Conference moira::parenting

...is how my morning started along with Eggs Benedict and coffee in bed!  Thank
you, my darling husband, who did most of the cooking and my wonderful children
who 'served' me.  From there was the pick up of breakfast dishes, clean up, but
not by me!!!!  After that my husband mowed the lawn, the kids and I showered and
got dressed and from there we all went to my mother's.  There we had lobster and
steak with potato salad and baked beans, leek dip and veggies (my husband made
those 3 items in the morning as well) with shrimp cocktail.  Talk about a
FEAST!!!  I STILL can't breathe!  ;)  My son made me a paper tea cup and put in
a 'real' tea bag and made a Happy Mother's Day I love you card (absolutely
beautiful, of course!) and my daughter made me a wonderful card I REALLY love
you and Happy Mother's Day (with glitter stickers and the works!) and a set of
cobalt blue salt & pepper shakers in the shape of a cello and violin with yellow
screw on tops, which she purchased with her own money at a neighborhood yard
sale.

The BEST present of all...was 2 well behaved, non-bickering children for the
ENTIRE day, including bedtime!!!!!!!!

It's GREAT to be a Mom!!!!

Happy belated Mother's Day to all...

Sandra

    
    Nathan wrote me a book for Mothers Day.  His teacher had them hard
    bound and very professional looking:
    
    "Fortunately" by Nathan Pereira
    
    Written and Illustrated by Nathan Pereira
    
    This book is dedicated to my mom, Pam.
    
    
    
    Fortunately, I have a Mom.
    
    Unfortunately, she goes to work at 4 am.
    
    Fortunately, she gets home early at 10 am.
    
    Unfortunately, she goes back to sleep when she gets home.
    
    Fortunately, she wakes up.
    
    Unfortunately,  when she wakes up, she watches Oprah Winfrey.
    
    Fortunately, when Oprah is over we go to McDonald's.
    
    Unfortunately, we can't go to Cub Scouts anymore (I don't know where he
               got this idea from)
    
    Fortunately, we go to baseball not and I hit homeruns.
    
    Unfortunately, Mom had to drive Dad to work and she missed one of
               my homeruns.
    
    Fortunately, I love my Mom and I know she loves me.
    
    
    
    
    (I loved it....but I didn't like the guilt trip about the 
      unfortunatelies )   8*)

    Angeline and I got up and I gave her breakfast.  Then we had
    a nice long bath together, that was fun.
    
    My parents came up from Florida the day before, they haven't been
    around since Christmas.  They are staying at the Radisson in Chelmsford
    MA.  We went down there and spent the day with them.  There was a big
    brunch/buffet in the hotel.  My three sisters, my mom, and I all went
    to eat (like pigs) and have a couple of drinks (my dad was allowed to
    join us).  Angeline stayed up in the room with a couple of her cousins
    to watch her.
    
    Then we all went back to my folks room which got to be hectic as heck
    when my brother showed up with his wife and three kids too.  It was
    a really great day and I loved seeing my folks again.
    
    My mom bought be a Dreamsicles statue that said "I love my mommy" on
    it and bought me a Mother's day card and cut out a picture of Angeline
    and pasted it in there as the signature so she made sure I got
    something from my little cherub on my first Mother's day.  It was
    really sweet.  
    
    Angeline gave her a new framed picture of herself, and I got her
    (my mom) her beloved penuche fudge.   We all had a really great day,
    just sorry I didn't get outside at all.
    
    						cj *->
                                                      

    Re: .3 I got the same Dreamsicle (I love Mommy) as a gift too.
    Its so cute!
    
    nmp

    Cards from the kids, and a wonderful ceramic "thing" of a mother and
    daughter holding hands, made by Holly in her Sunday School class.
    I think she watched while the teacher did it.  "And look, Mom, it
    comes with a bunny rabbit!"  
    
    Later in the day, we went to dinner at our favorite local restaurant,
    at my son's suggestion.  "Yep, I have a lot of good ideas, Mom!"
    
    Kate

    I got a "guilt trip" for Mother's Day... I was travelling last week
    (New Orleans, during the flood!!!).  My Mother's Day card had an
    original artwork by David Cormier of me driving away in a car, waving
    out the window, with the caption "Mommy going away on a trip, but she
    will be home very late on Friday".  It was attached to a handmade
    cookbook with recipies that the kids made in preschool throughout the
    year.  It was very cute! 
    Sarah

    Never had time to realize it was mother's day, except that Carrie gave
    me a card and hug, and Lolita came down last night, and brought me a
    pot of marked down stargazer lilies.  Thoughtful child, she knows they
    will come back over and over again if I get them planted in back and
    will have them to enjoy for years.  
    
    I went to a plant sale with friends (also how I spent my vacation) and
    then worked down at the community garden getting some things
    straightened out because our lousy spring weather had really screwed up 
    the condition of the plots this year.  Lolita filled my plate and
    helped me do some late grocery shopping.  Mom spent her time with my
    brother this time around, and he really isn't comfortable with
    "sharing" her with anyone but his kids.  I called her late last night
    and chatted.
    
    meg
    

    I got the following card from my stepdaughter:
    Cover of the card:  A Mother's Day Riddle
                        Why did the Mom cross the road?
    
    Inside the card:    No one could tell, really.
                        She was mumbling to herself
                        about peace and quiet.
                        She circled the block a couple
                        times and came back alot happier.
    
          ***************************

    Nancy,
    
    That card is priceless!  I loved it!
    
    				cj *->

    This year my husband went and bought a ceramic figure of two kittens
    and again wrote the card in crayon (signed by the kids). He is so
    thoughtful. ( they are 2yrs and 10mo).  They didn't know the difference.
    My oldest sent me a card. But the one Mother's day I will never forget
    is when my oldest daughter (then 9yrs old) gave me a card with $1 in
    quarters. I think it was ALL of her savings.  I still have the card
    with the quarters still inside.  We were really strapped then. I stil
    l feel so proud when I look at it. 
    
    Rose 

    At least none of you got what mine gave me - be grateful...
    Mine was an indirect gift.  We've been at home since last Sat
    with chicken pox.  Am finally back to work!  Thank goodness!  I
    couldn't take 'Beauty& Beast' any more!
    
    Kathy

    My sweet little Natasha got me a beautiful gold locket engraved Mom
    on the front and her birthdate on the back. It is amazing how a 3 month
    old can save up that much money.
    
                                  Alice

    .13
    
    Alice,
    
    That locket sounds so nice!  I hope you gave your little "sweetie"
    (and whomever helped her pick it out :-) ) a big kiss.  I expect
    that is something you will always cherish.
    
    					cj *->

	Just wait until they get older.

	My 3 year old got me a pair of socks.

	My 14 month old got me... another pair of socks!

	;-)

	(My husband got me a few gifts, too)

    re .15
    
    Methinks someone is trying to tell you you have cold feet! :-)
    
    						cj *->

	;-)

    So Mom's...how was your day yesterday?
    
    And Dad's, how wonderful were you?
    
    					cj *->

    My little guy gave me a "tweetie bird" charm to go on my charm holder. 
    That's because it's one of the nicknames I use for him.  Steve says
    Aaron called him at work to ask him to help him buy it, not bad for a
    15 mth old! ;^)
    
    But, best of all was...Aaron slept until 8:00 am (Steve and I slept
    until 7:30 when we realized Aaron hadn't given us his 6:30 wake up
    call).
    
    sandy

    Well I had to work!!  But my oldest son (5 1/2) made me a
    breadwarmer at preschool (very interesting looking thing!) -
    And they gave me a very nice flower arrangement with a yellow
    rose from each of the boys and a white rose from my daughter.
    Of course, Daddy had alot to do with that selection!!   
    I've worked the weekend shift for several years so have yet
    to celebrate a Mother's Day at home.  Perhaps I'll take a
    vacation day next year!  I miss being with my kids on special
    days like that!   Lila
    
    

    
    My son woke me up with a kiss and a big happy mother's day hug. I thought
    it was sweet that he didn't even have to be reminded. My husband gave
    me a mother's ring that I've been hinting at and I was very pleased.
    My daughter was her usual silly, funny, into everything self so all in
    all it was a very nice day.
    
    We had hoped to do something outdoors, (Canobie Lake or the zoo) but
    it was way to cold. I really wish it would warm up, it's like there's
    so much to do but so little time. I can't wait for summer!
    
                        Barbara
    

    My son (with Daddy's $$) bought me a new camera... something I've 
    been needing since mine kicked the bucket.  I've been all stressed out
    that we wouldn't have a camera to take pictures of the new
    baby's first moments of life (due in 4+ weeks). Also celebrated
    with 2 nice dinners out with family (Daddy catered to my 3 yr old so I 
    could enjoy dinner - that was the BEST part!)
    
    There were just little things all weekend that Daddy did to
    make mommy feel appreciated.  One of them was that on Sat. afternoon 
    he kept Mitchell busy so that I could sew for 4 hrs!!  I've been trying 
    to make a bassinet skirt for months now, but just haven't had the 
    free time to do it... it was fun to start and finish a project in the 
    same day!
    
    I had a great Mother's Day!  Wish it were more than once a year ;-)
    
    julie
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Well, Angeline couldn't go get me a card or anything...but she
    gave me her normal sweet self all day.
    
    I had (believe it or not!) a date Saturday night that didn't get
    me home until very, very, late (or very early a.m.).  Mom needed
    a nice day with no temper flares, and she gave me just that.  She
    was a doll all day.
    
    Then we snuggled in MaMa's bed together Sunday night with her hugging 
    me until we both fell asleep.
    
    I just love that kid!  :-)
       							cj *->

    
    I had a great day!!  Jonathan *Hates* to give kisses, and kisses on the
    lips are are COMPLETELY out of the question (he'll kiss your cheek,
    sometimes!).  On Mother's Day, he started Sat night, by actually going
    to sleep in his own bed, and leaving us to ourselves - a pleasant
    change.  On Sunday, he didn't wake up till 9am, and then came in our
    room, and cuddled up next to me.  He was just laying there, and we were
    talking, when Jonathan says "Mommy, come here!", and he pulled me over
    to look at him, and he pulled his pacifier out of his mouth, and
    planted a big kiss on my lips!!  Then my cheeks.  Then he said "Awww,
    Mommy!" ... right befre I could say "Awww, Jonathan - I love you!" to
    which he replied "I love you too Mommy, and then gave me two more
    kisses!!
    
    He was really good all day.  The two older boys came over around 11:30,
    and were as close to angels as is possible with these two.  Even when
    they started getting bicker-y, they went off to their rooms to
    read/watch tv.  Later on, we went to the mall and bought me a pair of
    MUCH needed sneakers, then went out to supper at the Outback
    Restaurant.  Al did all my little running around to the store and back,
    that I needed done, and got me some flowers for the garden.  The boys
    bought me some very nice, small gifts, and each made me a "coupon book"
    with more opportunities to behave.  
    
    I had a great day!!!  
    
    -Patty

    
    My mothers day wasn't so great.  Can somebody teach my husband
    a thing or two?
    
    I got cards from my husband and daugther which was nice but
    the day went downhill from there.
    
    First, I had to make a couple of dishes to take to my mother
    in laws house, then my husband refused to do the dishes there
    even though he always does them at home so my MIL and I did them.
    Then my MIL (who I really do like) talked at me all afternoon when
    all I wanted was a nap (I actually fell asleep on her but what
    can you expect after a big meal and 8 months pregnant!).
    
    Next year, I'm going to insist that Mothers day is MY day, not
    my husbands MOTHERS day.  She's had her turn!  Now its mine!  I
    want to get spoiled!  At a minimum, I don't want to find myself
    cooking dinner and cleaning up!
    
    Oh well... my husband definately won't get spoiled on Fathers
    day this year if this baby comes early like I expect!
    
    Karen
    

    
    
    
    -1 Boy, do I know the feeling!
    
    My sisters and I usually divide up the holidays and Mothers day
    was my responsibilty for several years. After my son was born we were
    still taking her out to eat because it was expected. But after she
    sat and critized us in the restaurant for 3 hours about how he should 
    be acting (2.5 years old at this point) I said never again.
    
    Now mothers day is my day and I really enjoy it. My sister who has no
    kids now has my mother over and I take her out (by myself) for her
    birthday. I know alot of people don't get along with their MIL but
    I'd take mine any day over my own mother. Oh well, just the way things
    are sometimes I guess.
    
    
                             Barbara
    

    
    Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who had a ho-hum mother's day.
    My husband spent most of the morning and afternoon in the basement
    reloading shotgun shells. After lunch I got the kids settled with a
    movie and sat down to make a necklace (I make beaded necklaces,
    bracelets, and earrings). Well, I got a bit accomplished and then the
    kids wanted to "help". My husband emerged from the bedroom, calls over
    Anna and they go and get my mother's day gift. Now here I am sitting
    with loose beads all over my bead board and the 2-year old wanting to
    help and in they come with my gifts!!! I completely ignored them until
    I got the beads put away. I felt bad for Anna, but what was he
    thinking!! Anyways, I do love my gifts (a cedar gazebo bird feeder and
    a hummingbird feeder), now I just have to hope he gets them put up
    soon, though we may have to wait due to the bears in the
    Townsend/Ashby/Lunenburg/Fitchburg area. It's been said to take in all
    food for 2 weeks so the bears will move on. I almost went away by
    myself for the weekend, maybe next year.
    
    Patty