Mother's Day 2011...aka Falling all over my kids, literally!
I look forward to Mother's day every year. I love to see the kids huddle together to plan what they are going to do. I especially love that for that short time, they don't fight! This year it was more of a Mother's day weekend. Saturday started the festivities off with a tea at an adorable Tea House in East Brady called The Henry House. It was Joan, my mother-in-laws idea, and it was a great one. Joan's sister June and their mom, Gramma Hughan also went as well as my sister-in-law Denee and her girls, Breanna and Kaylee. Coley, Hannah, Gianna and I went also. There were two others in attendance...the tiniest Hough boys, Jude and Jonathan. It was such a nice time. It started with the first course, that consisted of fresh fruit and scones with a Chantilly cream that I would bathe in if I could...it was that good! Delish!!!
This was the second course, the Savories. There were three different kinds of sandwiches, shrimp salad, turkey pate and a tomato, bacon crescent roll that was to die for!! The final yummy course was the dessert course. Strawberry cupcakes and cheesecake brownies with a chai dessert tea. The food was delicious and we all had a wonderful time. Thank you to my mother-in-law for arranging the whole thing. We loved it!
Kaylee and Gianna
Denee with her oldest and youngest, Breanna and Jude.
Denee and her beautiful girls who are growing into such lovely young ladies, Kaylee and Breanna.
It was so nice to have this time with my girls, especially with Coley. Things aren't always smooth between a mom and her 15 year old, but I am blessed with her, bumps and all!
Another really neat thing that you could do at the tea was to dress up in fancy hats and gloves and beads. Hannah loved it. She kept trying on the different hats. It was so fun!
They looked so cute in their fancy accessories! We even managed to talk Coley into getting prettied up!
Here is Jonathan, obviously he was less than thrilled with the tea and all of us! He was sound asleep for a good part of the lunch. One of the funniest things that happened, was when I was holding little JP and the sister of the hostess asked if she could hold him. I handed him over and she ooed and awed over him for a minute and then very innocently asked if he was my first! We all got kind of quiet and I could sense everyone trying not to laugh when I replied, " Nope, he's our 9th." Her jaw dropped and she said, "NO! Your 9th?!? Really?" In her defense she was genuinely surprised and very sweet about it, but it was pretty funny. I never get sick of hearing that. I am sucking it all up while I can, because alot of the time, people tell me that I don't look old enough to have 9 children. I am not stupid ( regardless of what my kids say!) I know that the time is coming when I WILL look old enough to have nine kids, so for now, I smile.
This was a very cute picture of Joan and June (Yes they are twins!) with the girls.
Here is the whole crew... minus JP who was asleep in the jeep at this time.
I love this picture of me and my girls.
After the tea we headed home and prepared for the next part of the Mother's Day Extravaganza. We went to Chad and Denee's house where Brian and Chad cooked dinner for everyone. We had yummy steak and chicken shish kabobs, with veggies and rice and strawberry shortcake. They also made burgers and hot dogs for the kids. I ate so much that I thought that I was going to explode.
The next morning I woke up at 7:00. I could already hear the kids up and scurrying around. I had to go to the bathroom, so Brian checked things out and gave me the all clear. I didn't want to ruin any pending surprises. I headed to the bathroom and then crawled back into my bed with a book and my baby who needed to nurse. I eventually got a little bit restless because I knew that there were a million things that I needed to do to get everyone ready for church on time. I gave Jonathan a bath and picked out his clothes and the slipped into the little boys' room to pick out their clothes as well as Hannah and Gianna's. By then Coley came back to my room and told me that they were ready for me. YAY! I couldn't wait to see what was in store for me! I had no idea what to expect. She told me that they were waiting for me on the front porch. I headed down the steps and tripped over one of DJ's ginormous tennis shoes and fell. I heard a very loud crack and felt excruciating pain! I had sprained my stupid ankle. So much for the kids surprising me! I managed to surprise everyone (including myself!) with my grand entrance! Brian helped me back up the steps and onto the couch and got me some ice. Once things calmed down, I tried again and with Brian's help I actually made it outside to see the best mother's day presents ever! There was a swing for outside (which I have wanted forever!!) and it was covered with little gifts from all of the kids. There was jewelery made by the girls and Noah. There was a hammock from Aiden, tea from the girls and candles and candy and a necklace from DJ. JP got me a mug that said "Whoever made up the saying "Sleeps like a baby" didn't have a baby!" So very appropriate!!! There were lots of beautiful homemade cards as well as a homemade potholder from Isaac. Coley had put together a beautiful power point slideshow with pictures of all of the kids and sayings to me from each of them. It was beautiful! I loved every second of it! Once I was showered with all of my gifts, I hopped back into the house and we had homemade muffins and coffees and tea for breakfast. Everyone got ready for church and we were on our way. Unfortunately, my little tumble down the stairs set us back and we were running late. When we got to church Brian dropped us all off at the door and said that he would bring JP. I looked right at him and said, "Do NOT forget the baby!" He laughed and pulled away. Since we were late the only place with enough empty seats for all of us was in the front row. A few minute later Brian slipped into his seat and I looked at him in disbelief..."Where is the baby?!?!" I mouthed to him. A look of pure terror washed over his face and he bolted right out of the church! Seriously!!!! He forgot the baby! I can't even say anything to him, because he felt terrible about it. And since we were sitting in the very front row, everyone saw what happened and he's not living this one down for a looooooooong time! Poor guy. He stood in the back with Jonathan for the first part of mass and then Aiden started to act up so I took him back and traded the noisy toddler for the peacefully sleeping infant. Fair? Nope, but it was Mother's Day and my foot hurt, so I figured I could. Besides that, I wanted everyone to see that the baby was no worse for wear despite being left behind. The funny thing is that Brian always jokingly says, "We have all nine, give or take a few!" He doesn't really mean that!
After church, we headed to Mema's for lunch with my family. It was so nice to see everyone. The food was great as usual and the company was exceptional! It was a beautiful day so the kids played outside. Brian played ghost in the graveyard with the kids and Gia came in smiling and out of breath. "Mom! Dad is playing with us and he is the fastest and sneakiest ghost ever!" She was beaming with pride. His earlier indiscretion was forgotten and he was once again the most awesome dad in the world!
Since my mom and Mema share May 15th as their birthday we usually celebrate Mother's day with a cake for them. My cousins and I had all gone in together to get Mema earrings and a necklace to remember her 75th birthday. Her kids and my Poppy got her a wii and a laptop. Seriously, how cool is my grandma!? Not only does she have a facebook page and a cell phone and a laptop, but she has a wii! She's so awesome!
After the cake and ice cream we headed back home where I happily plopped on swing with the baby and nursed him while I read my book. As I was icing my stupid foot, I began to think back over the last few days and smile. Not only did I receive many wonderful gifts, but I have such sweet kids. They are my real gifts. And while I loved the cards and my swing and other neat gifts, I was struck by the fact that each one of them gave me a little gift that they probably weren't even aware of. Little Jonathan is smiling and cooing and started to laugh. He found his hands and gets so excited when he realizes that he can make them move! Aiden has finally learned the word "Sorry" and has started to use it...after he hits or pinches or bites. But hey, it's a start! Noah came into my room first thing on Sunday and gave me a big hug and said, "Happy Mudders day Mommy! I love you so much!" Coming from a rambunctious four year old who I usually have to beg for a hug, that was very special. Gianna's card with the tulips on it, was made just for me because she know that they are my "most favorite flowers." The fact that she knows that and wanted to give me something that she knew that I would like was so sweet. Hannah made me a beautiful crown out of dandelions to wear because she wanted me to feel like a queen for Mother's day. Isaac just kept hugging me. For my little 8 year old boy who is always trying to show how grown up he is, his hugs are few and far between. I cherish every one of them. Jake and DJ put together my swing ( with some help from Brian). They were up very early working on it, just for me. Thoughtfulness from a teenage boy is a special gift in and of itself. And last but not least, to have an entire weekend that Coley and I got along without any major parent/teen drama was wonderful . I loved having her smiling face around! I am blessed beyond blessed! I am also so very thankful for my husband who has made me a mother. Without him none of these things would have happened to make my weekend the wonderful time that it was. I am loved and that is the best gift of them all.
posted by Unknown @ 10:44 PM
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