Thursday, June 25, 2009

Breakfast in bed

A few days ago, I heard some clattering down in the kitchen. I flopped over and groggily looked at the clock, then immediately rolled over and went back to sleep.

I mean, if those kids of mine want to wake up at the crack of dawn and forage for their own breakfast? Have at it.

About an hour later, all three of them appeared eagerly at the foot of my bed, a tray balancing precariously in the hands of my youngest. I sat up, put my glasses on, and tried to graciously receive their thoughtful gesture.

There was a browning apple, cut and arranged into the shape of a flower, most happily by my oldest son. He practically burst with pride while he told me of the great effort it was to cut it up without slicing off any of his fingers.

I silently thanked their guardian angels for THAT small help.

There was also a (now) cold cup of what appeared to be hot chocolate. A quick stir brought up the many spoonfuls of hot cocoa mix that were residing on the bottom. My middle child noted with great joy how he successfully managed to boil the water and pour it into the cup without burning himself or anyone else.

I then not only thanked their guardian angels, but I began to see the whole morning as nothing short of miraculous.

And, lastly, there was a bowl of my favorite cereal, and I only know this because it was pointed out to me by my youngest child. It was pretty much unrecognizable as anything other than brown mush.

Her hazel eyes shone as she told me how she poured the milk ALL. BY. HERSELF. She then went on to say how she finished her part of my breakfast first and had to wait (somewhat impatiently) for the boys to finish theirs.

Translation: My cold cereal had been sitting in milk for about an hour.

I tell you this - it took everything I had to eat that cereal in front of their happy faces. I tried to disguise my gagging, and with each soggy bite it grew more difficult. I made it about halfway through and then convinced them that we should all go downstairs and eat together.

Somehow, magically, the cereal was gone before I made it downstairs.

I think the toilet really liked it.

29 comments:

Tristan said...

That was really very sweet of them! And very clever of you! ;)

Unknown said...

That IS impressive! What is your favorite cereal, by the way? I love non-soggy cold cereal...I'm glad the soggy kind found the toilet! You sure have sweet kids!

Hazen5 said...

What considerate kids you got! You are one lucky mama.

Woman Interrupted said...

What else could you do BUT choke it down...very, very loving gesture!

Jenibelle said...

Eww. Mother of the Week goes to Christie. You're my idol. I wouldn't have eaten it. You're a stud.

But what a sweet gesture from your kids! And to think of it all by themselves for no reason other than they love you. Way cool.

Laurie said...

That is awesome! I so hate soggy cereal, so I appreciate the effort you put forth.

diane said...

What do they really want? You have to ask yourself that when the kids go to so much effort for no particular reason.

the wrath of khandrea said...

kinda reminds me of people who throw cheerios in the toilet to potty train their boys.

i'm thinking the mush would be less effective as target practice.

Annie said...

They love you. They really, really love you.

But, oh the things we do as mothers! I hope it wasn't Raisin Bran. That's the WORST when it's soggy.

Jenny said...

What a sweet gesture! The same thoughts would have gone through my mind and I probably would have thought of the kitchen mess. Glad you enjoyed the moment (have to remind myself of that every day).

Becka said...

Best post ever!

Joy & Casey said...

Ah Christie-I was so relieved to see the toilet liked it-I thought you actually ate it and wondered how you became such a super hero of a mom-totally not human. You ARE human! ;) You are hilarious and amazing! Love ya!

Jessica Rodarte said...

So sweet and so gross. :)

Kimberly said...

Sweet really is the word. LOVE it.

Lauren in GA said...

What a gracious and giving mom you are, suggesting that all of you eat together. You know, to build even more special memories.

Good move. You are beautiful and obviously brilliant.

Travelin'Oma said...

What sweet kids. You have given them joy in service. I remember their dad bringing me soggy cereal in water ("We didn't have any milk, Mom.") for Mother's Day one year.

Jessica said...

Darling, of course.

But I hate hate HATE breakfast in bed. First of all, I hate NOT serving myself up. Second of all, I hate the potential for mess. THird of all, it's not too relaxing, sitting there, hunched over, trying to eat and smile up at the faces staring at you.

So there.

brooke said...

This made me laugh out loud. I have a friend whose children make her breakfast in bed every Mother's Day. Only, they have 9:00 church. So she gets up, showers, gets ready and then puts a bathrobe on and climbs back in bed and pretends to be asleep.

You are a real soldier for eating the mushy cereal and cold hot chocolate. You have good kids!

Maree said...

They must really love you, and you must REALLY love them to eat it! I'm with Jessica--I'd rather eat at the table; breakfast in bed is a disaster waiting to happen. You must have felt so special, despite the culinary mishaps.

CSL said...

What a precious story...and a guileless presentation of how we moms work to encourage our children to continue their thoughtfulness. :-) Delightful posting.

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Awww, what a sweet story! (Although I'm gagging a bit at the cereal!)

~ Sarah

Rochelleht said...

TOTALLY laughing out loud! Very funny.

Holly said...

That sounds terribly sweet and terribly icky at the same time! What a great sport you were to get down a few bites before it mysteriously disappeared.

Margaret said...

That is such a funny story.

wreathofpearls said...

You have some sweet children who most definitely love their mama!

Christie in Dallas, TX said...

And even though it tasted awful, it was probably the best breakfast ever! How sweet that your kids love you THAT much!

Cindy said...

How sweet! ...I don't like soggy cereal, either, but they sure are great, thoughtful children!

Ilene said...

They really do love you... despite the message the food was giving.

Stuart♥Maren said...

That is the sweetest, kindest, most wonderful thing I have ever heard...

NOT that they made you breakfast (which is darling) BUT that you ate it!!! You are a GREAT Momma! Keep it up!☺