Mothers are there for us 365 days a year. It’s only fitting that on Mother’s Day we make the extra effort to treat her like a queen from sunup to sundown.

a.m.

Let mom sleep in late by placing this homemade sign on her doorknob. She can use it anytime she needs a little “me” time. When she wakes up, treat her to these easy-to-make cinnamon buns made from crescent rolls.

Door Hanger
This easy felt pillow requires not a stitch of sewing, so Mom will be relaxing in no time.
Felt (pink and green)
Sissors or Pinking shears
Fabric glue
Ribbon
Fiberfill, cotton balls or tissue
3-by-5-inch index cards

Cut two 9-by-7-inch rectangles of pink felt and one 4-by-6-inch rectangle of green felt. Trim the edges of the felt with pinking shears, if you like, then cut a 2–by-4 -inch window in the green felt.
Apply fabric glue along the two short sides of one of the pink felt pieces, then lay a 30-inch length of colorful ribbon atop the glue lines for a hanger, as shown. Apply more glue along all the edges of the felt, as shown, leaving a 2-inch space at the center of the bottom edge (for adding the stuffing). Set the second piece of pink felt atop the first, pressing it in place. To add the window, apply fabric glue along the sides and bottom of the green felt piece and glue it to the center of the top piece of pink felt. Allow all of the glue to dry completely.
Stuff the pillow with fiberfill, cotton balls, or tissues (don’t overstuff it or the notes won’t lie flat), then seal the hole with more fabric glue and let it dry. Finally, write a few mom-centric messages (such as “Mom’s Quiet Zone” or “The Queen is Napping”) on 3-by-5-inch index cards for Mom to display.
familyfun.go.com

Cinnamon Buns
2 8-oz. packages of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup raisins (or try craisins or dates) (optional)

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons apple juice (or milk)

Preheat oven to 350. Separate the rolls into rectangles (two together) and press the perforations together with fingers. Spread butter over dough.
Combine sugar, cinnamon and raisins in a bowl. Sprinkle mixture over buttered rectangles. Roll up each rectangle from the short end. Cut each roll into 5 slices. Place slices cut side down in an ungreased shallow baking dish.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Mix the glaze together and drizzle on top of the rolls.
Food.com

noon

Dad, fire up the griddle and grill some cheese sandwiches for the family. Cut mom’s sandwich into a special shape using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Keep it simple by mixing up a colorful bowl of fresh fruit to round out the meal. Springtime flowers from the garden make a lovely table decoration.
Then, surprise mom with heartfelt gifts made by the kids. A book full of redeemable coupons is always a hit. It can be as simple as having the kids write in crayon on un-ruled index cards and binding them with ribbon. The coupons could include things like: “Clean your car,” “Make your bed,” “Not roll my eyes for one whole day” (for older kids!) and  “Let you pick out what I’m going to wear.” Kids could also decorate a craft foam picture frame for mom’s dresser or desk. Be sure to include a recent photo.

p.m.

Plan a surprise picnic for mom in the early evening. Longer days mean more time to spend outdoors. Take her to her favorite park or a nearby pond and spread out a blanket and goodies for some quality family time. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, a picnic in the living room will save the day.
After you eat, the kids can entertain mom with a poem or song. Let them make up their own or go to mothersdaycentral.com for inspiration. Before bedtime, let the kids sneak off to put on lipstick and return to cover mom with kisses.
– Sheri Taylor-Emery

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