I like nothing weekends—the weekends in which the calendar is empty and there are no “We must be there at two.”
The days are only full of wants. We want to go to the home improvement store. We want to go to the mall or take a nap. Friday night, we ease into the time off with a simple, favorite meal and movie night. I love the familiar preparation and cooking of pizza: shaping the dough, slicing the mozzarella, layering the pepperoni. I know that this meal will always be loved and never be a battle.
We did have one pleasant chore: grocery shopping. I typically don’t enjoy this, but Trader Joe’s is a small store, and somehow, smoother. Daniel entertains Nate while I choose between different types of cheese and soon we’re heading home. The partying ends early as Daniel and I are both tired from the long week and so settle for a favorite television show and bed.
Saturday, our “let’s do” list is everything outdoors. The farmer’s market offers lots of seasonal produce and pretty flowers, as well as a chance to play Name That Vegetable with Nate. He laughs at the gigantic carrots and gobbles up the cinnamon scone sample from the bread lady. “Nate eat again!” he crows.
We drive to a local nursery to pick up begonias for our first flower bed as homeowners. This time, Name That Color is the game of choice while Daniel buys potting soil and mulch. Nate attempts to count the blooms in our cart, but manages to decapitate them instead. Soon, it’s home with lunch and naps, followed by planting and watering; simple rhythms punctuated with “Nate, don’t throw your Mr. Potato Head!” and snacks. Everything is ordinary, familiar.
Today is Mother’s Day and the wants are simple: church, a new dress, lunch out at my favorite barbecue restaurant, shopping at every mall store that’s not the LEGO store, and a nap. I’ll do my best to stay away from my computer and enjoy the day while laughing at Nate’s antics and new phrases without worrying about next week or the must-dos. These let's-do days are worth the undivided attention.
These are the best weekends and I think, the days that we are the version of ourselves. We are family, enjoying each other and simply happy with what we are and have. That’s the best Mother’s Day gift I know.