Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. Mothers provide life, love, food and laughter. They give hugs, they read bedtime stories, they tie shoes, blow noses and help their children do their homework. They put Band-Aids on scrapes, kiss away the pain and walk the talk about right and wrong.

Once a year, a day is set aside to honor these superheroes of the family; traditions are created and mom gets to enjoy being put on a pedestal.

Pre-school kids want to be a part of the celebration and, often with the help of another adult, begin to think about what they could do for their moms.

At Little Bear and Aspen Grove pre-schools in Nederland, three, four and five year olds shared what they love about their mothers and how their moms show their love.

Silas Fitzer, 5.

“On Mother’s Day, I think I will do stuff for mama, maybe bring her a nice, purple flower.”

“What I like about her is her long, curly hair and I like to touch it. She brushes it by herself. She watches us when we watch something.

“I like to hang out with her and talk about doing stuff at school, and we both like the swing set. The best thing she cooks is mac and cheese and then at night she sings me Lullaby Baby.

“When it is Mother’s Day I want to buy a rainbow colored dress that goes all the way to her feet and I think I want to help her work all the work she does, like on the computer.”

Claire Hambourger, 5.

“On Sunday, it will be the day to be nice to mom and we are going on a trip to a hotel where they have hot springs. That’s her favorite thing. I like it when I can go to the store with her. She always lets me buy one toy.”

“My mom has long brown hair and green eyes and is really tall, like five feet. She cooks good mashed potatoes with a little oil in it. I want to get her a ring for Mother’s Day. She hugs me at night and that feels good.”

Alan Greentree, 5.

“Mothers get to have a day because they might like it, and my mom likes whatever I do for her, but I don’t know what I am doing.

“Actually, I want to make her breakfast in bed with pancakes. Actually my dad will probably help me. When I am 10, I will make eggs for her.

“The best thing about my mom is that I love her a lot. I don’t know how much that it is, but it is a lot. She likes to wear whatever she wants, but she wears warm stuff when it is cold outside. My favorite thing is to snuggle with her and she is special because she likes me.”

Keegan Kafka, 4.

“What is best about my mom is that she lets me into the ballet. I want to cook her breakfast with pancakes, bacon, eggs all scrambled up and orange juice.

“We like to go shopping for clothes. When she wants to have fun, she dances for fun, not for exercise. I love her a lot because we always laugh.”

Kinley Coil, 4.

“On Mother’s Day, we are going to go to the hot springs at a pool because she loves that. I like what my mom cooks for me and my dad. She works in Boulder and is beautiful, but doesn’t wear a dress or lipstick, just shorts and boots. When we go downtown today, I am going to say, I love you, mommy.”

Brisbane, 5, and Quinn, 3, Gates.

“A Mother’s Day is when I bring mom to school and have a really good time with her. I like to swim with her too. My mom always cooks dinner for us and is really good at rice and soy sauce.

“For Mother’s Day, I will make her breakfast in bed and do whatever she wants and buy a soap at this cool shop. My favorite thing to do with her is hang out on the couch. I’m not exactly sure how old she is, but it’s probably around 20. If I had lots of money I would give her her own electric computer.”

Brooke,5, and Logan, 3, Highlands.

“Mother’s Day is to celebrate your mother about all the fun stuff and nice stuff. I want to get her a butterfly necklace I found at Target. Also my mom says she wants a special vacuum cleaner for the dog poop in the backyard.

“Her favorite thing to do is to have fun with Logan and me and every day she does it. I like to sleep with her on her bed in the morning. She loves to jump on Logan’s trampoline.”

Bruce Cooksey, 3.

“Mother’s Day always happens at this time and it’s the kind of day you give her presents. My mom is big and I am big too. She had a baby in her belly and he came out in April. His name is Logan and I love my brother. I just want to hug my mom and be a good big brother.”