My mom was the kind of parent who packed four lunches,
wrapped them in red bandanas,
and tied them to the end of poles she’d hunted for.
Just so her four kids could saunter out into the woods and picnic there.
Mom made everything magical!
During my first few years of teaching kindergarten, I lived and taught in the same town where I grew up. In the evenings, I’d often find myself back over at Mom and Dad’s, relishing in all the day’s stories. They’d laugh over the hysterical things kids said and pray over the bittersweet stories I shared. Many children unknowingly had prayers lifted on their behalf—because of their teacher’s mother.
What a privilege it was for me to retire early and savor so many moments with her. Truly a gift.
Mother of four. Grandmother of twelve. Great-grandmother of five.
An incredible life lived for Jesus.
I miss her every single day.
Surrounded by an Unforgettable Tribe of Women
Throughout my 30+ years of teaching, I was blessed to be completely surrounded by accomplished women—impeccable colleagues, incredible ladies of all ages at church, impactful creators, and unforgettable mommas and grandmas at school. Not to mention those beautifully-wise sisters and sister-in-law of mine. How in the world could I ever give back to them what they gave to me?
Now I realize how blessed I was to have them all in my life. Gratefully, many of them, I still do! (Plus, my grown daughter, daughter-in-law, and nieces!)
One desire I always had was that my students showed grateful appreciation for their mothers and fathers. Preparing for special parent events always brought out the best in them. From the beginning of my career, one of the kindergarten traditional ceremonies across many schools was a “Muffins for Moms” morning close to Mother’s Day. Children adored helping with the planning. They:
- decided which songs, poems, and books to read.
- planned menus.
- decorated the classroom.
- colored drawings and handwrote sweet sentiments on homemade cards.
But, we wanted to do more.
Showing Appreciation for These Special Women
One of my all-time favorite gifts over the years was a culmination of our spring inquiry into birds. My teaching assistant, Lisa McCaulley Smith (still an incredible creator!) came up with these darling bird nests she helped children make from shredded paper and assorted things she’d gathered. (Here is a more recent one she’s made.)
She invited children to slide an extra-special piece of fabric into the nests as well. Earlier in the year for our first kindergarten study, the children had brought a precious piece of fabric—everything from baby blankets and pajamas to soccer jerseys and Halloween costumes. Lisa helped each child slip a strip of that memorable fabric into those precious nests. Don’t you know those mommas just wept, realizing the significance of their own little baby birdies flying off into the world?
An incredible milestone from the beginning of their kindergarten year to the end!
Hats Off to Our Moms!
Lisa always came through with these exquisite Mother’s Day sunbonnets, created by the children. Whoever would have dreamed a huge coffee filter would look fantastic on the heads of our mommas? Lisa coached kids as they filled the filters with an array of colorful tempera paint. Then, she’d whip out our colored masking tape to create hat-bands.
And voilà, the most dramatic Mother’s Day bonnets ever!
If super-sized filters weren’t available, newspaper spreads worked, too. 😉
And, yes, our precious kindergarten mommas wore those hats the whole morning of their visit!
The Classic Recipe Books
Since the early 2000’s, a favorite Mom tradition became “Our Kindergarten Cookbooks.” Or better known as… “How WE Think Our Mothers Really Made Our Favorite Dishes.” Originally, I envisioned it as a nice collection of kid drawings alongside their treasured family recipes. A service to busy moms, I thought.
What it transformed into… was something way more entertaining!
Looking for Books That Might Touch Your Heart This Mother's Day?
- The Keeping Quilt, Patricia Polacco
Representing five generations of Polacco’s family, this book features a handmade quilt and how it impacts all the lives of their women. Even the youngest listeners can see the colorful quilt from page to page. They learn rich Jewish traditions as well as everyday life occurrences through decades. This book sets the tone for families to discuss traditions and cultures.
- Momma, Where Are You From? Marie Bradby
Envisioning the past of an African-American mother, illustrator Chris K. Soentpiet beautifully captures her memories. Bradby’s poetic text catches children up and carries them through pictures and memories of a different time. The book provides opportunities for families to talk about the challenges our nation has faced over the years and seeing positive changes since then. After reading this book, my children often created catchy chants about places from where they’ve come as well.
- Love You Forever, Robert Munsch
Considered a modern classic by some, Robert Munsch showcases the sweet relationship between a mother and her son. Some things change over the years. Others don’t.
- The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn
When a young raccoon does not want to go to school without his mother, she gives him a way they can always feel connected. Many kindergartners adore this book!
Whether you spend your Mother’s Day cooking or crafting, reading or gifting, savor every single second. And take a few pictures to smile back on. One day, you’ll be glad you did.
If you’re hoping to read more inspiration, why don’t you check out this post? Here, our first graders studied their remarkable grandparents and completed incredible expert projects on them.
These are wonderful memories of our time with you and Lisa… remembering special moments like making Mother’s Day so incredibly special for me ( then as a young mother and educator). Now, as I am older, and those two children of mine you taught with such love, as I watch and help take care of my own mother, these memories are, oh, so very special to remember and share out loud. Thank you for this gift! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Love this. Thank you for the inspiration! 💕
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