Ssshhh...don't tell Grandma Polly. We decided this year that she might especially appreciate a kids-made gift for her birthday. I know grandmas generally like grandkid made items at any time. This year, with her newly moved further away from the grandkids, though, I thought she might especially appreciate a daily reminder of the kids.

We headed off to Color Me Mine at the mall over the weekend to get something started. Color Me Mine is a franchise where you pick out a pottery item to self-decorate. They provide the paints and the glazing while you provide the creativity for your design. Oh, and they also provide the clean-up from all the painting mess. That is something the parents generally appreciate! I was able to talk Christopher into making a coffee mug -- he understands the value to most grown-ups of a coffee mug and the importance of coffee in our lives). I couldn't talk Cate into making a plate, bowl, or cup -- she was insistent that Grandma needed a jewelry box. Ah well. I'm sure it will be loved. And I've learned that it is virtually impossible to talk Cate out of something once her mind is made up.