Buying My Own Mother's Day Present

About Mother's Day...

Here's my confession: I bought my own present. And while it was more than what Jason would have spent on me, and I perhaps didn't consult him about it as much as I should have, I'm feeling pretty good about it.

And if you hand me the microphone on Mother's Day and ask me, "What are you going to do now that you're a mom?!"

I'd raise my fist into the air and yell victoriously, "I'm going to Disneyland!"

Okay, maybe I won't actually be going to Disneyland. But I could. Because I'm going to Pasadena, California, to visit my sister and Disneyland is practically right there. I might see if I can't sneak in a short trip just to go on a roller coaster or two. I do love roller coasters.

Technically, I'll be home on Mother's Day because I planned it that way. I do actually want to be around my children on Mother's Day to enjoy the whole Hallmark moment of becoming a mom and having my heart and my life and my hips forever and irrevocably altered. The card, the hugs, the breakfast in bed...yes, please. I want all that. Next Thursday, however, I'll be jumping on a plane and flying south for four days.

Four whole days. Four whole nights. Me and my sister. Hanging out. Having fun.

The last time my sister and I hung out--just the two of us--I was seven months pregnant with Sydney. I flew down to North Ft. Myers, Florida, for a week and it was quite fun and adventurous. Just now, I chuckled to myself when I read my blog excerpt from March 29, 2004:

"Oh little fireant, why did you have to bite my "piggy had none" toe? I realize that perhaps I smashed hundreds of your friends as I trod on your little ant hill, yet there was no reason for you to smite me so harshly. Maybe you felt that my feet had had too much fun in the sand of the beautiful beaches and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. And true, my feet had quite the time strolling down the fantastic 5th Avenue in Naples. But you may have had some pity for them since they did get a little bit sunburned, and my ankles are swollen too from all the walking. It's bad form to bite the feet of a pregnant lady."

But there are certain limitations to having fun at seven-months-pregnant in Florida. First of all, I went to bed around 9 pm every night. Secondly, my ankles acted like two giant sponges and soaked up all the moisture in the air. Just put me in a room, and I could dehumidify it in two minutes flat. And, of course, the fireants didn't do me any favors either.

This time our visit together will be different. No pregnancy, so I can stay up late, go on roller coasters, and drink a beer if I want. No kids, who I would have to constantly remind my sister to stop harassing ("gentle" is not part of her vocabulary). No fireants, hopefully. Just a whole lot of hanging out, eating food, and having fun doing whatever we'll be doing. What larks, Pip! What larks! (...points to you if you know what book this line is from...)

So, my gift to myself for Mother's Day is a weekend where Jules gets to stay with Jason's parents, and Sydney gets to have her own weekend with her daddy, and I get to hang out with my sister. Sounds like the perfect gift...for the whole family.

Which, as it turns out, sounds very much like the kind of gift a mother would give.

Speaking of gifts...this post was inspired by Johnson and Johnson and their new charitable giving site Johnson's Baby Cause. Thanks to Parent Bloggers Network for hosting the blog event.

(c) Creature Bug 2008. All rights reserved.

Comments

[Jen]

Oh, what an English teacher you are. Do I get an A+ if I can even tell you what character says this to Pip in Great Expectations?

A trip to California sounds like a wonderful Mother's Day present. Have fun!

[Karen]

What FUN!!! I hope you get to do a little trip to Disneyland. I think it would be fun with/out kids :)

[Inkling]

Oh, woops--I just sent you an e-mail that will now have to be void. But happy Mother's Day trip!!

[Nancy]

Shoot... knew I should have read my Google Reader earlier! Great Expectations! Not that I've read it since 9th grade. Not that I finished it then.

California sounds fun... I don't have a sister but a bosom friend out there. Haven't seen her in years!

[Nancy]

Oh, and sometimes you just have to take gift matters into your own hands. Otherwise you'll end up with a portable DVD player as a 'thanks for having our first baby' gift. Don't ask me how I know this.

[Margaret]

That will be a great way to spend your time! I can't imagine being 7 months pregnant in Florida; it was bad enough in WA. (some ankle swelling, but no nasty bugs) HAVE FUN!! (and have a beer or two for me)

[Katy]

Good for you! As moms we tend to neglect ourselves far too much.

Last night I found myself going to the grocery store, just so that I could get out of the house by myself. I never thought I would find pleasure in that :o).
Logan & Adam enjoyed some Daddy bonding time too. So it worked well for everyone.

Have a great time with your sister!

[Katy]

Oooh! Great gift =) Enjoy yourself! Happy day!

[Alida]

I'm soooo excited for you! I love Pasadena. So many wonderful restaurants, so many cool stores.

Oooh you should have a drink and indulge in a wonderful dinner at Cafe Santorini. It's a cross between greek and italian food. They have a terrace so you can enjoy those warm So. Cal evenings.

O.k., I have to stop writing because I'm starting to get jealous.

[Alida]

Almost forgot...Have a wonderful Mother's Day week. You deserve it!

[Rachel]

Sounds like a fantastic Mother's Day present! Have fun!

[sister]

Huzzah! And just wait till you see the surprise I have in store. Oh, man! If you thought fire ants were fun, you'll LOVE this! : )

Can't wait!