So I got this e-mail and just had to pass it along. Check out this link for lots of FREE stuff for moms this weekend (my favorite: Redbox). FYI, the TCBY in Scottsdale is participating. They also sent me an e-mail.
 
Happy Mother’s Day!

It’s almost here. A day just for moms! Well, almost.
My kids like Mother’s Day because of a tradition that began, what, five years ago? And now, it includes our extended family.
The year it began, I was sick with a cold (hmmm… much like I am now!). My husband asked what I wanted to do that Sunday morning and all I could muster was, “Please go get me In-N-Out Burger.”
Thus, a tradition began. We started inviting my husband’s family shortly after that.
Earlier this week, as I discussed weekend plans with my …

While my 9-year-old son was getting help with math (from our favorite friend and tutor), I got the chance to spend an hour with my two girls.
What a conversation.
My 7-year-old started with “We had J.A. (Junior Achievement) today. I’m going to be a nurse.”
Apparently that was the card she picked during a game the volunteer played with them.
Always ready to latch onto any conversation that includes discussion about future careers and how to get them, I informed my little girl that two of her grandmothers are nurses, and so is …

Do you ever feel this way, moms? That change is ever present? I’ve really felt it recently. Sometimes I wish it would stop!
I first glimpsed it on Sunday – tiny buds of green on the formerly barren trees around our park. Today, they’re full leaves.
A sign of a new season. Change.
There’s been lots of change around our lives in the past few months: many families – and friends – have moved away, two friends soon to welcome babies, one sport dropped and another began. As much as we want things …

Moms, if you need a break — and a massage — here’s your chance.
The next Mom’s Nite Out event is coming Wednesday. The event is hosted and organized by Choosing Love blogger (and EV Mom Bloggers Connect contributor) Wendy Wright.
Every mom who attends the event will receive a free chair massage at Mom’s Nite Out courtesy of BackFit Chiropractic & Rehab. Moms will also get a goodie bag of giveaways, learn more about local vendors and get a chance to chat with other moms. Food and drink available for purchase, …

Welcome 2012!
In 2011, my kids were busy and growing. They continued gymnastics, played another year of soccer and football and moved up a grade at their school.
Oh, the baby added walking.
I’m hoping the big kids take a step into the unknown themselves this year. My daughter already decided to try tennis. Last fall, my son went ice skating for the first time.
I bought Spanish tapes last summer, but we haven’t tried them. Maybe this year?

Sometimes, life catches up with you.
That’s been very true the last few weeks. So this is me, apologizing, for being silent on the blog.
Do you blog? Do you find you have dozens of ideas about what to write, but sometimes fail to get them down? Or do you start to write and then think, “Why would anyone care about this?”
Or do you actually write it, only to have your computer eat it?
Maybe it’s just blog burnout?
I think I’ve had a bit of all of that the last few weeks, not …

Growing up, I remember clearly two family members calling me Shelley: My grandparents. My mom would use the name sometimes; apparently often enough that my future husband adopted it.
In turn, his family adopted that name as well. Not so often in speaking directly to me, but in referring to me: “Shelley said we’re doing dinner at 6.” or “Shelley asked me to pick up the kids.”
Or my favorite, “Aunt Shell, can you pick me up from school?” (I’m ALWAYS Aunt Shell.”)
Friends, too, have adopted different names for me. My best …

My daughter suddenly burst into tears this morning on the drive to school, “What if I’m on the naughty list?”
At first, I had no idea what had prompted that. Then I remembered: I pulled the “Santa card” out last night.
I somewhat remember saying to the kids, “You better not complain about homework. Santa might be watching.”
Yup. I’m guilty.
But since we’re on the topic, I received an e-mail about a new website with mobile apps that all revolve around the big guy in the red suit. I’ve taken a peek at …

(Note: I wrote this last night with intention to get it posted to stay up-to-date with my month of “thankful” posts. Life happens! So here it is.)
I’m writing this sitting in my car outside a small schoolhouse. Inside, my son is meeting with a sweet teacher who is helping him grasp multiplication facts and writing; my daughter is sitting with two other students and another wonderful lady as they work on reading. Today, I received notes from both my children’s school teachers about how they’re doing.
I’m so thankful for teachers …