Happy Mother's Day!

I can't believe that today is already my second Mother's Day! I had a wonderful day spending time with my two favorite guys. Brunch followed by the best gift of all from Ben, a three hour nap! Then we hit up Starbucks and the grocery store. Nothing too special, but I always cherish our family time together, even if it's just doing ordinary stuff.

When Mike and I got home from visiting both of our moms tonight, I was putting away laundry and I flipped on the TV in our room and the movie The Sound of Music was on. It was funny that it was on today on Mother's Day, because if there is one movie that reminds me of my mom, that's the one. I have seen that movie more times than I can count and it ALWAYS brings back happy memories of being a kid and spending time with my mom. So, in honor of Mother's Day and and my mom, here are the top five things that make me think of my mom:

1. Christmas Music

2. Elvis Presley

3. Instant Cappuccino

4. Les Miserables (The broadway musical and anything to do with it, including book, songs, music, etc.)

5. Frozen corn at dinner- My mom always wants corn with dinner, but usually forgets to make it until the last minute :)

These are just a few of the many things that make my mom special. :) I hope that today and everyday, she knows how great I think she is and what a wonderful example she has been to me of what it means to be a mom. Thanks, Mom! I love you!

Splish, Splash!

Ben and I started swimming lessons at the YMCA in April. The "Beginning Perch" class that we are in has 7 other little fish and their moms and dads. The first time that I brought him there was one of those eerie moments in life where it feels like things are coming full circle. When I was four years old, my parents sent me to daycare at the Y and I still remember getting into that same pool for the first time with two little white bubble floaters strapped to my back and doggy paddling my way around. When I brought Ben there and we walked through the same door I walked through 24 years ago it felt crazy to be taking my own 15 month old son to the same place where I learned to swim. Sometimes, its a pretty cool thing to live in the town where I grew up and have so many memories. For me, there's something so nostalgic about things like that. Someday, I plan to tell Ben all about it while we're driving past the Y and every other place in Bismarck. He'll sigh and say "I know, Mom. You tell me that every time we drive by". At least that how it goes in my head.

So anway, back to Ben's swimming lessons, he didn't take to swimming as well as I had hoped, and was the only "crier" in his class. Luckily, that was nothing that couldn't be fixed by giving him some toys to hold onto while we splashed around in the water. Basically, his "lessons" consist of all the kids just getting used to the water, playing with some toys and then singing some songs together at the end. He's doing much better now. And he sure looks cute in his swimming trunks.