5 Great Memories of Mother’s Day Tea

I have to admit that I’m usually a skeptic about organized events for children. Whether it’s a birthday party, a visit to Santa Claus, or a play date, I feel like a tourist plopped into a foreign country without a travel guide.

I was equally skeptical about the Mother’s Day Tea that was organized at my children’s kindergarten yesterday.

My skepticism was uncalled for.

Throughout the 90 minutes of the Western-themed event, I tapped my feet, grinned unabashedly, and held back a few tears.

Here are my Top 5 Moments of Mother’s Day Tea:

Moment 1: Watching William and Vivian sing

It’s hard to out-cute sixty kindergarten kids dressed in western wear. They stood on risers, little choristers bumping cowboy hats and shifting like they had spurs in their underwear. When they started singing, I was mesmerized. I watched Vivian, the perennial perfectionist, sing seriously, ensuring she got the words right. I watched William, who’s usually stoic, sing joyfully and grin his way through every song, never once taking his eyes off me.

Moment 2: Going on a portrait walk

All kindergartners had completed a cowgirl picture of their mother. Here are my twins’ versions of me.

Moment 3: Hearing them read aloud why they love their mom

Excerpts of William’s letter:

I lik it wen my mom takes me to the librare. My mom takes me to the park. She reads books to me at bed time…My mom is really good at teaching. My mom is best at speling. She can run in the sun…My mom hugs me when I’m sad.

Excerpts of Vivian’s letter:

My mom is perfect…My mom is very good at cooking pancakes. My favourite thing about my mom is that she’s buteful….My mom loves me best when I give her hugs…Mom’s the only one in the family who can cook…I love my mom as much as my dad.

Moment 4: Having Vivian serve me

“Would you like iced tea or fruit punch, Mom?” Vivian asked. I nearly wept. She got me a refill, and even fetched a glass for her brother. Then she cleaned up. It’s the little things.

Moment 5: Finding William

Now that my twins are nearly 6, it’s rare that I lose one. But I lost William amidst the chaos that is found in school hallways at 3:30. I had last seen him trudge toward the boot room. Before we called in search and rescue, he was spotted relaxing on the grass outside the main door.

The cattle rustling was over.

Happy Mother’s Day.