"Get ready...." he smiled sleepily across the pillow at me. I heard the giggling and clatter from the kitchen. Winston did the "mighty dog" leap off the bed and zoomed downstairs. He left smoking paw prints on the bedspread.
"Why do YOU always get to pour the juice?"
"I won't spill it"
"I won't either....you're not so big. Give it!"
I heard metal scratching metal and some very aggressive clanking of glass.
"SEEEEEE???? I TOLD you! Now get some paper towels!"
"You did that on PURPOSE!"
...and then in unison: "WINSTON!!!!!"
I willed myself to stay in bed. I imagined my kitchen dripping with egg whites, and spilled juice. I saw in my mind, smoke chugging graciously from my toaster and could see one of my bunnies going to fix the problem...with a knife. ZZZZzzzaaaaap! But I "rested" and ground my teeth. My husband laughed at me and when I pleaded with my eyes to go make sure everything was okay. He yawned, venturing out to survey the damage. "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE????? WAIT TILL YOUR MOTHER SEES THIS!!!!" he shouted
"DAAAAAAAAAD!" and everyone laughed. Even me. So I really did relax and settled in to pretend sleep mode. I heard the jiggling and rustling as they climbed up the steps. Winston was at the head of the parade which was singing "Happy Mother's Day" to the tune of Happy Birthday. He was very impressed with my breakfast: peanut butter toast, sliced apple, yogurt, corned beef hash, juice and an entire crown roast of lamb....with mint jelly. (Just kiddin' on that last bit...no mint jelly)
Those bunnies were loaded down with dishes, napkins, silverware, cards, bows, gifts...the whole nine yards. I put my book down and really marveled at those two. How amazing. They were so proud of what they'd thought of and I was too. I opened my Spongebob Squarepants card that thanked me for clean underwear. I read my little poem book that let me know my son knew what a chauffeur was...a mom who drove a lot. I smiled over my little flower pot with droopy dwarf pansies in it that was hand painted. And I cried a little when they said they loved me. My babies.
And as my husband leaned over and swatted Winston to get out of my toast, he said "Thank you. You've made great kids Baby Jane. I love you. " and presented me with a spa gift certificate. I cried a little more and thanked the good Lord above for hot rocks and the Swedes all in the wonderful name of massage and time away...amen.
By now the kids had eaten my apple, each taken "bites" of my toast and Ben sauntered down the hall with my yogurt. Winston slopped his lips and stuck his neck out attempting to eat my corned beef hash from afar or at least capture some on his flopping tongue. Cheech drank some of my juice.
I sighed and got up, showered and wandered downstairs and stopped short. They had cleaned up the breakfast dishes and were prepping lunch/dinner. I asked to help but they had it all under control. I watched and realized they certainly did. So I went to the plant nursery and bought my flowers. I came home and dug in the dirt with my favorite bibbies and hat. Then I came in and had a little snooze while the kids made appetizers and helped with the family dinner scheduled later in the day. I made bread sticks. What would a meal with the family be if I didn't have bread??? They were wonderful too for all you smart-alecks out there...who know THAT story.
On my way to bed, I went to kiss the kids goodnight. They were exhausted from all they'd done for me. My husband was almost asleep before he hit the pillow. And Winston? Well, he's narcoleptic so he was sawing logs WAY before the rest of us. And as the house settled down for the night, I smiled at my wonderful mother's day and how their thoughts (of me) really made it perfect.
I hope you all had a special day or made one. Until next time, be happy. Happiest of Mother's Days to all of you.
