It's Good To Be Mom

Happy Mothers Day! Woke this morning to fresh bagels (mmmm...bagels) and my favorite lotion in the whole world from L'Occitane--hand and foot versions--from my dear husband.

Also, I really cleaned up in the hand-made gift department. If this year's bounty is a harbinger of things to come, I better start clearing those shelves.

In preschool, Jarrah made a puzzle (she assured me that the ink is "pernament") and a flower arrangement ("My teacher finished it with a glue gun, because I'm too young to use a glue gun") and a beautiful mug that says "I Love You." (Readers, I got two gifts that say "I Love You!") Jarrah says I can use it "to enjoy beverages every day, including tea." I'm a little skeptical about that, to tell you the truth, since it seems to be made of plastic and paper--maybe some pencils will find a home in there.

Last night David came to video Sylvia, and for the first time that I can remember, neither of our regular babysitters were free. Getting creative, I remembered that when Jarrah was a baby, a friend of a friend had sat for us with great success, and though I haven't seen her since, I decided to Facebook her on the off-chance she was free and willing. She was!

And what did I do to deserve such babysitting good fortune? Not only is Jarrah smitten with Teresa, but Teresa brought two huge plastic caddies filled with art projects for her young charge. And when I woke up this morning, Jarrah presented me with two of the gifts you see above--a jewelry box decorated inside and out with tiny beads ("It's like another planet in there!" I exclaimed, demonstrating that the odd gift commentary is not limited to five-year-olds) and a gorgeous bead necklace with a clasp and everything.

What? No texting her boyfriend with one eye on Jersey Shore while Jarrah cuts off her own hair? A babysitter who plans ahead to create art with my delighted child in my honor?

Now that's a pretty cool Mother's Day gift all by itself.