Mother's Day Tea

       This Friday, my Larger Child's kindergarten class invited the moms to join them for an afternoon of celebration of all things Mom.  I luckily found a wonderful friend to watch Smaller Child so I could go and devote 100% of my attention to Big Brother, without distraction.
     Larger Child was clearly very excited about this day. He talked about it all week, reminding me of the time, and even letting me in on some of the "secret surprises" that would be in store for me.  When I dropped him off for school that day, he swiftly kissed my cheek and said, "See you soon Mom! I'm so excited!"
     We were greeted at the door with a flower and the hand of our child to escort us down the "Red Carpet" (strip of red butcher paper) and introduced to the class one by one. Larger Child was beaming, which of course made me beam as well.  He pulled out my chair and informed me that this was where I was suppose to sit.  He also didn't fail to mention to me that he wasn't allowed to sit in a chair, they were "for the Mom's" but that he was allowed to sit in my lap.  I looked at his hopeful eyes, and instantly swooped him up to put him in my lap.

     It dawned on me, at that moment, how much this boy has grown.  Yes, the 45+ pounds of boy crushing my lap did help reenforce this fact, as did the lanky legs and long arms that touched the ground almost the same as mine did. But, it was something more.  His eloquence. His demeanor.  His spirit.  He has always seemed older than his age, but there was something there that day that helped me to realize my baby boy was no more.  There was a full fledged young man with me, a young man learning manners, chivalry, and kindness.  It was nearly overwhelming.

   After some cuddles and chatting, he then proceeded to show me the gifts he had made for me.  A Mother's Day card, ceramic print of his hand, a paper teapot and teabag, and a place mat.  He had worked hard on these gifts, and his pride was glowing in his face! I was touched!!

     The place mat may have been one of the cutest things I have ever seen. One side he drew a picture of the two of us in a flower field.  The other side was a drawing he did of me, and some of his favorite things about me. 

I mean, come on.... does it get much sweeter than that???

     The kids then all filed up to the front of the classroom where they sang us a few songs (including You Are My Sunshine) and recited us a poem that each of them had memorized a line from.  I am pretty sure you could get a group of kindergarteners to do anything in unison and it would be just precious.  But, because one of them was MY kindergartener, and he was singing those songs to ME, well... my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. 

     After the adorable entertainment, they each served their mothers cookies, fruit and pink lemonade.  This was one of the surprises that he had made me privy to before that day.  We had a long joking discussion about me being lured there under false pretenses, asking him where my tea was! (I love the fact that I can use language like that and joke with my six year old in that way and he not only understands, he is as equally prepared to joke back!) He also let me know, in a slightly disappointed tone, that he wouldn't be allowed to eat until after the Moms were done. 

     After snacks, we were lead outside and informed that we would be planting a flower in the school's butterfly garden together.  We chose a begonia.  Jake and I planted it together, and discussed how he could come and visit the flower and remember how we planted it together when he did. 

     After the flower planting we headed home.  I thanked him again, and squeezed him hard. I told him how much I loved him and how grateful and proud of him I was. I was THRILLED to spend this time with Larger Child. I was even more thrilled at how much it seemed to mean to him. It really was a wonderful day.