you are my son-shine

Today I was invited to Little Boy's preschool for a Mother's Tea. It was magical, memorable, brought me to tears more than once, and made me so proud to be a Mother.

Little Boy has been very excited about today and has talked about the presents he made for me at school. We took Fat Girl to daddy's office to hang out for a little while so Little Boy could have me all to himself. (Daddy and Fat Girl had quite the adventure. He took her walking around the pond, to the playground, and for a walk by the river. She was worn out when I came back to get her. I'm thinking about taking her to hang out with daddy before naptime every day.) What was I talking about? Oh yes, the Mother's Tea.

Upon arrival, the kids went into their classroom and the moms were hussled into an empty classroom to wait for a few minutes while they prepared. The moms from Little Boy's class have never been especially friendly or talkative, so it was a bit awkward for me. It was icy until redhead mom showed up and declared that her kids were filthy and she was not a bad mother because of it. She explained that they went outside and dumped ashes into each other's hair just before it was time to come. I laughed, the other moms looked at each other and chuckled nervously and unconvincingly. Maybe redhead mom and I should hang out---we both seem to be the outcast moms of this group!

We were called out in the hallway and lined up in the same order as the children and each mother came in the room one at a time. I came in third and saw Little Boy all dressed up in a man's green dress shirt and a tie---he looked so cute! All the boys were dressed like that and all the girls had on adorable little aprons. Little Boy came forward and put a bead and pasta necklace around my neck, and asked me if I would read him a story (teary time #1). We went over to the floor and read a couple of short books together.
After every mom received her beautiful jewelry and stories were read all around, the kids led us to our seats where a sweet picture of our kids were the place card. Inside it was a poem about handprint (teary time #2) and had our kid's handprint in it. The kids went to the front and serenaded us with a few songs---You are My Sunshine (teary time again), I Love You, and Happy Mother's Day To You.
After the concert concluded, each child showed the placemat he or she had made for his or her mother. The placemats say, "I love my mom because..." Little Boy said "I love my mom because she makes me two cookies." Apparently, I should start making cookies if that's why he loves me.
After the placemats were all handed out, the kids went and got trays and bowls of food (rolls, chicken salad, muffins, fruit salad, fruit dip, veggie tray, veggie dip, & lemonade) and served us all. The were so excited. One little girl told me I should really try the chocolate muffins. I did and she was right---yummy. The kids then sat down with us and we had a nice little brunch.
This was the most fun I've had in a long time! (Since the last Girls Night with Emily and Jami at the very least!) I was the only mom who seemed more than mildly amused, the only mom who got teary, and the only mom who brought a camera. But, the jokes on them because I'm also the only mom who now has a 30-second video of her son singing "You Are My Sunshine" with a big sun around his face. How happy am I!