Mother's Day Is Coming!

Mother's Day is coming--how about writing a poem for a dear lady in your life and do it with your grandkids?


My granddaughters are huge fans of classic Hollywood musicals (probably thanks to their mother and her love for same). One of their favorites is "The Sound of Music." I just know they are able to sing the lyrics to every song on that soundtrack and have been able to since they were little-bitty. A favorite is "My Favorite Things." Since we are always looking for something to write in the way of a book, the girls decided we HAD to change the lyrics to fit their favorite things. We tried and tried on several occasions to no avail. A song about their favorites patterned after the song's lyrics just wouldn't come. Everytime we got together, we tried. Finally I told them since Christmas was coming, let's create a book based on the lyrics, but write it about their mother and her favorite things, and present it to her for Christmas. They agreed. And the words just poured out. They knew immediately their mother's favorite things, and we learned about lyrics, syllables, and extending our list with expressive adjectives and adverbs to make it fit the pattern. We had so much fun!

​We did it for Christmas one year, but it would make a great Mother's Day gift.

Here's a sample of their writing just changing the lyrics to the song:

"Time with her family
Is first on her list,
Sweet Charlie has a place in her heart.

Nieces and nephews,
And sister and brother,

These are a few of her 
​Favorite things!"

We made a book, but of course you can do anything. Just a simple card is nice with their writing. What a treasure to get something written from your children just for YOU!

One of the authors showing off her book.

Sample page in their book.

We just went through my photo file for pictures for our book.

They created this book a couple of years ago, but they still like to go through it.

Other ideas~

Of course you don't have to do a book. You can have your grandchildren make other items to show off their writing to their mother or family friend. The ideas are endless. They can write their poem or song or essay, and present it in a card or on pretty paper tied with ribbons. 

Sample card for mom using their fingerprints for the flower. It becomes a keepsake for mother with their writing tucked inside the card.

Another way to present their writing--pretty paper embellished with ribbon. This one was for their neighbor, Mrs. Kay.

Reading/Writing Connections~

You can use a favorite song for the writing. Just change the lyrics to fit your Mother's Day recipient. It could be one of your favorite songs or one of your grandkids' favorites. Poems work well, and so do Mother Goose rhymes. Acrostic poems like we did above is always a fun idea. 

Who should receive the writing?

This list is endless--their mother of course, but also a favorite teacher, neighbor, their other grandmother, their great-grandmother, aunts, and school bus drivers. Any sweet lady that comes to their mind. 

You've got time before Mother's Day! I tried to get this blog out in time for Mother's Day. That gives you a couple of weeks to get together with your grands and do some writing as well as some art work to embellish that writing. I think I've even given you time for a book.

Whatever you do, HAVE FUN! That's really what it's all about. 

Until next week!