A Mom Meme

I'm a day late, but I wish all of the moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day ... I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday and were spoiled with hugs, kisses and favors from your families. I was! I went camping over the weekend with my younger daughter and her girl scout troop which was really fun, even though the sleeping was kind of rough. We got home just before 2 pm yesterday at which time I was showered with flowers and gifts, followed by a nice long nap and Thai for dinner! :)

A few years ago, I saw this Mom Meme on someone's blog--I'm pretty sure it was at Amy's-- and thought it was such a fun idea for a Mother's Day post. Well, I finally remembered to do it this year. I asked my girls the questions over weekend and expected to be humored with a bunch of short one or two word answers. Which for the most part, I did get from my youngest, but both girls surprised me at how much they really pay attention to me. The answers from my teenager were thoughtful and well... touching. I didn't expect such thorough and insightful answers and I honestly hadn't realized how well she really knew me. Not just as her mom, but as a woman.

So here are the questions I asked my daughters A (age 12) and M (age 16) about me.

1. What is something your mom always says to you:
A: "Don't leave your hairbrush on the table!"
M: A lot of things I guess! She says she loves me, that I look pretty, "good job sweetie!" when I do well on a test or accomplish something.

2. What makes your mom happy?
A: When everyone's nice to her.
M: Spending time with Daddy, spending time with A and me (when we're not fighting or when A is being a pita). Reading, cooking (sometimes), good food, traveling, talking to friends across the world, exercising.

3. What makes your mom sad?
A: Funerals.
M: Various movies, TV shows, books, short videos, thinking about life before she was married to Daddy, random things (PMS), etc.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
A: When she dances.

M: She dances. And some things she says make me laugh, especially when she thinks she knows what's going on with my modern day high school life (she actually usually does).

5. What was your mom like as a child?
A: She was blond.
M: Shy, insecure, emotionally unstable (cried a lot). But really cute, and most likely very bright.

6. How old is your mom?
A: 42
M: 42... or 43. Uhh...

7. How tall is your mom?
A: 5' something. Taller than me.
M: 5'6"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
A: Read.
M: See number 2.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
A: She goes to the gym.
M: How would I know? Uh, probably read, computer surf, watch Lolo {my elderly father-in-law} , bond with Gigi {one of our cats}, I don't know what else. Be naked.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A: Writing a cookbook.
M: Doing something good for someone else. Or writing an autobiography.

11. What is your mom really good at?
A: Cooking.
M: Making me better, making me happy, taking care of other people, being healthy, exercising, setting goals, meeting goals, writing, drawing cute people, cooking, baking, socializing, navigating, being pretty, knowing what's best for herself, picking out things for a house (e.g. paint colors, cabinets, floors, tile, appliances, light fixtures, doorknobs, windows, doors, molding, furniture, decorations), running, biking, math, teaching math, driving, cuddling, hugging, raising kids, camping, keeping the family in a good place literally and figuratively.

12. What is your mom NOT very good at?
A: Singing. And dancing.
M: Being bad at things.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
A: Takes care of my family.
M: Takes amazing care of everyone in the house, especially [Lolo].

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
A: Ice cream.
M: Ice cream.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
A: How well she takes care of our family.
M: Everything. There isn't one thing about her that doesn't make me proud. I am proud of how brave and strong she is, how she is so healthy and lively. I am proud of how I can talk to her about anything (not many people can do that).

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
A: Ruby from "Max and Ruby."
M: Mrs. Incredible.

17. What do you and your mom do together?
A: Talk.
M: Talk, shop, take pictures, cuddle (sometimes), watch movies, play video games (sometimes).

18. How are you and your mom the same?
A: We both like to read.
M: We both like to do a lot of the same things. I think we're both pretty brave. We think similarly and have a similar voice. I think that our views on parenting are the same (even though I'm not a parent). We generally have the same taste in music, movies, books, clothes (kind of), and aesthetic things. Oh yeah we cry a lot. And procrastinate.

19. How are you and your mom different?
A: I don't know!!!
M: I don't exercise as much as she does. :) I can't cook or bake. We're actually not that different at all.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
A: She tells me.
M: I just know. The little everyday things tell me that she loves me (e.g. packing lunch, giving me freedom, hugging me, telling me she loves me, surprising me). And also some extraordinary things.

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
A: The gym.
M: She wants to go to Paris and Hawaii. She wants to go places with her husband. And family (maybe). Her current favorite place is probably anywhere with Daddy or the Y. Or outside somewhere.


In conclusion, she's the best mum ever.


Tears in my eyes.

My daughters are more aware of the things I do for myself, for our family and for others than I thought .... they listen to my dreams... and apparently, I look ridiculous when I dance. ;)

I am reminded how thankful I am for my daughters who would not be half as amazing as they are without their dad. We're a great parenting team and it shows in our children. xo