Ahhhh, Mother's Day

Most mothers have a story or two about the gifts they receive on this most appreciated holiday. It's a day to celebrate the unbridled creativity in young people -- oh, and the women that birthed them.

Often teachers, fathers and grandparents help kids to create lovely gifts. But I've found that the most heartwarming surprises are those that are accomplished with no adult intervention whatsoever.

My kids are 7- and 9-years-old, so they've had years to refine their creative skills. This Mother's Day, my favorite surprises were:

1. A dried paper-pulp heart made from construction paper and water. They'd learned about this process in school, but he did it at home. (So that's why he asked me for the blender and I said, "no"... and why I had to unclog the sink last week!)

2. A cut-off water bottle filled with 10 days worth of loving rolled messages, accompanied by a poem. She modified this from something she looked up in a craft book.

3. A secretive dual effort I interrupted last Friday. They whisked me away from the kitchen because they didn't want me to discover they were making me puppy chow (Chex mix, peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar.) The best part of this gift was the fact they kept from eating the scrumptious gift for two days before giving it to me. (A serious feat for my sweets-addict boy.)

What was the most creative Mother's Day gift you received? Which surprised you the most? Please comment!

Mother's Day parenting children