Girl Friend

First day of freedom and I had plans.
Plans which did NOT involve recess duty or math manipulatives.
Plans which DID include shoe shopping and Starbucks.
I popped my head into Hillary's room to see if she wanted to come along.
She didn't even hesitate.
And an hour later we were on our way to the city.  Me and my girl.

We ate pretzel dogs and perused racks of pastel ruffly things.
We tried on shoes.
We took turns coming out of dressing rooms, commenting on the cuteness of the other's couture.
We tried on more shoes.
I played with make-up in Sephora and she picked up every piece of jewelry in Charming Charlies.
We got Starbucks.
We tried on even more shoes.

And after buying belts and mascara and shoes and shirts we headed home.

We are good at this, she and I.  After all, we've been practicing since she was 3 and I was a lonely young mother in a new city.  In those days we would head to the mall for a big, decorated cookie...that being the only treat I could afford.  And today, just like back then, she fell asleep as I drove us home...her music filling the car and her friendship filling my heart.

Riding in Cars with Boys

Parker and I headed out the door.  We were on our way to pack up my classroom for the summer.  As soon as my foot hit the concrete floor of the garage, the question was popping out of Parker's mouth...

"Can I drive?"

I tossed him the keys.

He chauffeured me to the bank, the gas station, the post office...one hand on the wheel...reflective shades carefully in place...music on...never complaining, just happy to be behind the wheel.

And I was happy to be along for the ride.

We pulled up to Sonic, and I proudly noticed how polite he was to the lady on the other side of the speaker.  As he paid for our drinks (with my money) I ripped paper off his straw and pulled it out of it's sheath with my teeth. "Uh oh!" I said.  "I just put my teeth on your straw."

He just rolled his eyes.  "So. You're my mom," he said.  "You'll probably be doing that when I'm 30 and I still won't care."

Horrified I replied, "Oh, God!  I hope not!"  Surely he'll have a wife to put her teeth on his straw by then.  And I do NOT plan on being that Mother-in-Law.

Anyway, we made it to my school where Parker and another of my Favorite Young Men made a manly show of carrying boxes and holding doors, making me feel well-loved and taken care of. 

Later that afternoon, I was back in the passenger seat, only this time it was Hubby's hands on the wheel.  He chauffeured me to Aldi, Wal-Mart, Panera, and Target...one hand on the wheel...reflective shades carefully in place...never complaining, just happy to be with me.

And I was happy to be along for the ride.

Hubby was polite to the lady at Starbucks, and I couldn't help thinking that Parker was learning to be a Good Man by watching a Good Man.  In-between lessons on shooting a basketball, changing a tire, and mowing a lawn, Parker has been getting lessons in Living in the moment and Loving a woman.  I think it's starting to stick.

It wasn't so long ago that I chafed at being chauffeured...craving control and fearing that anyone else's hands on the wheel would certainly take me somewhere I didn't want to go.  

But Parker isn't the only one who's been learning lessons.

I've learned that Life is a looong trip.  And it's so much nicer when you take turns driving.

So today I relax into my seat...feet on the dash...sun on my face...starbucks in hand...and I enjoy the ride.

Re-Fueling

A madman with a gun almost ruined my day. 

He led the cops on a merry chase, shooting stuff up and locking schools down.  My first graders and I spent morning recess playing inside with the sunshine mocking us from the window.  And then I found out my sister had been on the road with the action…saw it…heard it.  She’s ok.  But still…

On days like this, when end-of-the-school-year stress is at a peak and the cafeteria serves Cook’s Choice…when people are unpredictable and a 6 year old asks you, “Did you get a plastic tooth in the front?”…at least I have the memories of days like last weekend.

Heading to the track meet fully prepared for every contingency (heat, cold, rain, boredom).  Driving thru sunshine all by myself.  Singing at the top of my lungs and making faces to go with it.  Replaying the same song 12 times because I’m feeling it and there is no one to be annoyed. 

Watching Parker do his thing…
 

Sitting in the shade as he joins me between races, making me feel exactly like Hillary did 15 years ago when her friends asked her to come play and she replied in her 3 yr old voice, “Not now, I’m playing wif my mom.”
The Man in the Yellow Hat was there too, proudly coaching from the sidelines, as usual.  I don't hang out with him for fear I'll be mistaken for Curious George.

And then there’s THIS wonderful day…

All four of us together for church, lunch, and a day in the park. 

And ice cream and Starbucks…of course!

So on days like today I read blog posts like this one.  And I look at the pictures and relive all those Good Moments.  And I thank my lucky stars that I have a husband and children that make Mother’s Day come more than once a year.  Then I text a friend and watch a funny tv show. 

And I am Re-fueled.

Bring it, Life.  I’m ready.  Even on a day like today.

Throwing Knives and Shooting Stars

If you give a boy your debit card...
He's going to ask to order Ninja Throwing Knives.

If you order the knives,
he's going to ask you for the throwing stars to go with it.

When the items arrive,
he'll want to practice his Ninja skills.
Even if it's raining outside.

The rain will remind him that he needs his Muck boots.

Which he will wear to retrieve the knives that missed the large plywood target and fell in the mud.

The muddy knives and stars will probably make him holler up the stairs to his mom to bring him a big glass of water and an old dirty towel.

Seeing his mom, he will say
"Hey, mom...You wanna watch me throw?"

Which will cause his Mother to put off doing laundry and grab her camera.

And chances are,
if you let your mom take pictures of you Throwing Knives and Shooting Stars,
she's probably going to write a blog to go with it.