A Colorful Mother's Day

Stefan's school had their Spring Festa today.  Theme: Rainbows.


I seriously was dreading going due to the probable 1970-something Vera-esque decor, chaos, whining and/or nagging that accompanies such activities.  On Mother's Day...


Now, I am the FIRST to tell you that every day is Mother's Day in my house.  Has been ever since these boys came into being.  And Miss-High-and-Mighty would really like to be treated as if it were my special day, every day. Having said that, I am also the first to tell you that my feelings would be hurt if everyone in my family completely blew off the Hallmark Holiday and acted as if it were just another one of "those" Mother's Days...


But they did not (thank you, Seika!).  My day started with getting a new purse!

Decorated by Ian (perhaps our budding artist?!?)

And an identical purse!

Decorated by Dougie (self-portrait complete with blue glasses!)

To say that I was pleasantly surprised at how today went would be an understatement.  Not only was Hayama's Spring Festa pretty great, we all had fun.  Not having gone to the generic Mother's Day Brunch, Mom did not have to pick, pester, wipe, shush, remind, clean, cater, nor glare at anyone so that we could "enjoy ourselves".  What a blessing!  And, the rainbow decorations were, (dare I say it?), really fantastic!

My friend, Bridget, and I both signed up for decoration committee thinking we would get off easy.  Then they sent a packet home with 16 HUGE sheets of pictures and two teensy poster boards.  Our assignment?  Do something creative.  Collage.  With 500 pictures.  And rainbows.

Needless to say, both she and I procrastinated until the night before they were due.  In the end, we made paint palette wheels that really spoke for themselves.  Not necessary to embellish them at all.  I admire all the others' for their true creativity!!!

The boys got their face painted like tigers,

played games and won prizes,

made slime,

Got their weekly dose of Vitamin D the natural way,

Freeloaded...

Picked out a Mother's Day gift:

This year's Spring Festa was raising money for a village that was wiped completely out (except for ONE house) by the Tōhoku earthquake's tsunami.  The families have created a co-op where they make and sell goods and pool their money to help restore the fishing that was once their livelihood.  This necklace has been recycled from roof tiles that were destroyed during the tsunami.  The puffers mouth is one of the nail holes in the slate tile.

We joined Bridget on the way over (husband out on the GW).  Bridget's son Jack goes to pre-K at Hayama.  Her daughter, Madeline, and Stefan have known each other from Kindergarten - they were also on the same Odyssey of the Mind team.

We had the kids "couple up" (hold hands) as we crossed the street to the bus stop.  Madeline and Stefan had joined hands.  And then kept walking down the sidewalk that way.  So completely innocent.

They likely do not realize this, nor do any of us want them to, but it is plain to see that Stefan and Madeline have a crush on each other.

Everyone was tired, yet only one slept...

and it was not Ian...

who would rather hold the handles on the bus, just like Daddy.

Who could pass up a park on the way home?  Certainly not us.  Ian perfected getting airborne when Daddy would go down (notice the space under his seat?!?).  Jack had hopped off the teeter-totter at this point.  Earlier Eric manned up one side while all five kids piled on the other.  Of course, breaking out the camera also broke up the party...

Today was a perfectly enjoyable day of being a Mom.  Instead of waiting to repeat this next year, we will work on having this kind of Mother's Day, everyday.  Turns out, I am treated special.  Every. Single. Day.

Thank you boys!