"no day but today"

Today was one of those rare days that are perfect in every way. I wouldn't change a thing about today! Food and flowers, what could be more perfect? It all started with the traditional "Mother's Day Brunch" at the Harvest Restaurant that we have done for the last 3 years. I hope to do this for many more years to come. It's all I ever want for Mother's Day because I love to eat, and when we don't often get to indulge in expensive meals like this, it almost feels like Christmas! The food is divine: smoked salmon, eggs Benedict, cinnamon French toast with fresh whipped cream and orange-pecan maple syrup, fresh fruit, grilled asparagus with basil and tomatoes, salmon salad with pineapple and avocado, spinach salad with dried apples and candied walnuts with a strawberry-balsamic dressing, rosemary Yukon Gold and red potatoes, grilled salmon with lemon-dill sauce and sauteed spinach, prime rib and ham (for Chad), yogurt parfait (the yogurt tasted like frosting-in a good way), assorted cheeses, croissants, artisan breads, and just as many desserts to boot!

The last two years Chad has taken me alone, but this year I wanted to be with my kids for Mother's Day! Even though I felt a little panicked when we walked in an almost kid-free, quiet restaurant, and a little rushed towards the end when I realized Jack and Allie were not going to be able to sit still much longer, I decided they will always be with me for my Mother's Day Brunch. It was so much happier and special with them there. Lucky for them there were no tantrums or embarrassing outburst this time, although Jack did say he had to "poo" loud enough for all to hear, but that was all! Sydney LOVED the shrimp and we never thought Allie would stop asking for more "am, am" (ham). Jack really enjoyed his apple bacon.

After brunch we went out for a walk around the gardens. Sydney wanted to go to the "bear cave" and I wanted to take pictures of the kids with the tulips that had just bloomed this past week. The weather could not have been better for our afternoon stroll. It was so beautiful (70 degrees, clear-blue sunny skies, no wind) that we ended staying for almost 3 hours playing around and even laying on the grass every now and then. When we finally left at around 6:00 we still couldn't get enough of the day so we stopped at a park on the way home to let the kids swing. Sydney had asked if we could and was shocked that I actually said yes, even after we had already been outside playing for hours. She asked me why I said yes and seemed happily confused and bewildered. I'm sure she wishes like I do that every day could be like today. We'll never forget it, which is exactly why I think money spent on an experience is much more valuable than any expensive tangible gift. I want the memories.

I wanted to share ALL the moments of our day. and it's A LOT of pictures! I couldn't decide which ones so I pretty much added all of them! Here we go...



Springtime, to me, has come to mean the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point Gardens. I look forward to it every year. This year the tulips weren't in bloom for the festival. Spring has come late, but it's stunning!


Like Jack's favorite movie quote lately, I felt like saying "hellooooo gorgeous"! These tulips are like my friends I can't wait to see every year.


It doesn't happen often enough, but every now and then Allie will reach out to one of us and say
"your hand?" I hope she continues to say it just a little longer!


Allie loved the tiny rocks.


And the ducks...


So first pose didn't go over too well. After today I realized that the best pictures happen when the mood is not rushed and kids are not feeling forced. So I took a breath and relaxed...


The girls and Daddy...I thought was sweet.


I don't know what came over him, but it was Jack's idea to stand on this rock and pose for this one. I was so excited!


The bear cave my kids LOVE. We played in there for about an hour before moving on. Sydney never found the courage to go down the tunnel no matter how hard she tried. She took the stairs. She's so much like ME!


The Roman Gardens were next...my second favorite. I love the Secret Garden best.
















I finally got it! I have my favorite baby pictures of Sydney and Jack (both are at around age 1 and they are next to a tree)...and now I have my favorite Allie Rose baby picture. I'm so glad I got it now because her baby days are near gone...(sigh).


I would almost have a dozen more baby girls so I could always see this.


Actually it's a toss up. This could also be THE baby Allie picture!


I died when I saw this one. Ahhhh...so sweet! I love it because Jack always looks at Sydney this way...adoringly.


This is SO Sydney, laughing. I'm so glad I have this to remember it.






The happiest mommy!


Daddy tricks.


Trying to do Daddy tricks.





Jack got tired of posing so we resorted to bribing with Skittles. I can see them in his teeth, ha ha!




Sydney and flowers...again, just like me!


looking at all the fat fish in the pond.


ballet poses








As a small girl, I thought the only dresses worth wearing are the ones that twirl. Sydney feels the same!




Chad looking tired. Shortly after this the kids suddenly came and attacked me! I'm sure they were encouraged by someone...


I love that she is still holding the yellow flower in this picture.






I felt the way Sydney feels in this picture all day...
I love my family.