My dear sweet daughter is turning 30 in a month and I'm at a loss for a special gift. She has 3 kids under 4, teaches piano lessons, has a great husband and really doesn't need a thing. (Who does though? ) I wish I could come up with something really creative as opposed to a store bought gift. I thougth of the coupon booklet but shoot...I'm always babysitting, helping her clean, etc. so that won't work. If you have any ideas, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks!!!!!!

Massage, mani, pedi?

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

The next time you have all 3 kids at once take them to the park or somewhere scenic and snap some pics. Have the best pic done on canvas. As a Mom I would LOVE that!! Since you and your DD are close, i suggest a sweet card telling her everything you're proud of her for. I'm sure she knows it already, but it'll be nice to have in writing to refer to on those endless days of motherhood.

HTH,
Selena

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God is not Santa Claus

The photo idea as a surprise is great! Either the canvas, or a series of several shots framed that she can display together.

dl

I love this idea. We all have "professional" pictures done of our kids, but a candid shot like that would be very special to her

I love the picture idea, but another thought might be a mini mom/daughter trip. Maybe her husband could watch the kids and you could drive somewhere kind of close (maybe if there is a cool place 2 hours or so away?), rent a hotel room, and just hang out - do a little shopping, have a beverage (if you indulge), dinner, sleep late, then head home.

My mom and I drove to visit my grandparents (1100 miles away) about 8 years ago and it was such a fun trip for me - just getting to spend that time with her. It's something we will both always remember. For my birthday In November (my 40th , my mom is giving me a mini boot camp cooking class at the Culinary Institute. We are going to drive to San Antonio, which is about 5 hours from here, stay in a hotel and visit the River Walk the first night, go to the class the next day, stay that night and enjoy ourselves, then drive home Sunday morning. I'm really looking forward to it! The class will be cool, but I'd be just as happy without it.

Good luck finding something special for your daughter. It sounds like she has a great mom!!!

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Kim

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. Your ideas were all very good! I'm still thinking...perhaps the mommy/daughter trip if i can think of something in my limited budget? She takes sooooo many photos and I'm not good at that but that was a wonderful idea for others to read.
I have to tell you what my younger daughter did for me the year after my sweet hubby died. She wanted to make it special and she did. She told me to get in the car and gave me a package and a note telling me exactly how far to drive, where to turn. etc.( I really had to study the odometer so she told me to take a friend). It took me to a pastry shop where my favorite pastry was purchased and waiting for me. (I had to tell the clerk "IT's my birthday.:" Then the clerk gave me another note, agaim with specific directions that took me to a bead shop. Same thing. It's my birthday and she handed me a gift certificate to pick out some beads for a necklace along with another note. THere were about 5 places and each one was so special. Before I left home, the package I had to open when I got to one of the places. IT was a loaf of bread to feed the ducks at a pond that held special significance to us. Then again there was a note continuing me on the journey. It was the most special, fun thoughtful gift I had ever received!!! So maybe that will give you some ideas. My kids always come up with the greatest ideas and that's why i wanted something really special to bless my daughter. Anyway, sorry this is so long but just wanted to share an idea!

That's a wonderful story. I'm glad you shared.

Lyn1 thanks so much for sharing, it is a wonderful story, I know the feeling I have been blessed with 2 wonderful dd's as well. Love the idea of spending the day together. Me and my dd's do this a lot from having our nails done ,to shopping, to going out to eat. However honestly just being with my girls means the world to me...Have fun with the best of healthy and happy wishes.....peace....Catherine

That is unbelievably cool. Thank you for sharing! Let us know what you decide to do.

From the trip perspective, it's not really about the destination - it's more about the memories and the time spent together.

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Kim