The best gift ever

A.

So, a couple of things. First off, we attended an awesome birthday party for my nephew AJ yesterday. I worked overnight the night before so I left a note for Steve and the kids to wrap the present for him that I had left on the counter while I slept before the party. It was Thomas backpack filled with a lantern and some sweet activities to do while in a tent, because his dad had made him a tent for his birthday. Anyway, Eli told me he also wrapped a card for AJ too. Awesome. So we went to the party.

AJ opened his gifts and then I heard my brother say, "Why are there waffles in it?" And at first I ignored it, because why would that be something someone would be saying? I'm tired after all and I'm hearing things. But he kept saying it. And then it hit me. I just knew that my kid had put waffles in the backpack. I just knew.

B.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. We are honoring that of course. But this morning at the breakfast table, I said to the kids, "Today is National Clean Your Room Day". They all looked up to see if I was serious and I kept my face as straight as could be. Olivia nodded thoughtfully and said, "Memorial Day is tomorrow. Clean your room day is today. That makes sense." And they all went back to eating. And they TOTALLY bought it. And then they cleaned their rooms. Can anyone else even handle this?? #momwin

C.

The people at Eli's daycare know this to be normal, but this is how Eli is dressed today. Standard.

D.

Finally, these are fresh cut from my very own yard.

I love nature and I love this time of year. I'm thankful for the people who fight for our country and for those who paid the price for our freedom. Have a safe holiday everyone!

Oh, and if you have ever received an awesome gift like wrapped waffles, please share.

A note in the bathroom

And all this time, I thought the Ninja Turtles one was mine.

I love the first born. What would I do without her notes? However, I have a feeling this one was meant for DAD.

Some moms go on all the field trips

Eli had a field trip last week. In anticipation of this field trip, he brought it up no less than 400 times to me. Normally, he doesn't care if I am there or not, but this time he expected me to be present. And normally, I would be there in a heartbeat because I love field trips. I've gone on plenty during my mom tenure. This one was to the zoo. Bring it on. But this time, it was to fall on the morning after of the third night in a row that I had worked overnight.

Ouchie.

So I explained it to him rationally, (like you do to toddlers....)

"Mommy has to work, Eli. I'm going to be very tired. I'm sorry. I don't think I can come to your field trip this time."

Eli: "Some moms don't work."

Me: "Yyyyyeah. I know."

Eli: "You'll be at the zoo with me, right Mom?"

Me: "Ummmm, well, I have work, buddy. I'm sorry."

Eli: "Some moms go on all the field trips."

Whammie.


Me: "See you then."


Ok. So, I can't say no. Whatever that makes me. Whatever. I'm too tired to process that. Doesn't matter. He wasn't being mean or manipulative. He was just observing. Some moms do go on all the field trips. Great. So, I will go on this one. Because for some reason, this time, he wants me to go. So, I was hoping that since I was going to tape my eyeballs open to go on this one, he would really want me there. Since I'd be sleep deprived beyond recognition and since I had to be fingerprinted to go as a chaperone and all of that, that maybe he wouldn't run off and forget that I came?

TOTAL WIN.

He jumped off the bus into my arms.

He held my hand. 

We saw all the animals.

See the wallaby? He was actually quite nervous for this photo...

We ran around and did kid things. We bought a snack, laughed at some very funny orangutans, and ran through some dino bones.

See how he's too tall for the kangaroo pouch??

We loved every second despite the rain until about 11:00 when it was time for lunch and I could stay awake no longer. I bowed out gracefully, I think, and Eli went on to have a lovely lunch with his friends and I went home to sleep. I'd like to mention that I love Eli's daycare/preschool so much. They always go above and beyond to give the kids the best experiences and the teachers clearly love the kids. I can't say enough about them. They are near and dear to me. Shout out to you- Beautiful Beginnings. How we will miss you when we embark upon the Big K this year.

I can't go on all the field trips, but I am super glad that I could do this one. I love love love him. I am so glad I am his mom.