Mother's Day Surprises

This morning I was awoken from an awful dream in which Scott and I were fighting (and then I was complaining about Scott to Scott (he had a clone of some sort)) to two little girls standing over my bed saying, "Mummy! Mummy! Happy Valentine's Day!"

Needless to say I was a bit confused in my sleepy state and mumbled something gracious to them and rolled back over. A moment later they were back. "Mummy! Mummy! We have a present for you!"

It slowly started to dawn on me that today is Mother's Day (not Valentine's Day, despite their confusion). I'd genuinely given it very little thought this year. I pried my eyes open to see through my poor vision without glasses what they were holding. It was a brown bag with what looked like something wrapped up in a blanket. This is a thing they do: find things, wrap them up with blankets and ribbons (or shoelaces or neckties), and give to us parents as 'gifts'. I thought this was the same idea. But as they shoved it closer to my face, I realised it was wrapped in wrapping paper. Oh no, I thought. I wonder what kind of mess they've made this morning with the wrapping paper and tape.

Jaguar was still asleep beside me, so I was worried the sound of ripping open the paper would wake him, but the girls were so eager, I didn't want to disappoint them by not opening their 'gifts'. I started to unwrap, and realised it was wrapped very well. And as my eyes and brain adjusted, I realised it was not wrapping paper that I had in the house. And it wasn't a familiar shape. Slowly I realised that the kids has gotten me a real Mother's Day present! I quietly ripped all the paper away to discover they had gotten me a baking magazine with free butterfly cookie cutters and cake glitter.

"We found some pennies in our pocket yesterday and bought you a present!" Fifi exclaimed.

"The other present is cookies!" Lolly exclaimed.

"Lolly! You're giving it away!" Fifi admonished.

There was indeed a second present, a packet of cookies. I was truly surprised and delighted. What a lovely way to wake up in the morning! The girls were so pleased with themselves.

"And now we're going to let you sleep in," Fifi said. "We'll go make ourselves some toast for breakfast."

I'm a lucky mummy.

(Scott didn't make them get their own breakfast. He woke up then and took them through to the kitchen for breakfast while Jaguar and I continued to sleep for a couple more hours. And then at church, the girls made Mother's Day cards and gave me daffodils. And as a Mother's Day treat to all of us, I bought us a KFC bucket for lunch to save having to make anything or clean any dishes. And tonight we are meeting up with the family for Mother's Day dinner at a restaurant. These are happy days.)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mums out there, and all the mums in heaven too.