celebration – Mama In Motion™

Random Thoughts: What does Labor Day mean to you?

I must confess. I still get confused between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I guess the “Ms” stick together, Memorial Day happens in May. So today is Labor Day. Hopefully this trick will stick for me going forward.

Historically, the holiday came about and was initiated by labor unions. There is no real substantive underlying “movements” or monumental meaning for the holiday. But in modern times it does signify, at least informally, the end of summer, parties, BBQs, being with family, taking it easy, shopping….

It seems like for working mothers there is a twist on words – laboring to bring our children into the world and also playing a role in the workforce. It seems like this should be an extra-special day for us working mothers. A day where we get to take a break from the juggling act and spend extra time with the family in a relaxed way. A way for us to celebrate another year of working hard and surviving another year of the “grind”. Yet also celebrating family, your kids… possibly the main reason you work so hard now to begin with.

Photo source: milagrosboutique.com

For me… well what did I do? I did not have the children today. So I celebrated solo – not bad though. I’m not complaining. I woke up late. I cleaned Cocoa’s cage. I went food shopping. I bought a patio set (taking advantage of 50% off end of summer clearance!!!! I am psyched!). I ate a lot of vegetables, but the smell of BBQ in the air made me think of cheeseburgers for most of the day. I hacked down more dead raspberry bush vines to prepare for garbage pick up. I am going to open up a Guinness and begin my “clean out my closet” project. So, I think I had a pretty good variety of activity today – the only thing I missed was BBQ and the kids. But I will see them tomorrow.

What does Labor Day mean to you? How did you spend the Labor Day holiday?

Thanks for listening –

– Mama K

Staying Sane: Celebrate

The days come and the days go but every now and then there comes a day that is special. With young children, the birthdays are special times. I’ve always been very big with birthdays. It is a time to stop and to focus on an individual and celebrate the person and the fact that the person is in your life. I love the days leading up to a birthday – especially the days leading up to a child’s birthday.

Today was one of those days, and it was a double-special day, in many ways. Our twins turned two. Two bodies, two lives, a brother and a sister, celebrating their second year of life. I remember when we found out we were having twins, and then the day they were born (Twin Crazy at 6 pounds 5 ounces, and Twin Husky at 6 pounds 12 ounces), and many of the days leading up to today.

They knew it was their birthday. They would raise their hands when we asked whose birthday it was. Twin Husky has been walking around for several days now practicing his “happy birthday” tune. And the cutest thing is that when I would ask one whose birthday it was, they would say their sibling’s name first. I think that’s amazing. A pair. A set. Two children. Two years.

So in the midst of day-to-day life, and life’s ups and downs, and endings and new beginnings, it was wonderful for me to stop and take the day to celebrate the lives of two people that have forever changed my life. My goal was to make it special for them – and they both said they had a great day. We had a small party with close friends and young kids – and the cake and ice-cream overflowed and we let everyone indulge.

So to my twins who are growing up so fast, Happy Birthday to you and thank you for these years and thank you for giving me a reason to be thrilled for this weekend!

Love you both dearly –
– Mama