A mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.

Splash in every rain puddle possible.

If you make the screeching high pitched scream long enough, Mom will give in.

No scream needed for Dad, just look like you are going to do it.

Ask why often.

You don't have to draw in the lines to be proud of your picture.

Simple things can be fun.

Sometimes all you need is a cardboard box and your imagination.

Say 'I'm sorry' like you mean it.

Don't apologize for being you.

Everyone dances to the beat of their own drum. Sometimes you are the drummer and sometimes you are the drum.

Just dance.

Life is God's Etch-a-Sketch. Every day you get a fresh shake.

It's ok to have a meltdown every now and then.

Roly Polys are magical creatures.

Pizza contains all the food groups.

Pizza doesn't solve all your problems but it can solve a lot of them.

Never stop learning something new.

Get excited!!! About everything!!!!

Be silly and laugh at yourself.

Water tastes better from a garden hose.

Sometimes you just need to eat dessert first.

Don't just do crafts with glitter...Wear the glitter...Be the glitter.

Give BIG hugs. 

If you listen to the rain, you can hear music.

Anything can be an adventure.

Mommy is pretending to sleep.

Daddy is actually asleep.

If you don't like the song playing, make one up.

Always dance.

There is no such thing as too much syrup.

Being on time is overrated. 

If you are gonna make splashes...splash big!

Broken colors can still make the picture pretty.

 I realize that not everyone had a wonderful childhood or loving Mothers. And my heart goes out to you if that is your case.

Mama and I on one of her visits home from Tennessee

My parents in Tennessee

Mama and I on the day she moved back home to Mississippi

1. She's been there and done that.
2. She's seen you at your worst and loves you anyway.
3. She can be your biggest fan.
4. She can, also, knock you down off your pedestal when you get too big for your britches!
5. She is wise. Listen to her.
6. She has the uncanny power of knowing what you have done before you get back home. 
7. She knows when you are lying.
8. She knows how to cook all your favorite foods.
9. She knows exactly how to comfort you when you are down.
10. She prays for your safety and happiness every night.
11. She gets your crazy sense of humor.
12. She will tell you the truth about whether or not your butt looks big in those jeans.
13. She's the reason you survived childhood.
14. She made your house a home growing up.
15. She loved you before you were born.
16. She let you learn from your own mistakes.
17. She taught you how to tie your shoes.
18. She is always ready for a shopping trip or lunch with you.
19. She listens without judgement.
20. She took you to Sunday school every Sunday.
21. She taught you to respect others and yourself. 
22. She showed you how to stand on your own.
23. She taught you to ask for help when you needed it. 
24. She encourages you when you are discouraged. 
25. She laughed at your jokes, even when you repeated it for the 200th time.
26. She fought battles for you that you don't even know.
27. She won most of those battles.
28. She was the first person to ever love you.
29. She pays attention.
30. She got you up and to school for 12 years or more.
31. She taught you resilience. 
32. She was the most important person in your world when growing up.
33. She taught you how to love.
34. She taught you how to be yourself.
35. And she showed you how to be a good Mom.

Yep. You heard me right. It can be anything that can be of use anytime of the year! Also, don't forget, Easter baskets can be and should be for everyone in the family, not just the kids!

Baby bath, small hamper, decorative shelf box, diaper bag, hanging diaper cubby

New toy box, sand pail and shovel, plastic bucket with name painted, small inflatable pool, plastic tool box, toy crate, small indoor ball pit, a pirates ship, a toy grill,  a big dump truck, little red wagon, toy wheel barrow

New toy box, Barbie car, doll house, baby carriage, wooden crate with name painted, caboodle, jewelry box, plastic bucket, inflatable pool or ball pit, little red wagon, toy wheel barrow

Overnight bag, large purse, makeup case, small laundry hamper, large caboodle, wooden crate for books, new backpack

Tool box, tackle box, duffle bag, new backpack, a foot locker, sports gear bag, laundry basket

Tool chest, tackle box, minnow bucket, ice chest (full of crawfish!), ammo lock box, duffel bag, briefcase, hiking backpack, a new charcoal grill, car wash bucket

Picnic basket, makeup bag, beach bag, tool box, decorative box, jewelry armoire, flower window box, a new large decorative flower pot, a decorative serving bowl, chip and dip bowl

So, get creative with those baskets and see their faces light up! And let me know what your absolute favorite thing about Easter is below!