"You are the best Mom in the WORLD!"

Why is it the only time I hear these words are when I have agreed to take the boys to McDonalds, bought them a Matchbox car, or let them eat donuts for breakfast? Seriously. Friday I wanted to treat the boys to something special. They love going to the bookstore and getting a book or a small stuffed animal, so I was going to surprise them with that trip today. Until the arguing started. Then it became a threat: "You're not going to get your special surprise today unless you stop yelling at your brother"; "You're not going to get your special surprise today unless you stop whining!"; "You're going to be sad when your brother can get his surprise and you don't because you are not listening!", etc. Let me back track to say that on Thursday we stayed in all day. I don't even think we got out of our jammies. I did a lot of stuff around the house and we played games. When Daddy got home he made an awesome fort for the boys in their room and they slept in it that night. Hence the reason for the arguing and whining......at least in part.....to the lack of sleep. So we headed out to the mall. But first, I had a wicked craving for one of my favorite dishes - Chicken Fettuccine at Charley's in Cotswold. I have eaten there since they were at SouthPark and it is still my favorite place. The boys were none to happy to be going there first, and for lunch no less. They wanted Subway pizza. No dice! I was getting my special treat before they got theirs. We arrived at Cotswold and lo and behold, there is a ginormous toy store there now (it's been a while since we've been there). And of course, it's right beside the restaurant. So much for the bookstore today. We enjoyed our lunch (at least I did immensely) and off to the toy store we went. David wanted a stuffed dog and Jason picked out a stuffed tiger. They were happy and we even got ice cream afterwards. On the way home, David said "Mom, you are the best Mom in the world!". I told him how sweet it was of him to say that, and that I appreciated it. I then followed up with "I hope you don't think I'm the best Mom in the world only when I buy you something though. I don't know that that makes me the best Mom." He replied "Oh, no. You are the best Mom also because you kiss us and hug us and feed us and love us!" Gee, who can argue with that?