Ever been so happy about your child's accomplishment that you feel the need to run out and purchase a gift?

That was me last week.

My daughter, a second-grader, was named student of the month for March at her school.

She's been glowing since her teacher placed her photograph on the board reserved for children given this honor.

And I believe it was the boost she needed to stay focused for the remainder of the school year.

All Lauren has been talking about is spring break. She's excited about having extra time to ride her bike, play outside with friends, and, of course, sleep in a little.

So my first instinct was to buy her this awesome mountain bike she's been begging for. Then, the thought of a new CD player came to mind since her old one has seen its better days. Or could it be that fabulous CD she's been raving about?

The CD seemed practical. But the lyrics to young entertainer Hoku's "Find Another Dumb Blonde" single kept repeating over and over again in my head.

"It's not me, no, no," as my daughter recreates Hoku's music video and shakes her finger in my face, and, well, the rest of her body, too.

No way, I decided. I'm sure it's a fine pick; after all, it was the theme song for Nickelodeon's first movie, "Snow Day." But the lyrics leave something to be desired.

My next choice was to take her to see the "My Dog Skip" movie, until I remembered Lauren had made weekend plans with her grandmother.

How about a new pet? Nah! She already has some. Buttercup is the hamster's name. He -- or is it she? -- waits to run on its exercise wheel until I am ready to fall asleep. And on more than one occasion the ungrateful little rodent has tried to escape its luxurious penthouse setting. Snuggles, a 3-month-old black and white kitty, is adorable. Her only fault is she likes to lick my feet when I'm sleeping. Next is the aquarium gang: Grunt, the frog who entertains all with its funky looking swimming techniques, and Shamu, Blueface and Shark, the survivors of the tropical fish purchase.

My last consideration was Pokémon cards, and I was determined not to go there again.

So, after all of my pondering I came to my senses.

We opted for an ice cream cone and talked again about how proud I am of her -- not only for her recent achievement, but because she's a great daughter and has become quite a young lady.