this all the time." Um. Yeah, sure you do.

Aria made me this tote bag for Mother's Day - and I love it. It's amazing!

So, typically I might list the things we did this weekend, but it was really just like any other weekend, full of laughs and adventures, naps and negotiations. In that regard, every weekend is Mother's Day!

It's slowly getting warmer! We were trying out the water guns practicing our aim!

I will point out a few of my favorite moments from this weekend to remember.

Roland's proud face as he presented me his present. Friday night at Catherine and Max's, watching my awesome kids eat Goldfish and chill on the back deck. Waking up Saturday morning with both kids clutched on either side. Spinning Stella, Aria, and Roland in circles till we could no longer stand up at Richland park. Holding Aria and Stella on either hip as we chased after Roland, racing to the next tree, their laughter echoing across the park. Naps, glorious naps, where I watched Aria breath deeply and rythmically while I wished her to stop growing so fast.

Determined mischeif. Brian described it best when he said Roland broke us into the Two's, Aria slammed into them like a wrecking ball. Ths girl is something else!

Laughs with Kris. I had no idea how much I missed that noise! A delicious date night with Brian, visiting old and new friends. Roland 'reading' me his card Sunday morning, so proud to show off his excellent work. That special hold Aria has just for me where we lock in an embrace. Sunday night, relaxing with Brian on the couch - just like any other night.

Yep, that's my guy!

I never got a chance to call and tell my Mom today just how much she means to me. (Left a voicemail!) I am not an expert at anything, but I will consider myself an expert on mothers. My mother is one-in-a-billion. Friday was her spring Special Olympics event, where she single-handedly makes an amazing difference in so many lives. To be her daughter means every day is a spring Specail Olympics event, where she makes us feel like we are the best kids in the world. (My sibs will enjoy teasing me about that analogy...) Needless to say, she's my best friend and Mom-mentor and if I can do half as good a job as she does, the kids will be OK.

That's my Super-Mom, holding Aria a couple days after she was born.

Everyone's got one, but I'll argue, and I know a couple people who'll join the fight, that mine is the best around. Love you Mom and Happy Mother's day!

As for my kids, I told Roland tonight when I tucked him in, you are the best present I have ever recieved. And I love you (and Aria) to the moon, and back.