Mother’s Day. In the commercials you see on TV it’s all about pampering, shopping, elaborate gifts and gourmet food. But the reality of Mother’s Day is a little different, especially for a mom of three young boys.
My Mother’s Day always begins with the unveiling of wonderful homemade gifts that my boys made at school, or with their dad. This is my absolute favorite part, actually! Usually they can’t wait for me to see what they made for me, and they spend most of the week prior to the special day trying so hard not to tell me.
Many moms are treated to breakfast in bed, or go out to a fancy brunch with their families dressed to the nines. But that’s not really our style. And while I do appreciate the hard work that goes into the burnt toast and rubbery eggs that my boys might make, I also don’t mind eating cold cereal with them while we watch morning cartoons together in our pajamas without worrying about having to rush off anywhere.
Every year it’s up to me to pick what we’re going to do on Mother’s Day. My three energetic boys aren’t really interested in going to the mall, or to see a girly movie with me. And I don’t think it’s very nice of me to ditch them and celebrate alone while getting a massage. For me, celebrating Mother’s Day is more about celebrating the people who made me a mother, rather than celebrating myself for being awesome. (Don’t worry, I celebrate myself pretty often!)
So this year I decided to change it up a bit and I picked an activity that was something I don’t even like to do. I packed up some drinks, food, towels, and sunscreen and we headed to the beach. I know, I know, how can I not like the beach? Unfortunately it’s just not something I love. But, it’s one of my family’s favorite places to be, and to see them happy is worth more than anything.
I watched happily as my youngest had an absolute blast with every aspect of the beach. He started out by eating some sand. Yum!
He crawled over to the crashing waves, and probably would have crawled right into the water if I had let him. He wanted nothing more than to take a dip in the ocean, but he’s not quite ready for that. So my husband held onto him while the waves came and went.
My husband and my older boys even built a big “pool” that he could sit in and play in, without having to worry about being overtaken by the current. I was really thrilled to see them all working together so nicely.
Of course he loved his own personal water play area!
We enjoyed our fancy lunch that consisted of watermelon, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pretzels. With ice cold water to drink.
Best of all, I even got to do the one thing that I really love doing at the beach – or anywhere for that matter…
I got a lovely Mother’s Day nap!
I hope all of you moms had a fantastic Mother’s Day doing whatever it is you love the most.
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Such cuties! What a fun day!