Tator Tot casserole and mashed potatoes

YORK — Sunday is a special day ... and Ashton Rauert knows why. The 6 year-old kindergartner says, “It’s special because it’s Mother’s Day.” Come Sunday, Ashton, along with sisters Lexa, age 8, and Maggie who just turned 2 will have a few surprises for their mom, Kara.
It is plain to see trio of bright-eyed little girls love their mom. Their non-stop smiles are contagious. Bubbles of laughter fill the air as Maggie wanders in and sets her doll down. Lexa lifts Maggie up onto her lap. Now all three are sitting on a couch adjacent to the family piano. With excitement in their voices they explain just what they have in mind for Kara.
“I have something for my mom. I made it at school out of glass and clay. It came in a Mother’s Day bag but last night I took it out of the bag. I wrapped it up in something warm and put it under my bed,” Ashton tells in a hushed voice.
Lexa chimes in. The eldest and youngest seem to have concocted a plan of their own, “Me and Maggie are going to get up early Sunday morning an make our mom breakfast.” Looking up, Lexa muses ... “We’ll make some eggs ... some sausage, maybe some pancakes and biscuits and give it to her in her bed because she likes to sleep. My mom likes her sleep.”
At this point the littlest Rauert, Maggie, begins to squirm a little. Lexa sets her down and off she goes ... into the kitchen and back again. Leaving her dolly behind.
“My mom is always loving us,” Lexa says, “but she doesn’t like it when Maggie puts her Binky in her milk glass. My mom rewards us for picking up and I like that.”
According to Ashton, “Having a lot of time to spend with her (mom)” is one of her favorite things. She thinks the hardest thing her mom has to do is keep the house clean.
“It think the hardest thing moms do is to keep their kids in line and get them to do what they want,” Lexa comments in a very matter of fact manner.
When it comes to the meal time the Rauert girls have definite opinions about their mom’s cooking. Lexa says her mom’s mashed potatoes, corn, gravy and chicken are the best. Ashton loves what her mom does with Ramen noodles and Maggie ... well, Tator Tot casserole is her favorite. At least that’s what Lexa says.
Giggling, Maggie comes running back into the room, plants her feet and announces “Papa’s here.” Papa is the girls’ grandfather Rauert who had just driven over from Aurora; rototiller in tow. It is nearly time to go outside.
Kara says, “Being a mom is busy, but I enjoy it. It’s a lot of work too ...” Kara then joins her daughters on the family’s white couch for a girl’s only photo — “No boys allowed ... except daddy, he doesn’t count, that’s what we say around here” the mother of three explains, as Lexa, Maggie and Ashton cuddle in. Sunday will be a Mother’s Day to remember for the special mom who makes the best mashed potatoes and Tator Tot casserole in the whole entire world.