Mother's Day 2012

Today has been a very special Mother's Day for me.  I think the reason that this particular day seems EVEN more special than all of the others in the past is simply because Sam finally understands the significance of the holiday.  She has been asking for days if we are going to have a cake, and she made it perfectly clear that she wanted to be involved in sealing cards (she likes to lick the envelopes closed) and wrapping presents with tape and scissors.

So last night, Steve took her to the dollar store in town so that she could shop for me.  As they were leaving, I pulled him aside and told him to let her pick out whatever she wanted for me.  I told him that if she chose a huge clown hat or a card that said "Happy Bah Mitzvah" instead of "Happy Mother's Day," well, so be it.  It was completely up to her and I would love anything that she chose.

When they arrived home, they set to work decorating the card and envelope and wrapping the presents behind a closed door in the dining room.  She warned me several times not to peek!

(After she had gone to bed, with the promise that I would open my gifts in the morning -- on Mother's Day -- Steve confided to me on the couch that he did feel the need to steer her in a different direction on two occasions.  First, she wanted to get me a pair of dollar store panties (which Steve informed me were absolutely "hideous") and secondly, she suggested getting me some fabric softener.  He encouraged her to look in a different part of the store).


Opening my card with my helpers:

Sam chose some beautiful Spring towels for our kitchen:

And some new red plastic drinking cups:

But the best part ...

A special monkey drinking "device" ... And she is SO proud of it!

We then took a few minutes to capture some photos of Momma and her girls.


The girl that first made me a mom:

And the girl that taught me that it was possible to have enough love in my heart for TWO little girls:

They make me so happy:

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As an impromptu activity, we decided on a whim to pack a quick picnic lunch and take the girls to the zoo today.  I'm so glad that we did.  The weather was beautiful; there were lots of animals to see; and we all had a great time.

We always have to stop and see the fish in the aquarium.  It's Sam's "thing" to do.

The bald eagle:

Even Sophia got excited enough to sit up on her knees so that she could see the animals a little better:

Posing with Momma:

The rhinoceros:

The peacock:

Posing with Momma:

The Golden Pheasant:

The turtles:

The tiger (one of many that were there):

The giraffe statues ... We seem to always get a picture of these every time we go to the zoo.  And this trip was no exception.

And finally, we concluded our visit with a picnic lunch:

I am so lucky and so thankful for my little girls.  They mean everything to me.  Today isn't just about celebrating me as a mom -- it's also about celebrating them.  After all, they made who I am today.  For that reason, I am glad that we were able to spend the holiday together doing something that we would all enjoy ...  Here's to many more!