My Day

[Actually, it took me more than a day to get all the pictures and everything together, so this is yesterday.]

This morning I was awakened by little Brooklyn carrying her little plastic Playskool tea tray into my room with a bowl of Special K (which she chose because I am special and my name starts with K). She was wearing her favorite silver nightgown and her blond hair was disheveled. She told me proudly that she had poured the milk all by herself! Then she added with a giggle that she "thinked of it last night in bed, and then whispered it in Daddy's ear." And so dutifully I ate breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. Exactly as I always dreamed when I was dreaming up these darling little babies.

Meanwhile, Travis was preparing Second Breakfast (and third, if you count the smoothie he also made me) - heart-shaped pancakes made from scratch, which were perfectly shaped and perfectly cooked. I don't know how he did it. I have tried for years to make pancakes with no success, let alone use those maddening little pancake-shape tools. The over-medium egg (just the way I like it) was also, amazingly, heart-shaped. And there was sausage, which I mostly made him eat (three breakfasts are a little more than a girl can handle - even this one!)

My girls LOVE Mother's Day and go all-out (apart from their track record of less-than-agreeable behavior on Mother's Day - a streak which, for the most part, they finally broke today!) They made me these adorable cards. Kate gave me this mysterious coin. Apparently somewhere they make coins for Mother's Day. The funny part is that Travis was cleaning out his car yesterday and found this coin - just in time for Mother's Day! What a random and unusual coincidence. I shall carry it with me always.

(Um, actually I've already lost it, so when I find it I'll be sure to post a picture.)

I love my kids and their passion and enthusiasm. Everything they do, they do it all the way. Kate's letters and and writing are always so descriptive and reflect her intense emotions. I recently found a little questionnaire I had her answer when she was 4 1/2. Her answers were just plain hilarious. Last week I repeated the same questions with Brooklyn, on video so I could transcribe it later. Since the questions were mostly about me, I thought it would be appropriate for Mother's Day.

(I know these are long, but I'm posting them anyway for the sake of canonizing them.)

Kate's answers at age 4 1/2:  (Of course now I wish I'd thought to video record this too!)

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you. And you always say "You are the best kid" too. (Hm do I?)
2. What makes mom happy? I don't know. Wait, I got a plan that makes you happy. When I always say "I love you," that makes you happy, and when I say "Sorry" that makes you happy.
3. What makes mom sad? Um, like hitting you, and like talking to you in a mean voice. And doing mean things to my sister.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Saying funny words
5. What was your mom like as a child? Um... I don't know. You were like, um, a baby? And you were like a spider.
6. How old is your mom? I don't know. One-eleven? (Silly Kate, she always gets my age and weight mixed up! HA! - um kidding of course)
7. How tall is your mom? Um, 7, 8 pounds?
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Like a show? You very love watching shows and one of your own movies.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Call me and play with me. [Me: But what if you're not there?] You have to find me. [But what if you're at pre-school? Then what do I do?] Get in the car and pick me up.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Dancing really lovely.
11. What is your mom really good at? Teaching your piano students how to learn piano.
12. What is your mom not very good at? I do not know. You're good at everything.
13. What does your mom do for her job? Get money?
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Little kids [giggle]
15. What makes you proud of your mom? Um, like cleaning my room.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Yogi the Bear
17. What do you and your mom do together? Like we play games and movies and stuff.
18. How are you and your mom the same? Like wearing the same dresses.
19. How are you and your mom different? I have blue eyes and you have brown eyes.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? I just know.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Because he is really nice looking like. And because he has great talks.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Like the store.
23. If you would change one thing about mom, what would it be? It would be... I don't know what you're talking about. This is a hard thing. Like change you into a fairy?

Brooklyn's answers at age 5:
(4/29/2013)

1. What is something mom always says to you? Unload the dishwasher.
2. What makes mom happy? By writing you notes?
3. What makes mom sad? That I don't listen to you.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Doing funny things. [Like what?] Doing a funny dance, that you did to Troy one time.
5. What was your mom like as a child? Um... I don't know. Like me?
6. How old is your mom? Eighteen?
7. How tall is your mom? Very big. This big. Up to the sky.
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? A lot of movies. [Do I have a favorite movie?] Belle?
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Go to the store, go to the playground with Troy.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? I don't know what famous means. Saying I'm sorry? I don't know.
11. What is your mom really good at? Making clothes.
12. What is your mom not very good at? I don't know. Making stuffed animals?
13. What does your mom do for her job? I don't know. Helping?
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Spaghetti? Tomato soup?
15. What makes you proud of your mom? Making spaghetti.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? I don't know. You'd be a princess.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Play games, go to the playground.
**Mysteriously, my sound cut out after this. I have no idea what she was saying for the rest of the questions. I'll have to try again later!"

And on a completely unrelated topic, here is my bedroom door:

That's right - "Staff Only!!!!!!"

Unfortunately today Travis had to leave us again. It's always rocky for the kids when he comes and goes, and I think Troy feels it the most keenly. When Trav comes home, Troy can't leave his side, saying, "Come sit by me, Daddy!" and always running up to hug him or hold his hand. When he leaves, Troy buckles himself into the back of his car and says, "Let's go, Daddy! Bye, Mommy! I love you! I going on the trip with Daddy!" It's rough, but at least we have our weekends together, and of course we know it will all be temporary. Once he is back with us all the time, I'm sure the kids will forget all about this stage of our lives.