Friday, May 02, 2008

May Day!

Here's how we celebrated May Day this year:

Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn to run around all over town in my pj's delivering flowers, I decided to deliver some to my neighbors and let the little ladies help. I only have six or seven houses left to complete our entire neighborhood which was my goal by this summer. (Read more here, here, here and here.)

We started our day with flower shaped cinnamon rolls on the porch:


Place one can of cinnamon rolls in this bread tube and bake for almost an hour. I know that sounds like a long time, but trust me, they'll be doughy until then!

I brought the girls little table out - used a topper made out of a sheet, some flower shaped plates and my Mom found these flower wreath/crowns on Target clearance! Perfect for May Day! See my thrifted ice ring!? I floated roses and ivy from our yard in it and put another vase in the center filled with more greens and roses.

May Flowers ready to deliver! We potted these together on Wednesday. Recycled tin cans make great and free containers! Two six packs of flowers cost me about $3 - I made the ribbons from fabric scraps and the tags from some paper in my swap box! (Thanks, Angie!)

Emily models her wreath of flowers!

Samuel was happy hanging out nearby in his bouncy seat!

Rachel says, "cheese!"

Next, we ventured out in our neighborhood. Rachel rode in the wagon, Samuel in the Snugli and Emily and I walked along! Everyone did very well! I let the girls take turns delivering flowers to the porch of each house!

Emily and I talked about how this would make our neighbors smile when they opened their doors and saw some flowers that were a surprise! We talked about spreading kindness!

Rachel has fun with the deliveries too!

When we returned home, we had flower shaped cheese and a few crackers for a snack. We planted some flower seeds in front of the girls bedroom window and then started to work on lunch.

I had baked a loaf of french bread in the bread tube the night before (note: split loaf in half and bake each half at a time or it will overflow!) I sliced the bread and spread tomato sauce and sprinkled some cheese on top. Slip these under the broiler for just a few minutes to make mini pizzas.
I served the pizza with fresh-picked strawberries! We ate out on the porch again!

For dessert, we had May Cupcakes. I got the idea from this book, but adapted it. Here is how to make the May Cupcakes if you're interested:

Cut several pieces of ribbon the same length - space out around a small piece of tape:

Stick the tape into the bottom of a glass or other custard sized dish:
Frost cupcake and place in custard dish. Insert a short metal skewer (I think these are for lacing up a turkey? Am I way out there on this? Obviously I don't use mine for that - I use mine to test cakes and brownies for done-ness.)

Tie and/or loop ribbons through top to make a May Pole:

For dinner, we just cleaned out leftovers, but had flower shaped break left from making the pizzas and these flower shaped brownies. Just bake a pan of brownies and use the bread tube to cut out the flower shapes. Place one M&M in the center!

Do any of you celebrate May Day? Or, have you ever received May flowers? I'd love to hear your ideas and experiences!

30 comments:

Wendi said...

I have never celebrated May Day in the States, but did while living in Germany. There was a May Day Pole located in the town I lived it. It was a neat experience!

Anonymous said...

I have never celebrated May day, but I think this is a sweet way to reach out to the community as well as showing your chidlren about kindness. Looks like you made it a special day all around for you and your family. The girls looks so sweet with their flower crowns.

Zaankali said...

I want to live at your house. It looks like you all have a lot of fun! I have a friend that used to surprise me every mayday with flowers hung on my doorknob. She has moved away and I miss her dearly and her flowers.
Smiles!

Zegi said...

Nope, never celebrated it...but you went all out! The kids must have been totally thrilled. What a nice way to kick off the summer.

Anonymous said...

Oh how darling! What a fun and memorable celebration with a lesson of spreading kindness mixed in! You think of every detail and I know your children will have wonderful memories! (They will probably think every family does these things and will be surprised when they find out that is not the case.)

As for May Day flowers, the only ones I ever remember getting were from you! I think one year we hung flowers on the doorknobs of a couple of our neighbors when you were little -- probably in folded cone papers and filled with dandelions!

Thanks for sharing -- love, Mom

*carrie* said...

Monica,

Loved seeing all these sweet pix. The one of breakfast on the porch looks professional!

In his weekly e-mail to the church, our pastor mentioned that May Day actually had pagan roots, so he encouraged us to "redeem the day" by doing acts of kindness in the name of Christ.

Holly C. said...

Wow! Everything looks so pretty and yummy! You are making your kids wonderful memories full of good food and fun times. Good for you!

~katie~ said...

I'm sure your neighbors were very thankful for your sweet gesture and creativity yesterday!! :-) All the pictures and the story to go with are very lovely ~ and I'm sure your little ones will cherish how special you made this memory/tradition for them. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us! (Wouldn't it be neat if your neighbors read your blog??? They would soon realize what a rare treasure they have living in their neighborhood!) :-) You are the kind of neighbor I think everyone would love to have ~ and I know your kindness stems from the grace of our Lord. Wonderful Monica!! You are an inspiration! I love your goals to meet/bless your neighbors. Has me thinking...

Liisa said...

Such lovely ideas! You continue to be such an inspiration to me!

Blessings,
Liisa

Katy said...

I absolutely LOVE how you make all special days.."special"! What fun things you did with the girls! You are making such wonderful memories for them! :) And the flowers...sooo sweet!!! :) what a wonderful idea! :)

Sheri said...

What a beautiful May Day celebration! I am going to keep your ideas in mind for next year... Actually May 1st is a VERY important day in our family because it's our oldest daughter's birthday. We spend the entire day celebrating her of course!

That Crazy Ajumma said...

Aww,what a sweet way to spend the first of May!
I have never ever celebrated May Day and now I wish I had.Your daughters will cherish these times when they have grown.

Julie said...

My aunt has always celebrated May Day (it's also her birthday) and she has passed the tradition on down to me... and now her great nieces and nephews! She has fond memories of leaving flowers on neighbors' doors! It's so nice to see you celebrating with your family... I don't think many people even know what it is.

~Babychaser~ said...

You are sooo creative! I've never given a second thought to May Day... but you can be sure we'll be doing something fun for it next year!!!

Amy said...

I am definitely bookmarking your ideas for next year. We have never celebrated May Dayand the weather was yucky for us yesterday.

I would have never thought to do the cinnamon rolls in the bread tube- how creative. You are such a sweet mommy and a fabulous neighbor :)

Stacy @ The Next-to-Nothing House said...

I just discovered your blog recently and I love it. You have such lovely ideas and they keep me coming back everyday. Please come be my neighbor!

Anonymous said...

Your children are so cute. I have to comment about their names. We are adopting an infant and if it's a boy we will name him Samuel, our first choice for a girl was a Rachel, but it doesn't go well with our last name so we will name her Sara. God Bless!

Anonymous said...

Oh Monica: How precious! I've always had the good intentions of celebrating May Day by leaving flowers at my neighbor's doors, but have never gotten it done!
I admire you for how you not only think of these neat things to do, but you get them done!! Good for you! I'm so proud of you.
The girls look adorable in their little flower crowns & pretty dresses & Smauel looks like he is taking it all in stride. (Or I should say in his seat!!)By the way, I think he looks like Emily!!
What fun memories & great lessons for your children. Keep up the good work, Honey.

I love you, Grandma

Anonymous said...

Great ideas for May day! You are so sweet to your neighbors, friends, and family!
I wanted to let you know that I am hosting my first giveaway over at my blog! It is to celebrate Mother's Day! Stop by and tell me why you are happy to be a mother and you could win an awesome devotional book, a journal and a cooking with kids CD-Rom.
Enjoy your weekend with your family!
SchoolinRhome
Here is the giveaway link:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SchoolinRhome/525838/

Anonymous said...

I love how you celebrate May Day! No one does this anymore! I can barely remember delivering May baskets as a small girl and being scared to death that the neighbor boy was going to catch me and kiss me!!! I am sorry to say I haven't carried on the tradition with my own kids. Maybe next year!

Kristina

Melissa said...

You are so creative. I love how you make holidays so special. Your family is so blessed to have you.

Tammy said...

I love it! I love how you show step by step how to do whatever you are trying to teach or show us! Thank you for your time in doing so.

Anonymous said...

You are such a great Mommy! What precious memories your children will have from all the great things you do with them.

Renee said...

I love reading your blog. What an amazing person you are. Such wonderful ideas and such special days at your home. You are an inspiration! You children are blessed to have you as their mommy. Happy May! Renee

Tori Leslie said...

What a great blog you have. I'm so glad I found you. I'll be back to read more.

BTW, your kids are so cute!

Julieann said...

Loved this post--Happy May Day to you!!! Your blog is just darling!

Julieann

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful idea. And what a way to teach your girls about giving.

debi said...

I have been reading you old posts and enjoying every minute. What a kind hearted and sweet spirited women you are. What a blessing. I realize only now just how far from the mark I have gotten to.Thank you for the reminder of who I am and to whom I belong. I think I will wrok my way through your entire blog. I feel peaceful already. God Bless.

debi said...

The last time I knew of anyone celebrating May Day was 30 years ago and it was my daughter and I. My mother and I always left flowers hanging on all the neighbors doorknobs back in the 50's. Oh my, am I that old?

Jen said...

I was inspired by this post and decided to make little flower pot gifts for my neighbors to welcome summer and to welcome the newest neighbors to the neighborhood. Thanks for inspiring me! My kids and I will be delivering them today on our walk!