Mother's Day and Flower Round-Up

Mother's Day and Flowers Ideas

• Flower Face
• Gift for Mom or Grandma
• Mother's Day Books 2011

• Straw Flowers

• Wood Flowers

Straw Flowers

This is one of those simple crafts that are low mess that your child will still love to do. 

Supplies:

• Paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Straw
• Crayons, markers, glitter, etc. as desired

Depending on the age and skills of your child, either you or your child draw a flower on paper. Decorate if desired. Then you or your child cut out the flower. Draw petals and cut out. Tape pieces to the straw. You can make a nice bouquet or just give out single flowers. This could be a fun gift your child could create for moms, grandmas, or anyone else they want to give it away to.

Mother's Day Books

There is absolutely no shortage in books about Moms out there. No shortage. I guess that is a testament to how important moms are, right? Here is a list of some books we have read and loved and books we own and love. I have let you know which ones I think are definitely worth owning.

Mother May I by Grace Maccarone

This is a fun rhyming book where the child asks for things, but in the end all the child wants is a hug from mom.

The Most Thankful Thing by Lisa Mccourt

A story about a mom telling her daughter that she is her most thankful thing.

Clifford's Happy Mother's Day by Norman Birdwell

Our kids always love Clifford books. This one is about Clifford and his mom.

My Mommy Hung the Moon by Jamie Lee Curtis

This story is all about the love between a mother and daughter. The mother loves the daughter with unconditional love, and the daughter believes the mother is the best at everything there is to be best at. This is so the way Kaitlyn views me right now.

Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney

Don't let the title fool you. Llama gets mad at Mama, but Mama patiently helps him turn toward being cheerful and helpful. A great mom book. This is one we own and our kids love the Llam Llama books.

Where Is Baby's Mommy? Karen Katz

Karen Katz is definitely one of my favorite authors for babies and toddlers. This is a fun lift-the-flap board book. This is another one we own and love.

Counting Kisses by Karen Katz

 

Another one we own and love. This one isn't so much just a mom book--it works for Dads and grandparents, too. But this is definitely one I think is a must-own.

Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz

See? I told you we love Karen Katz. I think that title and picture say it all.

No Matter What by Debi Gliori

In this book, the Mommy explains that she will always love her child, no matter what. This is another one we own and love.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

I think this is another must-own. This story takes you from the child being a baby on up to being a grown man and taking care of his ailing mother. This is very sweet and leaves my Father-In-Law in tears every time.

Mom, Wake Up and Play by Brigitte Weniger

This is a sweet story about a child trying to busy himself while mom sleeps in--only he doesn't want to do mom's favorite activities because he doesn't want her to miss out on the fun.

Bear of My Heart by Joanne Ryder

This one could work for Mother's Day or Father's day because the author cleverly never discloses if this is mom or dad bear. It is all about the fun of parent and child together.

I Love My Mommy Storybook

This book actually has the first three books I listed on this list--so if you want all three in one pack, this is the one for you.

I Will Kiss You by Stoo Hample

This is a fun read that taps into the silliness of toddlerhood. 

I Love My Mom by Anna Walker

This is cute and simple--great for the younger crowd (toddlers and younger).

Flower Face

We all think our children are the cutest things to ever grace the Earth, so of course it makes perfect sense that Mom and Grandma would love to have a flower with a child's face in the middle of it! 

Above is one Brayden made in Kindergarten. It has his face with do-a-dots used to make the petals. Then crayon for the rest of the picture. The poem reads:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

When you see this flower

You will know

I LOVE YOU!

This one is one Kaitlyn made in nursery at church last year. It is a flower shape that they had her color. They then put the picture in the middle and connected it to a green straw (strong) and a note that says "Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for helping me bloom and grow."

Simple but adorable! 

Wood Flowers

This is a fun idea for something to give to mom or grandma for Mother's Day. It is something a child can do well enough on their own so the item is uniquely theirs.

This is something my children gave to me last year under the direction of my husband. 

Buy some wooden flowers. Many craft stores will have these--especially Michaels. Then you can buy a "vase" of some sort. My husband made this vase from wood, but you could buy a real vase or buy a wooden box.

Let the children paint the flower(S) as they want to. Let dry and give to the mom in your life! I have mine sitting on my computer desk. 

Gift for Mom or Grandma

This is an art project you can have your child help out with and give to Mom or Grandma. They are blocks that spell out the word "Grandma" (or Mother, Mom, or Grandmother, etc.). I then dedicated one block per person and put pictures on it. I did one block for my Mom's Grandmothers. One for her mom. One for my Dad's mom. One for her with Brayden. And one for her with Kaitlyn. Since I gave her these, two grandchildren have joined the family, so I will have to update them. 

Now, you can tell from this picture that she doesn't actually show the "Grandma" spelling. She really just likes it for displaying pictures. If your Mom/Grandma would be like that, then you can skip the letter part of the blocks.

SUPPLIES

• 
  
  Wood blocks the size of your choice. We bought a 4x4 piece of wood from Home Depot and cut the blocks to our desired length. I am sure you could find something similar in a craft store like Michaels.
• 
  
  Decoupage or Mod Podge. You can also get Mod Podge Satin All-In-One Decoupage Sealer. Please note that different Mod Podges have different finishes, from Matte to Lustre.
• 
  
  Foam Brush
• 
  
  Photos of your choice, cut to the appropriate size for your blocks.
• 
  
  Paint
• 
  
  Vinyl Letters or you could paint letters on
• 
  
  Sandpaper if you want a "distressed" look

METHOD

1. 
   
   Paint the blocks using the paint and foam brush. This is something your child can help with. Most of the block is covered by photos, plus if you distress it , you will have little need for a "perfect" paint job. Plus, we love things made by the children we love.
2. 
   
   Let dry.
3. 
   
   If you want a distressed look, gently sand the each edge of each block. You can decide if you do this part yourself or with help. Wipe all dust off.
4. 
   
   Put some decoupage or mod podge on the block.
5. 
   
   Put some decoupage or mod podge on the back of a photo.
6. 
   
   Place the photo on the block.
7. 
   
   Continue for all sides.
8. 
   
   Once you have photos all around the block, move on to the other blocks and put photos on those.
9. 
   
   Let dry.
10. 
    
    Decoupage or mod podge over the top of each photo. This will help protect the photo from scratches, water, etc.

You are done! And you have a lovely gift any mom will love.