B is for…. Beautiful!

This week has been “B” week in kindergarten.   The ever-popular inflatable Mr. B. and his beautiful buttons has been inspiring my six-year-old to recognize the second letter of the alphabet.  In the true spirit of fun-phonics, today’s round of show-and-tell time featured objects that begin with the letter “B.”  Any mother of a kindergartener knows that show-and-tell is serious business. It involves extensive brainstorming, packing and repacking the backpack, and clinging to the hidden hope that the chosen item will elicit a murmur of awe from the captive audience on the carpet squares. As usual, each member of our family offered Hannah advice over dinner last night.  Together, the kids brainstormed a buffet of show-and-tell possibilities, ranging from boa constrictor (Thankfully we could NOT find one slithering through the house) to backpack (Hannah declared this idea as BORING, though Luke insisted that boring backpack was a “double B” show-and- tell and Lizzy offered to loan Hannah her blue boring backpack packed with burdensome homework and bulky books). After much banter, Hannah decided that she would like to bring something from the local bakery (a girl after my own heart) along with her brother and her baby.

Having agreed that a real-live show-and-tell would be exciting, I rose extra early today to ensure that the brother  and the baby were dressed and clean for the big moment.  Hannah  bounced with excitement in the backseat of the van as we drove to the bakery and selected donut holes for her classmates. We decided that in honor of B-day, we could casually re-name the sweet Dutch treat bakery balls.  “They taste GOOD no matter what we call them,” Hannah explained to the smiling clerk, who agreed that a “donut by any name is still a donut.”  As we traipsed through the brightly colored hallway of Lincoln Elementary, Hannah carried the blue and white striped bakery bag with care. She hurried her live-show-and-tells along with a promise to let both baby and brother enjoy a bakery ball when their moment in the limelight was over. Once we arrived, I planned to step back into the corner where I wouldn’t be noticed and let my little ones enjoy the attention.  As we entered the room, Hannah’s classmates were already seated quietly on their carpet squares (I never said we were PUNCTUAL, I’m saving that for P week!). Seemingly unaware of the unusual hush in the room, Hannah waltzed through the door with a smile and announced,  I’m here! Then,with a flourish of her arms, she pointed to me with pride and declared, And I have brought my BEAUTIFUL mommy for show and tell!  I stood stunned while Hannah added nonchalantly, oh yeah… and I brought my brother and baby and a few bakery balls, too!

Sometimes we must dig deep for the treasures of motherhood; at other times, the bounty is laid at our feet. 
Today is B-day and I am BLESSED.

Today’s Treasure:  Her children arise and call her blessed… Proverbs 31:28