On Mondays, my girls usually sleep at my parent’s house. It gives them one morning during the week when they don’t have to get up early. They look forward to Monday nights, which they call Mimi Mondays. They get the usual grandparent treatment…staying up a little later than usual, special treats, and other things they likely wouldn’t get away with at home. These Mondays are a gift to me as well. Monday nights I can go straight to bed, no worrying about anyone else. Tuesday mornings are also gloriously quiet…again, only myself to take care of. I love my kids, but having this one morning of not rushing and persuading them to get out the door, is really the best. Knowing that my kids are in their happy place, and getting to spend time with my parents is also a gift. We are grateful to have such loving grandparents so close. We couldn’t do it without them.

To celebrate my mom’s birthday today, I once again asked my kids to share their favorite things about my mom, their Mimi.

Wren

One Monday me my sisters thought that we would have a normal sleepover with Mimi, and so far it was. Mimi scooped us huge bowls of ice cream, and we sat on the couch to watch a show. Our favorite show, America’s got Talent, had just ended and we needed to find a new show. Mimi browsed on Netflix to find a show that all of us would like, and she stopped at one show, “Santa Clarita Diet.”

“I watched one episode and it is disgusting!” Mimi exclaimed.

“What is it about?” Rose asked.

“A woman who eats people!” Mimi said excitedly.

I immediately said, “NOOOOOO!!!” But she pressed play on the remote. I put down my ice cream and ran up to her. I tried to take the remote from her hands but her grip was too strong. She just laughed as if what was happening was funny. Looking back at it, I can see why she laughed. When I actually looked at the TV, it didn’t look too scary. I sat down and kept watching. And then she took her first bite of human flesh. Me and Mimi ran out of the living room and started laughing. We were scared, but it was funny. Now that is our Mimi’s house show! That was the best time I had with Mimi. She is the best Mimi in the whole wide world.

Adi

One time, we were in Mimi’s jeep. I was sitting in the back, next to Rose. Flowers came on the radio. Mimi put the volume all the way up and started dancing. I laughed. I started to dance and sing. Soon, we were all dancing but only at stop signs and red lights. It was a fun ride.

Rose

She’s kind. On Mondays I go with Mimi to Target when she picks me up from dance. I like to go with her because she buys me jewelry. I like jewelry and I like Mimi.