Purple Tulips and Other Surprises

I told my friend Miss Mo Rose to expect each Mother's Day to get better with each passing year, and this one was no exception. Yesterday, as I arrived home from grocery shopping, hubby said, "Oh good, you're back. Next time leave the car with the car seat, ok?" I felt guilty, not realizing that maybe someone might need to sneak away on a secret Mother's Day buying mission. The Bambina piped up, "We're going to the bank machine, the drive-thru bank machine. That's what Daddy said to tell you." She looked away quickly, that poker-faced kid of mine. Sheer torture for her, I know. We spend so much time together it's a wonder she didn't break down and tell me all the details.

And today she was so proud to hand over the store-bought card she'd inscribed to me and signed herself (a few days ago I helped her make the homemade one.) Later at Nonna's house, she presented each of the moms with their own heart card, and Nonna put hers up on immediate display. Sister C surprised me with some tulips and Sister A (Happy Birthday) fed us so well with her perfectly done breaded chicken. Let's not forget Nonna's wicked homemade lasagna, Sister C's elegant white cake with lemon filling (finally, something for everyone in this finicky and spoiled family), and the great big squishy hug from my nephew Mr. Dimples (if you ask him where he got them from, he'll reply, "God." It's true.)

There's something else, my friends. Check this out. I know, I know, I'm Canadian, but don't tell them. (Thanks to Caroline for the link!)

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be. (And Happy Birthday, Bono.)