There was a time when I was really great at holidays and special occasions. I would create a list of gift ideas, put some thought into buying a special piece of jewelry, like this amazing necklace (with all of our kids birthdates) from my friend Anna Bee…
…or attempt an even more ambitious undertaking, collecting heart-shaped rocks over the course of five years, each time I hiked the Boulevard Trail in the Great Smoky National Park.
Recently, I feel like I’m constantly behind the eight-ball, spread a little thin while taking care of three kids under five years old. I find myself running around like a knucklehead, pulling wilted stragglers from the flower cooler at the grocery store or paying far too much in shipping to get something over-nighted the day before I need it.
What I’ve come to realize, though, is that the greatest resource I have is right in front of me.
My kids.
Maybe you’ll disagree, but I feel like if you’re in a pinch, anything homemade that you’ve done with your children trumps gold, silver or diamonds.
I have one or two little tricks left up my sleeve that I’ll unfurl throughout the day, as we give praise to all the moms out there, including my wife. HINT: Get dressed, honey, we’re going on a picnic!
But in the event that I couldn’t pull those things together, I spent some time this week having the kids record a little ‘Things We Love About Mommy’ 15-second Instagram video message.
Ava went first and I honestly thought we would’ve packed more ‘things’ in… but 15 seconds goes pretty quickly.
Charlie went next and needed a little coaching, but in the end, he’s loves his ‘mudder’.
And because Mason is still too young to talk, I thought we would put everyone together in a nice, relaxing setting.
All it took was a little creative effort, several moments in which I had to walk away and count to ten breathing into a paper bag and (maybe) a few promises of ‘treats if you behave and do this for daddy before I lose my shit’.
I think mommy enjoyed the finished product..
I know that the point of Mother’s Day isn’t to shower the ladies with gifts (or is it?), but rather to praise the moms of this world, who are full of selflessness, empathy and love. Even though it’s still pretty rad to get a little holiday souvenir here and there..
I don’t know if you caught Ellen’s Mother’s Day show on Friday, but she had plenty of souvenirs to give the audience, including the amazing Quinny Buzz Xtra.
As you know, I’ve been doing a little work with them lately and I’m super excited, as a little Mother’s Day surprise, to offer one lucky person a chance to win a Buzz Xtra, AS WELL AS a Maxi-Cosi Mico AP infant car seat in the raffle below!
I’ll run this contest for the next week (ends Sunday, May 18th at 5pm EST) and announce the winner on Monday. Best of luck to everyone who enters and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
wallest02 says
Church & breakfast with the family. Oh – and called our moms to tell them we’re expecting our 3rd baby!
DanaNagu says
church and lunch with my mother inlaw and sister in law
jjak2003 says
We went out for lunch and spent a couple hours at the park.
Aerated says
We went for a nice long walk, played in the yard and grilled out for dinner. It was a beautiful day to be outside with my family.
Srelr says
My husband was away for work so it was just me and my son. I took him to the indoor play space at the mall, spent some time outside, and went for a walk. Then we had dinner at my parents house. Nothing too exciting, but overall it was a nice day!
Natalie shmigelsky says
Unfortunately my 3 boys all had the stomach bug along with fevers and vomiting so I did lots of laundry and cleaning… Still thankful to be a mommy! 🙂
LibertyThompson says
For Mother’s Day we took my mom out for lunch and later on this week I am taking her to get her first pedicure!
pepsibytes says
We all just had lunch together to celebrate. the many moms in our family.
Heather S says
Went to the zoo 🙂
Abcpace1 says
Me and my boos went to breakfast and had a 1 1/2 wait with a 4 year old singing out loud and a 5 year old pulling on trees and me just chilling. Smiling at them and saying thank you for acting as good as they could with a long wait and being hungry, thank goodness the food was good. ;). Then it was home for some fun time together. I love my crazy life.
SonyaMorris says
We visited my mom and husband’s mom then spent the rest of the day together.
familyigloo says
went to Lazy dog
dwpoore says
I think Mason had the most to say on the matter…
1amypugmire says
I went to a baby blessing had lunch and dinner with family.
AdinaBlassberger says
visited grandma!
tweetyscute says
We went out to lunch and cme home and swam
denimorse says
went to my grandma’s house, had 4 generation of women together
MandaHealey says
We took a day trip to Washington DC and went through the museums. It was my first Mothers Day and we took my mom with us. It was a perfect day for it! 85 and sunny!
JenniJones says
We had a relaxing day, as a family. Hubby cooked a wonderful dinner on the grill, and we enjoyed the storms!
Tina T says
Stayed home with the babies and husband! Oldest took me on a scavenger hunt to find my gifts, husband grilled us some steaks and I pulled some weeds and planted outside. Perfect day!
aimeemurad says
went to church, went to lunch with family and spent time with my kids!
TianAyubi says
We spent the day outside and had a diner together.
Melissa M says
Slept in and then took care of sick kiddos all day.
tv608 says
I spent time with my daughter. We had a really great day enjoying the nice weather!
immortalb4 says
I took care of my sick little one and we went out to dinner
CassandraEastman says
We went to the butterfly gardens in our area and took a walk with my family and my mom and dad!
allentrish3 says
dad & the girls treated me to breakfast in bed. then we did yard work and planted all of the new plants they got me =)
DeniseKonkle says
We went out to breakfast, saw some family, and then my husband made dinner!
Slj873 says
We had homemade Belgium waffles, went to the zoo, spent 2 hours in the Walgreens Take Care Clinic for an ear infection and then had a nice shrimp dinner. Eventful to say the least!
lauren ham says
I slept in for the first time in a long time
JETisexpecting says
we went to the beach w/ my family & a friend! it was wonderful to spend time w/ them and see my son enjoy the museum as well!
MaryAnnCochran says
We drove to St. Louis to start our family vacation.
TerryMaigi says
I was completely spoiled! Lunch, followed by a mini shopping spree and then dinner with my extended family!
grapejuicemomma says
For Mother’s Day we had some friends over and we went to church that morning, then hung out at home for awhile before visiting my mom!
Laura Jacobson says
We all went to my parents house…all the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews! Had a wonderful time visiting with everyone and the kids all had so much fun playing!
alliemeyer says
We went out to brunch with my mom then grilled out for dinner at my in-laws! It was low key and perfect!
tiggerkd26 says
Went shopping then to a viewing cause my great aunt passed away…
leyn16 says
honestly didn’t do anything… My partner did the mom job for a day and I was relaxed at home. He changed diapers, cleaned a little bit and cook for me! I think that was the perfect gift! By the evening he was tired to cook so he took is out to dinner haha.
CraziMomOf2Boys says
Went to church, then browsed guitar center and hubby bought me a new guitar for my Mother’s Day present!
Lysalou852 says
I worked in the morning doing behavioral therapy with an autistic boy, but after that we went out to chipotle for lunch! Then I got The Walking Dead video game for the wii U as well as a pretty peach colored maternity dress for this summer! Later we had people over for a dinner cook out! Over all I enjoyed my mothers day!
kaelahbee says
My husband and kiddo surprised me with hanging flower baskets for our porch and we had a BBQ and picked strawberries from my mom’s garden
avsgyrl says
For my first mothers day. We went to Nay and saw cirque de sole. Had dinner at a fabulous Mediterranean wine bar. Stayed over in the city and went to a delicious Mexican brunch. All with a 9 moth in tow, could have been better!!!
sarahrose515 says
I went to church with my family and my husband took my in-laws and I to dinner!
AleneNielsen says
visited my mom
LizWelsh says
My husband works 3-midnight, so he got permission to come in a little late. We got almost a full day together with the kids, which is almost unheard of!
PapaBearMiles says
Took my girlfriend out to lunch to celebrate her being a wonderful mother to our son and our unborn daughter. Then later we had a cook out with the family for my mother, girlfriend and sister.
ClarkRachelle says
We went to church then I saw my sweet daughter perform in the Dora production at our local community theater. She is so talented! Later I got some quiet time while the hubby took care of all four kiddos under the age of 10!
ChristyIsttc says
We went to the lake and just spent time together.
CarissaJoslyn says
my mom took my boys and i to go get their hair cut. I’m single, so that was a nice treat.
Jhartl says
A trip to GiGi’s for cupcakes! Then, a cookout with my parents and my sister and brother. Perfect day!:)
hburmeister says
We had a Mothers Day BBQ
toosurreal01 says
It was a busy day! Lunch out with one-side of the family and then a grill-out with the other side!
AngieUkena says
I made dinner for my mother
MLASW says
Spent time with family!
sunshyne1977 says
wasn’t a good day,our lawn mower broke and rolled into our road while trying to fix it
christinejessamine says
I went out to dinner with my family
wallest02 says
I keep checking my email, who won??!!
JETisexpecting says
wallest02 wondering as well! waiting to see his updated post here, twitter & fb 🙁 would love to congratulate the extremely lucky one!