Tough Guy

The best part of Mother's Day...putting your children to bed; because later you can watch them sleeping and think how sweet they really are. During the day when they are clubbing each other, whining, and talking back...not so much. My Mother's Day really turned out quite perfectly. The children were convinced to help clean up in order to have family friends over for dinner. Husband cleaned out fridge and eradicated all mold growing in that environment. Sweet. You can tell I am not a roses and chocolate kind of gal.
Plus, I got a hand-picked out card and flowers from Builder this morning. He went to the store with Dad while I stayed on the couch with Bounce and watched a riveting Hannah Montana. The card Builder picked out says, "Happy Mother's Day to the best mom in the world from that always hungry, seldom serious, frequently wacky, often rowdy, occasionally tidy, not quite civilized, almost lovable little tough guy who grew up to be me." Designed to be given by an adult, I am not surprised Builder chose it. He thinks he is 25. But it did stop me in my tracks. He gets it. I need to get it too. Someday he will be older; and apparently, there have been many moms before me who also had Builders living in their homes. (Is it fair to say driving them crazy???) And they grew up. Most live in Seattle now, but still, on their own.
Tonight, while tucking them in, I thanked Builder for the card and quoted a few of the adjectives on the card to the boys. I asked Builder his favorite part of the card and he sheepishly said, "the bottom of the card". "You know Mom, tough guy".
He is my tough guy. In so many ways! He thinks he's tough because he can swear like a sailor and defy any request. (And he has mastered that cool guy walk!) I think he's tough; because I need to parent this pipsqueak Sinbad into a respectful, educated, kind person. He is my tough guy.

Mother's Day

So I got my gift early tonight...because it was such a good gift that I would love, hubby couldn't wait. He started talking about it about 3 weeks ago. How great and how perfect this particular gift was for me. I should preface by saying two things. 1. I hate surprises. Totally, can't stand them. 2. I hate getting an expensive gift after being asked for 11 months to "cut expenses" (like at Target! not Prada). So, tonight, the boys unveiled the best gift for me: an industrial size hand sanitizer that mounts on the wall. With refills.
Granted, their hearts and minds were in the right place. But...NOOOOOOO! Opening the gift, I immediately flashed back to my classroom a year ago where multiple children would line up to use said object and/or the numerous times the device never worked and secreted an oozing goop of slime on the floor for days. Not a warm fuzzy memory...plus the fact I was dismissed from said job for lower paid neophyte. And...really what does it say about me????
Nothing good. And even though I know I am overly-zealous when it comes to hand -washing...at least I am old school. Hand-washing. In a sink. With hot water and soap. Happy Mother's Day to me...germ-a-phobe! It is my nightmare realized...
Two years ago, I was subbing in a classroom and the students were writing about what their moms always say to them. I must admit my first thought was, "Oh no, my kids are going to say, "Did you wash your hands?" But later that night, I asked my sons what I always say to them and they said you always say, "I love you." Phew! But yet, hand sanitizer as gift???