How do I thank my mom???

She is driving 5-hrs from KS to come stay with my boys for 2 days while DH & I getaway for the weekend to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary! I have 2 sisters who live within 30mins of my mom and she does on-the-spot babysitting for them all of the time and this is the first time she's ever done anything like this for us. We are a military family and lived in AR before moving to TX. I don't want to offend my mom and do nothing but don't think I should do something over the top either as theses are her grandchildren after all. So what do I do? Is a thank you card enough?

I'm not quite sure but just wanted to add my DH and I are celebrating 11 years this weekend (Saturday the 8th)!! Happy Anniversary to us both!!!

They may be her grandchildren, but it is a big deal for her to drive out to do this for you. So make sure you leave her food that she doesn't have to slave over for the kids, leave her treats you know she loves for herself once she gets them in bed. Make it easy on her while she's there (so she'll want to come back and do it again!).

Then maybe send her some flowers later if she likes that sort of thing.

I totally agree with Darcy. Love all your ideas Darcy!

My mom lives 20 minutes from us and is there anytime I need her and she loves being with her grandsons but I still try to go a little overboard for her on her bday, mother's day and christmas because of all she does for us.

Oh and Happy Anniversary!

Congrats on 10 years!

yah I'd make sure the fridge is stocked with food for the boys and her..maybe get a couple movies you think she might enjoy for nighttime..and send her home with a thank you card and maybe a gift card for a nice dinner out with her SO if she has one...

Congrats on your anniversary..I have one coming up soon too woot!

The meals are ALL planned and they are all easy and I am prepping all of them so all she has to do is warm them in the microwave. I am getting a pizza from Papa Murphy's too so all she has to do is throw that in the oven. I was going to bake some chocolate chip cookies and I am getting her some Jr Mints (her fav candy) and Dr Pepper. Cleaning my house today as well (even though knowing mom she will clean it again, that is just how she is)!

She has to take the boys to an early soccer game on Sat morning, that is the only HAVE to she has to do this weekend! I am renting a movie for the boys later today and I know there are a ton of movies that we own she has never seen so she should be all set for the evenings.

Thanks for the suggestions thus far!

Happy Anniversary & Congrats on 10 years!!!

That's so awesome that she is coming all that way to watch them!! I sent my parents a Thank You boquet of cookies. I got them FROM HERE and because what was going on at the time was music related I send them THIS ONE.

What Darcy said is exactly what I'd do. I'd make sure the house was super clean, because if she's like most moms, she'd feel compelled to clean LOL!

I almost always use flowers as thank yous, because I LOVE getting flowers, and I assume everyone else does too LOL

if she doesn't have to hurry back, and you have the time before you have to get back to your "normal" routine, maybe do something with her to thank her - go out for dinner, go shopping together (my Mom and I window shopped. lol), go to a tourist attraction if you have any nearby ...

My Mom drove 10 hours to come watch my boys in 2006 when I had my thyroid surgery, having never been here before. We made sure to have her favorite coffee and alcoholic beverage of choice in the house (for after the kids went to bed of course!), and the type of meals I know she would cook at home. My surgery ended up being postponed the day of the surgery, for a week, so my Mom's stay ended up being extended. During the wait, we did all sorts of fun touristy stuff with the boys and my brother when he came out to visit.

I also made sure to fill her gas tank on her car before she headed back, since she paid to drive out here.

Happy Anniversary to you!!

happy anniversary to you!! Maybe you could make a special digi gift for her to take home with her? Do a layout and have it framed with one of the 12x12 frames from the craft store or a small brag book and include a gift card for her to do something nice for herself in the brag book like a manicure or massage because she is coming a long way for this something not to over the top but still letting her know how much you appreciate it

I got my mom a $25 gift card to Applebee's with a thank you card and left it in her suitcase so she found it when she got home! She was so surprised! Thanks again for the advice! DH & I had a blast on our getaway weekend!!!:thumbup:

sounds like the ladies have the suggestions covered, but i just wanted to say...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Happy anniversary girl!!

As for your question, I like Sonja's idea. Maybe once you get back if she doesn't have to hurry back, you and she could have a mom and daughter day where you do lunch, shop, just something that you and she can do together.

Umm...ok I was late reading this. Sounds like you did good for your mom!! =)