Confession time, I am not going to win any awards for being the world’s greatest school Mom. Honestly, most days I feel proud to get lunches packed before the bus, so all the extra… the school events, the volunteer opportunities, all the teacher appreciation stuff. I try, guys, I TRY, because I really do appreciate our teachers SO MUCH, but like I said, not winning any participation awards over here.

By the end of the school year, I look back over all the time’s I haven’t quite measured up to school event status, and decide I need to try and redeem myself with a decent end of the school year thank you to our wonderful teachers. Hence, here we are again. This year we are making garden baskets for our teachers. I love to have a gift that the kids can participate in, and planting veggies is definitely a kid friendly activity.

We headed to the hardware store where I let Isla help me pick out some easy to grow vegetables. With simple terracotta pots, a bit of potting soil, and some fresh spring greens, we put together Spring ‘baskets’ that will be giving back all Spring long.

For plant identifiers I used some festive paper straws I had left over from a party, gluing strips of paper with name tags on the flags.

After everything was potted, I wrapped my terracotta pots (Lowes has some FAB ones right now for $4 with sleek modern lines) with a simple ribbon.

Such a simple and fun way to spread love around. I added marigold flowers to mix of veggies, because marigolds are often planted in vegetable gardens to ward off bugs (the smell, similar to a skunk but much more forgiving, is thought to be the reason). I also cheated a bit because I was hoping to have some beets and carrots maturely bursting from the soil, so I grabbed a few from the supermarket and plopped them in the dirt instead of patiently waiting for them to grow from seeds. IF you do such a thing, ‘plant’ them right before you deliver the gift, and then let the receiver know that those particular varieties are ready for harvest immediately, and advice them to pull them up and refrigerate as soon as possible ;)

Such a fun and simple gift idea to do with my kids! These baskets would also make an equally perfect Mother’s Day gift or welcome to the neighborhood gift to a family who has just moved in!

Happy HAPPY Spring to you all!! It’s been long in coming this year, and I for one am soaking up all the vitamin D this season has to offer!

Cheers!!

Jodi