Mother's Day

One of the benefits of Jacob and Hannah going to school is that, for the next few years, I am absolutely assured of receiving two Mother's Day cards. Actually, four cards, because the twins always produce the inevitable French ones with variations of "Je t'aime, Maman" in addition to the more effusive English cards. So, I awoke on Sunday morning (at an ungodly hour: Isaac chose to remind me of the suffering that is part and parcel of motherhood) and found the cards carefully laid out on the kitchen table.
Here are some choice excerpts:

Hannah:

"You are the best Mom in the world. I think you are wonderful ... I like your brown eyes and brown hair which looks nice and curly and long. I like what you wear. Thank you for shopping for me and buying me food and clothes for me... I remember when you said, "Who looks like me?" And I said, "I have long hair like you."

(Regarding the curly hair: I recently discovered that I can make use of the "useless curl" (direct quote from my hairdresser) that I have by using a "hair product" and clipping up the top layers which determinedly remain poker straight. Hannah is fascinated by this new curliness; thus, its inclusion in the Mother's Day card. Also, it has become a running joke in the family that it is a good thing that I carried all the kids in my womb as none of them seems to look much like me. Jacob's response to my lament was as follows, "Well, we look like Dad and you wear his ring so that's a good thing." Hannah said, "Well, Ben sort of looks like you but he's really skinny and you're, ummm..." That's the point at which she quickly changed the subject.)

And on to Jacob's letter. After reading it, you will quickly understand why Dave has contracted out all future special occasions to his eldest son. For your reading benefit I will also note that Jacob dotted each i with a heart.

Dear Mom,
I think you are the most lovely and responsible mom the world ever had! I love your black hair and your brown eyes that really fit in with your tannish skin. I think you are satisfying with your straight nose and your beautiful smile. That makes a pretty, beautiful, lovely face. I admire your tall, straight figure along with your beautiful clothes, especially your most stylish ones that you wear on special occasions. I simply adore the way you buy books, clothes and groceries and the work you do every day to be nice for us. It's really exciting when you take us to the library and rent us videos and also the way you love and care for us and congratulate us when we did really good on something. You do it at home, in the car, at a shop, having a walk together, anywhere! Remember when you mixed up our names? It was hilarious! You make me feel loved when you care for us. That is extra fabulous!
From your loving son, Jacob Afelsikie (sic).

In light of my son's extraordinary effusiveness and generousity of heart, I can forgive the occasional misspelling and run-on sentence. His twin is not as easily impressed: she cynically raised one eyebrow after reading his card. And, in reference to the earlier discussion about family traits, Jacob might look like Dave but I don't think that his father ever dotted an i with a heart.