Mother's Day Flower Pot

Can you believe Mother's Day is already upon us?

I know I can't.

My kids are lucky enough to have both of their grandma's living in the same city as our family.  This makes it fun to do little gifts for the grandparents from their grandkids on Mother's Day and Father's Day.  Even if this just means a handmade card by the kids.

We haven't made the craft/gift yet for this year (I know I only have 2 days left!). I have the idea, but my mom reads this blog and I don't want to spoil the surprise (or disappoint if the idea doesn't pan out!)

I thought I would share a gift we made a few years ago from my daughter for each of her grandma's just in case you're looking for a last minute gift idea!

　

Isn't it cute?

This is my mom's, which has the name "Nonna" written on it. That is what she is called by the grandkids. My mother-in-law is "Nana". (Yes, sometimes this can get confusing!)

I don't have any step by step pictures since I made this 2 years ago. However it's pretty easy to explain:

What you'll need:

Colored paper (or you can just color white paper yourself!)

Green pipe cleaners

Pictures

Clay pot

Acrylic Paint

Ribbon

Pinto Beans (or something similar)

Mod Podge/Glue

What to do:

I took some different colored paper and had my daughter do some fabulous drawings on them. Then I cut the paper into tulip shapes (cut 2 shapes for each flower that you want for the end product).

I glued a green pipe cleaner in between 2 tulip shapes. On one of the tulips I glued a picture of my daughter.  I also added the date on the bottom of one of the flowers.  I like to do this to most gifts I make so that in years to come when your memory isn't as sharp, you can remember when the gift was made!

For the flower pot I just used some acrylic paint and painted "Nonna" (or "Nana" for the other one).  There is also a heart drawn on the other side that is not pictured.  I then glued some ribbon around the top edge in a coordinating color :)

I filled the pot with pinto beans for stability and stuck the flowers in the beans.

So simple!

My mom's still sits on her desk at work. And this is such an easy gift to add more "flowers" as the number of grandkids increases :)

　

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all mom's this weekend!

Hippity-Hoppity Easter's On It's Way

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged. I know you've missed me (all one  of you that is probably reading my random ramblings!)

Anyway, with Easter right around the corner, I thought I would share my Easter basket ideas.  Hopefully this post will be a little bit more timely than the super bowl post.

While I do give the kids candy in their Easter baskets, I really try to limit the amount that they get. The grandparents' also know my thoughts on the excess candy situation, and for the most part they stick to my wishes. (In the interest of full disclosure, grandparents still like to do whatever they want).  

I'm really not a prude and refuse to give my kids candy or sweets or anything like that (trust me, they get more than their fair share). But let's be real here; no 3 year old and 1 year old need THAT MUCH candy. Plus, mommy is much more likely to eat it if it's around, so it's best for all parties involved if we limit the intake. (Luckily, I'm only on bag THREE of the jellybeans so far).

Both of my kids birthdays are in the fall, so I kind of use Easter as an excuse to give "gifts" that I would probably be buying anyway since there is no birthday or Christmas in the coming months.

So, what are my kids getting this year?!

I'm glad you're so curious!

For my three year old daughter:

*Nail Polish (this has yet to be purchased, it will most likely be purple since that is her favorite color!)

*Sidewalk Chalk

*A new spring outfit (picture the dress with cute white legging capris....that I'm sure won't stay white for very long!)



{source: Carters.com}



*2 new books, with two of her favorite current obsessions (Curious George and Super Why!)

{source: Amazon.com}

{source: Amazon.com}

　

　

For my 18 month old son:

*New spring PJ's (have you caught on to the subtle baseball theme?!)



{source: Kohls.com}

*Rain Coat


{source: Kohls.com}


*Of course, a book.  This is one of my favorites from when I was a kid, but I bought the board book version for smaller hands:

{source: Amazon.com}

*Bubbles, bubble, and more bubbles.  This isn't the exact same bubble set that we purchased, but it's most similar. Basically, it's a tumbler and it's awesome because IT DOESN'T SPILL.  Amazing.  We already had two of them, but we've lost the wand on one and the kids fight over them all.the.time.  So, more bubbles it is!

{source: Amazon.com}

*I will also probably add a ball or something else to play with outside



Other popular items that may or may not make it into the baskets this year (I haven't actually put together the baskets, so we'll see how everything fits):

-Crayons
-Coloring book
-Stamps
-Stickers



In addition to this fun stuff, they will of course get candy.  I like to fill plastic eggs with jellybeans.  Not only does this limit the amount of jellybeans they get, they think it's fun to open the eggs and have surprises inside! 
I'm sure there will also be some peanut butter eggs because they are my favorite my daughter's favorite.  I'll throw in one box of peeps for good measure because what is Easter without peeps!?!

I will also be attempting to be cute and crafty by making a "carrot" out of cheddar crackers.  I bought the Target brand because they are little chicks instead of fish which is clearly more Eastery (is that even a word?!).  I'll post pictures after I actually make them!


If you have any suggestions for items you like to fill your Easter baskets with, share them in the comments!  I would love to hear them!