Mother's Day Rocks My Face Off.

Mother's Day is awesome.

As I described the events of my Sunday to my youngest sister, she expressed surprise that Mother's Day seemed even better than my birthday. And I told her that it kinda-sorta-almost was. (Which is a mammoth statement, coming from one who believes that those cardboard punch-out birthday card crowns and badges need to be worn for an entire birthday week.)

Because here's the thing: once you're a Mom, there's always this guilt of "Oh, don't fuss over me/ I'd really prefer to get the juice from the top shelf, myself." I mean, I celebrate, but then usually help with the kitchen cleanup and bathtime dousing of the smallest party guests.

The crew with whom I roll.

But Mother's Day seems directly tied to the actual work I'm doing all year long. Which makes it like a mandatory office party. And everyone knows you don't blow off a mandatory office party, amiright?

Here's how my co-workers celebrated me:

-I slept in until 8am. (Some of my childfree friends are probably like- that sounds horrific. Was your house on fire? But seriously, 8am feels like sleeping the clock 'round. And that's just when I naturally woke up, being all like I have missed the entire morning.)

-Breakfast at my favorite brunch spot, Victory's Banner. (I got to shower- solo- while P.J. wrangled the girls and packed a diaper bag!) And everyone was on their best behavior, even P.J.

-Oh, when we got home, I took a two hour nap.

-Drove to Marshalls BY MYSELF, spent a [Christmas] gift card, and got two new springtime dresses.

-Used a [Valentine's Day] gift card and got Dunkin' Donut treats to bring back to everyone.

-Watched Muppets From Space with my daughters. Their inaugural viewing. And they totally dug it. [Drop the Parenting Mic, I'm out.]

-Shared a couple of our favorite dishes from the Chinese place up the street with the girls for dinner. (Although that may also have been to cut down on dishes- had I mentioned that P.J. had spent this entire day cleaning the house? He totally did.)

-After we got the girls tucked in, Peej and I watched the noir thriller Tension. It was so exciting that P.J. actually stayed awake until the last ten minutes. (Which is huge for him.)

It was a beyond-perfect day. And to add to this Maternal Fest O' Awesome, my newest nephew was born on Thursday night! My sister and bro in-law were thrilled to welcome Garrett David to their crew of terrific[ly] handsome guys. And as soon as I remember which Olympic teams require four players, I'll totally make that joke here.

Contemplating getting eaten by his Auntie Keely.

And rounding out this week of motherly appreciation is the 80th birthday of our Armenian side of the family's matriarch, my Auntie Joan! Tomorrow is her big day/start of a shiny new decade, and I think we should all celebrate by allowing her to make her world-famous green chili enchiladas for us. (Because that's what Armenians do when they move to Arizona- perfect their recipes for Mexican food.)

The superstar matriarch and her beloved husband.

Happy birthday, Auntie Joan! May we have decades more of fun and potential over-indulging together.

And welcome to the world, Garrett! I already love your edible cheeks and chill demeanor.

And and a humongo thank you to my dream guy Peej for hiring me for my favorite job yet- and to our two little fairy princess sledgehammers for making me feel like a superhero each and every day.

A superhero with oatmeal in her hair.