Mothers Day

Mothers day.  A day all us mum's look forward to.  A whole day of "behave - It's mothers day" and "Can you do it dear? It's mothers day" excuses while we enjoy our breakfast in bed and a day off cooking.  Nice! 

It started off well, with coffee and toast after a wee sleep in (not too long, we had church and I have to be there an hour early to get ready for the kids programme).  I was showered with homemade cards, pipe cleaner flowers and a coke bottle gift basket full of avon samples.  Even Marty remembered to get me a card this year to my great surprise and delight!  What more could a mother ask for?!  

After church, we were in for a big treat.  Our friends, the Reed family, had invited us, along with some mutual friends, along to their place for a buffet lunch.  Buffet lunch? I wondered if this was some English way of saying 'pot luck", which is what we normally do if having a group for lunch here in NZ.  But no, our lovely UK friends had really meant a buffet lunch - a spread that could rival Christmas dinner and left us so full that we didn't even eat dinner that night.  Debbie, you are amazing.  With a new baby girl strapped to her chest, and 2 preschoolers running around her feet, Debbie put on a three course meal for us on Mother's Day.  

Super mum!

We barely saw our three once they got in the door.  It was so lovely watching all the kids run around outside together and enjoying each other's company.  I believe that as parents we need to be quite intentional about helping our children develop good friendships at a young age by giving them opportunties like this to 'hang out' with families that we know and trust.  We were able to sit back and chat, and chat, and chat.  

The kids had a great time together

But the day was not over yet! We were hosting an afternoon tea for our own Mothers (and also Marty's sister's family and their Nana), so managed to get home just in time to get the kids out of the car before they showed up.  Of course, we were put to shame by Debbie, and stuck to our traditional "everyone bring a plate and the load will be shared" format.  

Sausage rolls, jaffa cake, mini eclairs and more kept everyone happy, and with a new kitten and two living rooms, we didn't see the cousins/ best mates once they were fed.  Us adults settled down for some great conversation and sharing that led us through well into the early evening.  The kids were in bed by 7pm, and Marty and I snuggled up on the couch to watch American Idol together.  Time flies when you are with those you love.  Thanks for a wonderful mothers day!