Happy (Belated) Mother's Day!!

Back in the day...  We used to choreograph dances
for my mom's gifts.  Little did she know...we had
costumes on under those nightgowns!

This Mother's Day I was a whopping 3,000 miles away from my mother.  It's too bad because she is amazing.  I spoke with her on the phone and she spent her Mother's Day in the garden, one of her favorite things to do.  If you are ever driving through Western New York you MUST take a side trip up the great big hill to my parent's house and see her garden, it is quite spectacular.

Me and Grandma McCullough (Mom's mom)

My mom was an amazing, amazing mother. She did all the things a good mother should do and then some.  However, I have seen my mother slip into a new role, one that has taken all of her amazing-ness and multiplied it by about a million.  She's a grandmother.  She has four stinkin' adorable grandkids and in the time she has been a grandmother she has shown these kids unconditional love like no other.  My nephew Josh loves French, the kids are all decked out in the most amazing knit clothing you have ever seen, and it's no secret why they all know how to toast with a martini glass (no need to be alarmed...she fills the glasses with juice.)

Me and Grandma Howe (Dad's mom)

I was blessed with two wonderful grandmothers.  My dad's mom, "Mamie," is a living legend among the family.  She is 90 years old, 91 this August, and that woman can still get down on the dance floor.  My mom's mom, Blanche, has made me the most beautiful quilt collection imaginable.  I only hope to have talent like that some day. I don't know anyone else who has a "Garden quilt" they take out when they sit in the park or go to the beach. I have one and it is well loved!

So in honor of Mother's Day, and yes...it is a little late, I am sharing two grandmother books with you!

Abuela, written by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Elisa Kleven, tells of the adventures of a little girl and her Abuela, abuela is Spanish for grandmother.  As she and her grandmother walk throughout the city we get a glimpse into their special relationship.  The illustrations are a patchwork of brightly colored images that remind me of my own grandmother's quilts.  As the girl and her grandmother walk through gardens they take off in the girl's imagination and fly through the city.  They speak mostly Spanish together but the story is told from the girl's perspective, in English. Abuela reminds me a lot of Tar Beach by Faith Ringold.  This is a beautiful book to share with your own grandmother.

 

An illustration from Abuela

My Nana and Me by Irene Smalls is a book I've been carrying around for awhile.  In this book a little girl spends the day with her Nana.  They have a tea party, dance around, play hide-and-seek...y'know, stuff you do with your grandmother.  The words and illustrations seem to dance along with the story.  The water-based paints Johnson uses also give the story a magical touch.  At the end, everybody gets tucked in and rests after a long day.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day.  Whether you are a grandmother, a mom of grown-up kids like my mom, a brand new mom, or someone who is like a mom to someone...thanks for all you do!