Another Sunday in the park with Emma.

Emma, her BFF Alexis and I spent a couple of hours on Sunday at the park. This was after a lovely morning during which the girls let me sleep until nearly 10 a.m. I say "nearly" because I got up at 7 a.m., then again at 8 a.m., and some time around 9, all in between bouts of light dozing and visits into my bedroom from the girls, who were desperate to pull one over me for April Fool's Day.

They finally got me, though, while I was up and about, getting dressed and ready for our picnic luncheon. Amidst much giggling and whispering, they called out from Emma's newly (and finally) cleaned bedroom for me to come see what they'd done with the bed.

"We really changed things up, m.om," Emma said.

Oh, boy. Now my "momdar," which usually goes off right before Emma tells me she's spilled something on the rug or sofa or all over her clean clothes, was pinging. I wondered what they could have possibly done to the place. (Please note: I worked on cleaning her room for nearly three hours Friday night and another hour or so on Saturday morning. I still need to finish going through the clothes in the closet and dresser, as well as the toys, books and PC games. Yard sale this summer!)

So, I walk in there, they both yell "ta-dah!" and what do I see?

They made the bed.

Awwwww. Who cares that they had me scared and definitely pulled one over on me (Emma's obviously knows me oh so well)? This was the best April Fool's gag ever.

More, please.

Anyway, these are some of the snaps from the park. After Alexis's grandmother picked her up later that afternoon, Emma and I finished reading Book 6 of Warriors, original series,, before father fetched her to take him to his house. Am pleased to say that Em's stepmom reported that evening she fell asleep on the couch during "The Amazing Race." Wow. I can't remember the last time she was that tired. The sense of accomplishment I felt was almost as overwhelming as my happiness and pride in seeing her made bed. It's the silliest things that make being a mom so swell.