Mother's day was a little messy over here. It can be that way, can't it? 

I somehow thought that all bickering would be suspended, my house would be clean, and our world would be a fantasy land of peace and harmony from sun-up till sun-down.

Life doesn't work that way.

I also thought my kids would be thrilled! to! help! with planting our garden. 

Yeah. That didn't shake out either.

By mid-day on Sunday I was pouting, sulking, and disappointed – in my expectations, in my mothering skills, in the (completely normal) day-to-day drama, and in this stupid day that I let myself get wrapped up in.

I just might have even called off all Mother's Day celebrations from that moment forward.

Yeah. It wasn't pretty.

So I caught my breath. I lay down on the couch with a quilt over my head and heard my kids giggling at how silly I was acting. Lupine brought me a doll and her stuffed squirrel to cheer me up (that always works) and joined me under my quilt.

Sage joined us and we cuddled, talked in soft voices, and apologized for our many blunders.

And then we called a do-over.

I dropped my expectations and everyone rallied to be a bit more kind to one another, because yes, kindness matters.

Especially on mother's day when your Mama is acting weird.

 

I had requested a little time to sew on Mother's Day as well (because that garden planting plan wasn't quite enough of a stretch for my people in one day) and decided to make Lupine a skirt.

Somehow sewing for my kids is more satisfying than sewing for myself. Especially after I've been grumpy.

And so I dug through my fabric stash and got to work on a new gathered skirt.

I had seen the perfect project already when Amanda posted her version for Ada last week.

Lupine's pockets are forever filled with acorns, crystals, flowers, and even sometimes chicks, so this skirt with it's big and glorious pockets was a must.

I mean really. Imagine how many chicks she could fit in there! (On second thought…)

As I ironed, cut, and sewed, Lupine came and curled up on the bed, watching me work. We talked, we laughed, I got over myself.

Thank goodness for that.

Yes, taking a break helped me shift my perspective. And as a bonus, Lupine scored a lovely new skirt out of the deal.

 

You can find the free skirt pattern here.

Lupine's sweater vest is the Neighborly.