Last week a friend of mine asked about my Mother’s Day plans and when she heard I had a race she said “Why would you want to run on Mother’s Day weekend?” Personally, I think of races as treats: kind of a celebration of the work I’ve put in. Who wouldn’t want a treat? When I asked her what I ‘should’ be doing instead of racing she answered “sleep in.” To each his own I guess.
Here’s how Mother’s Day weekend shook out:
Saturday morning: Up and out bright, no make that rainy, and early for the Chicago Spring Half.
Saturday afternoon: Errands, playdates, and a nap.
Saturday night: Out for dinner with Caveman and the kids.
Sunday: Up and out for some recovery time on the bike. Gorgeous morning!
Then I recruited the kiddos to help me plant in our new community garden, which I am mega-excited about. As a former Master Gardener who has let her credentials lapse, I’ve longed to get back in the dirt, alas our land around the house is quite shady. The community garden will be perfect!
We planted a whole mess of stuff and the kids still want to add some raspberry bushes.
Later there was yet another dinner, this time with extended family. In case you were worried, any calories burned during my half marathon were replenished…and then some.
Overall it was just the right mix of activity and relaxation.
Red Alert: I still haven’t gotten my mom anything. I’ll see her this weekend so I have a few days to get my act together. She’s impossible: no hobbies beyond indulging grandchildren. Does not enjoy movies, flowers, spas or eating out. Purses, wallets, photo albums, and food have all been done. She despises gift cards, yet I’ll never hear the end of it if I fail to come up with something. I need help from the gift fairy!
Are you a good gift giver? Are you easy to buy for?
Wasn’t Sunday STUNNING? People thought I was nuts for running 20 on Mother’s Day, but I figure it’s my day – I do what I want (and then I have an excuse for being a lump on the couch the rest of the day!).
Does she do jewelry? I gave my mom a really pretty mother’s necklace with kids/grandkids birthsones once that was a big hit. It worked for us because there aren’t very MANY of us 🙂 Good luck! I suck at finding my mom something she likes.
I think that the best gifts are the ones we just happen upon in the store that makes us think of the other person. Matt’s favorite birthday present, for example, was a mug with lightning bolts on it (he’s a weatherman) that I found a couple of months ago. It’s just hard to remember where to find those things when you hid them so well. 🙂 And it doesn’t help your current situation.
Maybe have your kids help you make something for her, like decorate a canvas tote bag she can take to the grocery store or something. Who doesn’t like things that little kids helped make? 🙂
Wow, you have a huge backyard – sweet!! A garden would be fun. I wish I could be a gardener…even a lousy one would be a step up from where I am.
I think a race on Mother’s Day is an ideal Mother’s Day! 🙂
Love the kid pics, what cuties!!
Sounds like you had a great weekend!!
Could you bake something for your mom? That’s usually what I do when I can’t come up with anything.
What a great weekend! So funny about your friends reaction:) I totally see racing and running as a treat. Only runners would understand I guess:) I made a photo calendar (for Christmas) from Costco online and it was a hit, but I guess half the year is over:( Good luck in thinking of something for your mom!
Maybe if she doesn’t like to eat out, find out her favorite meal and enlist in the help of your kids to make it for her (and clean up afterwards, of course) in her own home. My in-laws insist they never want anything from me, except to make this one particular dish every time I visit!
i consider myself a good gift giver and love to give gifts and I think I am pretty easy to shop for-well, I think most runners are. 🙂 I liked the suggestion about jewelry with the grandkids/yalls birthstones. or what about a trip somewhere? like a B&B? or does she like to read? I love my kindle-and we got my mom one for Christmas and she loves it. i’ve also made photobooks online and those have been good (but sounds like you have done that). If she likes coffee and doesn’t have a keurig-those are great too.
I have zero advice on what to give your Momma! I always like to give people a “memory” so I buy them something they can do (with me normally) 🙂
Does your Mom still read? would she like a Kindle? It’s the same with my Dad we never know what to get him. Sigh.
I am with you! races are a treat and are super fun. I would much rather be up and doing something I love than sleeping on Mother’s Day. So glad you had a great day.
I am no help with what to get your mom other than maybe tickets to something???
Good luck!
I am terrible at finding that perfect gift for someone…
BUT I’m usually pretty easy to buy for!
newest follower 🙂
The community garden is so exciting! I miss gardening- we don’t have the space right now, and are slowly figuring out the southern growing season (so different!) I’ve settled for a half dozen pots of veggies and herbs for now.
I love that you raced on Mothers’ Day weekend. I agree that races are a treat.
I’m also impressed with your gardening skills. I have a garden in the front yard and I suck at gardening.
My mom is the same way! It’s so frustrating! Let me know what you decide!
Maybe you could give her a planned date with the grandkids. Like you pay and pick the place and send her on an adventure with them since she likes to be with them. We always sing to my mom because she loves music. Every year we call and sing her songs about moms.
And I love races for any holiday too! It’s a treat.
Sounds like a great weekend! Hope you’re recovering well from your half.
I’m lucky because my Mom is easy and gift cards usually work. Maybe you should get your Mom a copy of “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
Just kidding : )
Looks like you had a great weekend! Your kids look like twins!
My mom is easy to buy for on Mother’s Day, she always loves getting flowers! Any other time I need to buy her a gift is pretty easy too as she has a few hobbies, scrapbooking, running, etc.
I am the easiest to buy gifts for. My favorite things are books…so this is easy and running clothes also easy!
for mom….hmmm
new pjs?
basket from bath and body works? with candles and wall flowers and lotions?
make something on snapfish.com
they have plenty of stuff there some you can pick up the same day!
I totally ahve people in my life who are IMPOSSIBLE to buy for because they have no interests and buy everything they want. It makes me crazy at Christmas time. I know it’s not the gift that counts, but I do like to think of myself as a good gifter!
I am VERY easy to buy for. I have a perpetual wishlist on google docs 🙂