Hey Guys (and Kiddos)...Do THIS Not THAT For Mother's Day...

Okay, okay, okay.......

I know what y'all are thinking.

You're telling yourself "It's the thought that counts."

or "My wife/mom isn't like that." 

or "She doesn't like us to fuss/spend/make stuff."

But the best one is "She already knows we love her."

Ummmm.......yeah. RIGHT.  Let's go with that.

Or not.  DEFINITELY not! :)

But we can have a little fun with this, so let's get started.

Anyway, I'm gonna help you navigate the tricky waters known as Mother's Day.

Ready for this???

  Okay, in no particular order, we will look at traditional (#old and #boring) ideas,

 and then we'll tweak them a bit to make mama happy.  

Ready?  Let's DO this.......

1.  Breakfast in Bed.

Who doesn't like Breakfast in Bed?  Just remember this.......

NO mom will enjoy breakfast in bed if Junior sticks his hand in the toaster, 

and the dog pees on the floor cause no one took him out.  And if she walks out to 

a kitchen wth syrup dripping from the ceiling and sticky juice on the floor, it's pretty much worthless.  Save yourself the trouble. 

SOLUTION:   If you are gonna do breakfast in bed, do it RIGHT! 

Keep it simple.......some fruit cut up and placed in a pretty bowl, coffee just the way she likes it,

and some sort of toast/pastry/scone.  (*Hint:  buy this the night before;)  

* *Bonus points for a simple flower in a vase on the tray.  And it's a perfect time for a few handmade cards for her to read while sipping java.

You can do more...but clean it up!  And no screaming and fighting in the kitchen.

This makes mom nervous.

2.  Gift Certificates/Gift Cards

These are great gifts.  A relaxing spa gift card. Shopping at her favorite store.

But your job does not end at buying the gift card boys.

Yes, you are telling her to splurge.  Treat herself.  Have fun. Enjoy!

But you have to BABYSIT!!!!!  Or arrange for a sitter.  And make sure sanity reigns at home.

(Meaning she doesn't get all chilled out and happy, only to come home to a house thats been destroyed, babies crying for mama, and a sitter or daddy who is ready to blow.

Not cool.  Give her the whole package.  Please do this.  I can't tell you how many times my husband gave me a spa day to go with my best friend (who was also my baby sitter at the time), only to be too busy to babysit.  And a note about gift cards.  Tell her to buy whatever she wants with one condition.  Show and Tell when she gets home.  Because I promise you,

there are MANY moms who will end up buying for you, the kids or the house. 

I still do that sometimes.  THEY need the treat, okay?

3.  Mom's Day Off

Let's see how this works.

If you give her this ON Mother's Day, she'll be happy but really, this won't work.

Why?  Think about it.  Here is what her day will be like.......

(and I'm assuming Mom goes to church, but even if she doesn't, it may be similar).

You: "Honey, you are not to do a THING toady"

Her:  Well alrighty then.  I can do that!  Think I'll hop in the shower.

And when she comes out, all fresh and pretty, ready to go........

The kiddos still aren't dressed.  NO WORRIES.......she wants to help her babies, right?

You finally get to church and when you get home, YIKES!  Did anyone take the dogs out before we left?  GUESS NOT!  

Her: Hahahaha it's okay.  I love you anyway!!!

As the day goes on, little things remain undone.  Dinnertime?  Clean up again!

And don't forget if the kids have homework, git r done!!! And pack those backpacks for Monday:)  See my point?  If you are gonna give mom a day off, then do it right!  

Cover all the bases OR better yet, let her get away with a friend for the day and maybe night.

Girl time, Relaxing time........and home comes a HAPPY Mommy who missed her family and can't wait to jump in there and take care of her family.  Hopefully!

Give her a day off:)

4.  Chocolates and Flowers

Hey.......you really took the easy way out.  

If the kids did this, okay.  But Dad.......come on.

IF you are giving sweets, please make sure she likes them and/or even WANTS them.  If she's trying to get in shape, then what the heck are you thinking?

UNLESS.......you give her a box of THESE chocolates:)

Adorable!!!

And flowers.......as a mom I used to hate if my husband ordered expensive flowers at a florist.

Get them at Costco or something.  Beautiful and not so pricey.  And give her the rest of the $$$$$ if you FEEL cheap.  But that isn't necessary, since it's not about how much money in the end.

Even worse though is giving her a bouquet of super thorny roses, so she can sit and trim them all morning.  Please, buy trimmed flowers or do it yourself. Or buy flowers she can plant outside if she likes gardening.  There are many ways to make mom feel special.  One time (and I believe ONLY one time LOL) my husband taped messages of love all over the house and pics the girls drew for me.  (They were young)  

* * * * * BEST gift ever!

5.  You know those commercials for a pricey necklace to celebrate "MOM"?

Save yourself the trouble, dude.

Chances are she won't like/want that generic piece of jewelry.

If you want to splurge, go for it. IF as a family you can afford it, and only if !

But seriously, ask her what she might like, or buy her something awesome that celebrates HER as a MOM and HER family and is something more to her taste.  Personalize it!  Etsy has great gifts for this.

6.  Perfume

When you go shopping and the salesperson wants to show you their new fragrance but you really came for her all-time favorite, BE FIRM.  Buy her favorite and ask for a sample of the new one.  No surprises.......it's her fav for a reason, okay?  

Here's my favorite.........Michael by Michael Kors;)

7.  Lingerie

Here is my tip from most of the moms I have ever know.  

SKIP THE LINGERIE!

Chances are, what you think she wants isn't what she wants.  If you have young children, she needs something she can hop out of bed at 3 in the morning to soothe a nightmare or doctor a sick child.  

Now, what you CAN do is get her a super comfy yet super cute pair of PJ'S.  

(Notice I now call them PJ'S.  THIS is what a mommy wears, so deal with it;)

Just check her size before you go and make sure there is a good return policy, just in case.

Remember......CUTE/PRETTY/COMFY are the key words here.

8.  A Clean House

You and the kids can do this yourselves OR you can hire a maid service to come in and deep clean the house for her. Personally, I would love this.  

But I have this weird habit when on the rare occasion someone is coming to clean my house.

I nearly kill myself the night or morning before they arrive cleaning the house.

YES, the house you paid them to clean.

Because I don't want some stranger to think I am a gross hoarding slob.

Or I didn't raise my girls to clean up after themselves.

I'm serious.  AND,  I am not alone here.

So as part of the package, YOU go around and make sure the things that SHOULD be put away are.  I'm not saying you have to clean.......just pick up.  Straighten things.  

Fluff and Buff a little.  She's gonna LOVE you for this gift if you do it right:)

9.  Family Photo Book

Chances are, she's your family photographer and/or photo organizer/scrapbooker/photo book maker.  This one is MUCH easier than you think.  Shuuterfly, Apple, Snapfish, Mixbook.......

even your local Target or Walgreens. 

You or the kiddos could gather your favorite photos (or drawings), no rhyme or reason necessary, and make a photo book for mom.  This is always a hit.

10.  Family Fun Day

This is always FUN!  A day at the beach, on the boat, at the park, at a ballgame........

just remember that if everyone pitches in 

(and I bet mom will too if everyone is on their best behavior)

it'll be an AWESOME day for everyone and nothing will make Mama happier:)

Tips and Tricks:

~when in doubt, ask her friends, her mom (yes, she may know her little girl better than you think) even your children.  

Hey........when it comes to things like favorite color, favorite music/movies, stuff like that............

my girls have always known me WAY better than my husband:)  Just sayin.......

~if you are determined to give her "gifts" to open, but you are not a shopper........

do what my nephew did this past Christmas.  He let my girls and I shop for his wife.

I think even she appreciated it.  But even if it wasn't perfect, he/we tried. 

All that counts:)

~Just because you golf. Or play tennis.  Or throw horseshoes........

don't assume she wants to.  And in fact, just because you don't get her love of knitting, or refinishing furniture, or anything crafty/diy..........let her do HER thing sometimes while YOU watch the kids.  Kind of like she does when you pursue your hobbies.

Support her.........like our friend from The Notebook!

Bottom line here is this;

If your're buying her a gift, make it something she will LOVE.

If you are giving her a gift that involves just "mommy time", give her the whole package.

And remember, MOST moms don't care what you spend.

And they TRULY LOVE handmade gifts from their babies.  

And they really don't ask for much.

Just go out of your way to make her feel special and appreciated on Mother's day.

Do your BEST!

Next time I have a few COOL and unique gift ideas:)

XOXO

BLESSED on Mother's Day.........

i am blessed.

so blessed.......to have a special mom.

blessed with two beautiful girls who call me Mom.

yes, i am blessed.

 when i came across one of my mom's devotional books recently,

i saw some thoughts that must have meant a lot,

enough for her to jot them down.

(she knows i read this:)

anyway, on mother's day,

i thought i would share a few of those thoughts.

i hope you see how blessed i am:)

then i got to thinking about my mom and the good ol' days.

that's when i realized that while i may try (and often fail) with

fancy new recipes........

my mom is still the best cook i know.

that's because who cares how great some special sauce is

 or fancy seafood dish turns out.......

if you can't make really good mashed potatoes and gravy,

you have problems:)

(and my mom makes AMAZING mashed potatoes and gravy:)

and strawberry shortcake.

and macaroni and cheese.

and oven baked chicken breasts.

and spaghetti.

and lemon merengue pie!

all the important stuff:)

she also has a frosting recipe we love and it goes 

PERFECTLY

 on her Strawberry Cake........

maybe that's why somebody wrote this........

because they were blessed to have a special mom too.

it's beautiful.......one of my favorites.

don't you love that?

here are a few more thoughts on mom's......

and whatever you remember from this,

PLEASE,

call your mom today:)

and since i promised you smiles for today,

this just

C

R

A

C

K

S

 me up!

and last but not least,

to my beautiful daughters.......

i know you have a special day planned,

and i can't wait!!!!!

but there is something you need to know.

while you rack your brains to think of the perfect gift,

you forget that YOU are my perfect gifts!

God gave me the perfect gift when he gave me you:)

everything else is just icing 

(don't get me wrong, i love icing;)

same thing when he gave me my mom......

the perfect gift.

yes, i am truly blessed this mother's day!

wishing

 all of the moms out there,

 moms to be, 

gonna be moms someday 

and

just as important,

 those special ladies who have been 

"just like like another mom" to someone,

a beautiful, blessed day!

XOXOXO

for mom......a shabby chic dream cottage and soft, cuddly puppies......

hi mom!

yes, YOU:)

it's your big week 

and since i'm not there to do something special with you,

i'm showing you what i WOULD do if i could.

i would give you a shabby chic home makeover.

better yet, i would buy you a sweet

  shabby chic cottage 

and decorate it like this.

WELCOME to your new shabby cottage.........

 complete with a white picket fence covered with beautiful pink roses!

your palettes inside would be either based on WHITES and creams,

or shabby pastels like this.....

here are two ideas for your living room.......

don't you love the pink furniture and the pretty rug?

here, the blue walls are optional.

i just know you like blues:)

let's go to the kitchen area for a cup of tea.....

do you like it?

 did i mention i would paint your piano white 

and add some embellishments like this one?

 makes me want a piano!:)

are you wondering what your bedroom will look like?

well, here you go......

we could do something like this......

of course, your bed would be made:)

or maybe like this.......

actually, this is pretty much my dream bed:)

or maybe you prefer this beauty.......

a shabby bathroom of course, simple white tub, white fluffy towels, with maybe a touch of distressed aqua.......

or maybe we would keep it ALL white.

yes, i think that's what we'll do.

we can't forget the porch.......

one thing would be mandatory.......

an iron daybed for those afternoon naps:)

you need a porch swing, too......

and if you had this sign hanging out front, i guarantee

LOTS of visitors:)

of course, i would make sure there were beautiful flowers in every room......

so, what do you think?

like it?

well......i WISH i could make it all come true.

at least my heart's in the right place:)

but something's missing.

cute cottage......check

shabby chic decor.......check

flowers........check

vintage signs.......check

what could it be?

i know!

something to share it with.

something to 

C

U

D

D

L

E

!

something like one of these cuties.........

the puppy in the center, on top, is looking at you right now.

gazing in your eyes.

can you hear it?

"won't you take me home.........please don't let me be picked last."

go ahead.........say it.

NO WAY!

but listen to me......

don't be swayed by the dogs aunt m had.

she loved them so much........TOO MUCH to raise them right.

you learned what to do and what not to do.

and when you want to go away,

people will BEG to watch a well behaved dog.

see......i should know.

cute little freddy was given everything a dog could want......

and he never lets us forget that.

maui was raised better and people want to take him home all the time.

(and anyway, kathy will watch your pup:)

you wouldn't have to take it out at night.....you could train it to use

puppy pads on your back porch.

see.....i've thought of everything!

and not to make you sad, but i believe things happen for a reason.......

and who would've thought dad would fall in love with 

one of these cuties.

i think it's a sign.

he wants you to have one:)

okay, okay.....i'll stop.

but first i have a confession to make.

after i saw dad with his new buddy,

i was actually planning on getting him one just like her.

i know.......what was i thinking!

oh, you would have been so mad at me!

(heeheehee)

alright, you know i'm just playing with you now.

but i WAS going to get one.

and i STILL WOULD gladly get you one of your own.

just say the word:)

it would make me feel better about living so far away.

okay, have i tried every argument yet?:)

well, i hope you like your shabby little dream cottage:)

i had fun creating it for you.

what else can i do on a day when i am severely sleep deprived.....again:)

XOXOXOX

Hey Moms........

this is your week!

i say, work it......all week:)

and if you ever feel alone,

or like no one understands,

or you need advice from a friend,

then PLEASE

visit my FAVORITE parenting site,

iMom.

this site is so inspirational, encouraging, informative and downright cool!

it's like talking with your best friend.

check out this list.......

11 things you should NOT do as a mom:)

1.  I must be cheerful for my family at all time.
2. I must never admit I'm having a hard dayI must focus on my kids 24/7
3. I am only as good as the size of my jeans
4. I must make every meal healthy, tasty and special
5. I must make every day fun for my family
6. I cannot go to bed until all of my "mom work" is done
7. I must get everything "right" with my kids or they will be ruined
8. I must keep my house pretty close to spotless
9. I must say yes to every school or volunteer request
10. I must berate myself when I fall short of these mombligations

(hahaha.....now remember, those were 11 things you should NOT do) 

• TONS of parenting tips and articles like these.....
• 10 Ways to Discipline Your Child
• 21 Creative Consequences
• 5 Ways to Help Your Shy Child
• 9 Strategies for Feeding Picky Eaters
• Anger: Dealing with Anger in Children
• Attitude: Instilling a Can-Do Attitude in Your Children
• Bedtime: How to reduce Bedtime Struggles
• Behavior: Getting to the Heart of It
• Chores: Age-Appropriate Chores
• Church Benefits
• Complaining: How to Stop the Whining and Complaining
• Cursing: Kids and Cursing
• Disappointment: How to help your child deal with disappointment
• Fear: Is your Child afraid of the Dark?
• Goal Setting with your Children
• Honor: More than Obedience
• How Not to Let Your Family Revolve Around One Child
• `Kindness: Five Ways to Cultivate Kindness in your Child

and those are just a few articles you'll find on iMom

i got this in my email box today and thought i

would pass it on.

please visit iMOM and print these great sheets out for yourself.

a few FOR mom, a few for your kiddies, a bit of everything:)

great for a memory book.......

sometimes it's that one tiny special thing you do that makes the day!

 (i think I need this to stick with a diet/exercise program:)

and lastly, a fun, yummy mother's day treat you AND your kiddos will love...... 

 Super Easy Super Yummy Chocolate Fondue

                             1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark or bitter)

2 tablespoons butter

1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For dipping: sliced apples, sliced bananas, sliced pineapples, marshmallows

Skewers

DirectionsPlace chocolate chips, butter, condensed milk and water in heavy saucepan.  Melt mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove pan from stove and stir in vanilla.Use fondue for dipping while it is still warm. Store unused fondue covered in refrigerator.

okay, so go meet your new best friends at iMOM and while you're there, be sure to sign up for Espresso Minute.

you'll be so happy you did!

linking up.....

Hugs,

Suzanne

Happy Belated Mum's Day...

 yes...MUM!

this IS royal wedding month after all...

at least for the shabby chick "princesses" :)

and while my wishes for a special day are a bit late,

they are sincere!

(and by the way, I DID wish my own mother a happy day on Sunday

 so I'm not TOTALLY unfortunate!

 to Mums everywhere...

I hope you had a royally good day...

and were treated like the princess you are...

I apologize for being so late with my royal wedding recap.

 just wasn't feeling great last week, you know?

but never fear (or maybe you SHOULD fear..haha)

it's coming tomorrow at the latest!

along with a few winners...

although you're ALL winners!

hope you had a wonderful weekend...

and to my Mum...

 I love you!

(is my mum cool or what? Just look at her in the mini cooper with

the union jack on top!  hee-hee:)

you are the QUEEN MUM!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxo

Suzanne