The best Mother's Day gifts

Hard to believe this photo was taken almost 8 years ago,




just after I became a mom of 2.





1. Jewelery. Not the kind that the TV commercials tell you I want. I want the kind that is slaved over by a kid that has mismatched beads and a string tied so loosely together that it will probably fall apart in first few minutes of ownership, and I'm not talking about the Wal-Mart jewelery. Gold and diamonds do not tell me Happy Mother's Day, it tells me we spent too much money to say those words.




2. Cards. Not the kind you buy and sign and then I set on my dresser for 3 weeks debating how long until I can throw it away or even if I should, and if not where do I keep it? I want one that requires thought, scissors, markers, glue, and maybe even a clever little poem. Those have a special place in my drawer and in my heart.




3. Housework. Not done by me, silly goose. Just one day a year I'd like someone else to do what I do. And by someone else, I mean those children that I created.




4. Breakfast in bed. No, I don't want you to bring me burned toast and undercooked eggs so I can make a mess in my bed and then have to re-wash my sheets and then go do the dishes you left. I mean YOU go make and eat your own breakfast in the kitchen while I stay in bed and sleep.




5. Listening. I want children to hear what I say and do it. I'm not silly enough to expect that the other 364 days of the year. Just one. It's not too much, I swear. Just try it.




6. Silence. I'd like to read a whole chapter of a book without being interrupted. Don't laugh at me.




7. A closed complaint box. For one day I want to hear NOBODY complain about a freaking thing. I don't want to hear that your socks are too tight or that you don't like pork chops or that something isn't fair or that you're bored. Shut it.




8. A spa day. By spa day, I mean a 15 minute hot shower with the door locked.




9. Flowers. No roses. Nothing fancy. A couple of handpicked wildflowers makes me just as happy. Actually, happier, because they're free.




10. Chocolate. Not a big box of chocolates I have to share with everyone. A simple bag of Pretzel M&M's, like I bought for myself and scarfed down in the car when no one was looking today was the best.




11. A simple thank you.

Lucky for me, I have the best husband and kids in the world who know all these things and provide them for me. Well, except maybe 3, 5, 6, and 7, but we can't expect perfection, now can we?