Let's Get Real About Mother's Day

 This guide is generously brought to you by Let Mommy Sleep.  LMS offers overnight infant care from licensed and registered nurses.  Not a bad gift idea!

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Hello Moms.

I know this site is typically for you, but I'd like you to pass the computer to your significant other for a moment.

Hello Dads/Boyfriends/Grandparents standing in/Life Partners(it's 2012, I get it),

Let's have a chat about Mother's Day, shall we? See, the thing is that on Father's Day, you guys get to lounge around, skip church, go golfing and generally have a day of peace and tranquility capped by steaks on the grill.

Somehow, on Mother's Day, we seem to be awakened by being jumped on at 5am and force-fed soggy Cheerios while you smirk at us from behind our children.  We bought you a new Weber Grill last Father's day, and you helped the kids color us a picture? Really?

[Sidebar: We love our children and their adorable artwork, and always cherish it, but that doesn't mean you can't step up your game.]

So, this year, let me help you out a little.  There's some great ways to celebrate your mom in and around Prince William County.


Step 1- Breakfast.  NO SOGGY CEREAL.  If you're going to let the kids make breakfast, then the food should not be any of the following: Burned toast, burned Eggo Waffles, burned pop tarts, untoasted pop tarts, cereal that has been "marinating" in milk for more than 20 minutes while you burned the toast, cold eggs.  If that sounds like more involvement at 5am then you're willing to take on, why not help the kids make a reservation instead?

This is a no, unless you know it's her favorite.

*Bistro L'Hermitage, reservations required in advance, will be serving a special meal from 11am-7pm. 


*Bristow Manor Golf Club, reservations required by May 5th.


*City Square Cafe, Manassas
They'll be hosting their Mother's Day Brunch again this year.  Check their website for menu and pricing.


*Madigan's Waterfront will serve brunch from 9:30am-3pm, adults $21.95, kids 5-10 $8.95, 4 and under free.  Reservations highly recommended.


*Osprey Landing at Belmont Bay will host a Mother's Day Brunch.  Reservations necessary. 10am-3pm, $25 adults, $15 children 6-12, ages 5 and under free.  Each mom receives a rose.


*Pane E Vino, Lorton
Brunch also includes a mimosa for each adult.  Drive home and let mommy dearest have yours, too.


*Potomac Point Winery, Stafford
Mother's Day Brunch where the only "whine" is coming from a glass.  Winning. 


*Stonewall Golf Club will have brunch with seatings at 11am and 2:30pm, adults $29.95 and children 6-12 $14.




Step 2- Do Something Fun.  If your wife/girlfriend is of the Stay at Home variety, she's probably been to the local playground enough this week.  Let's try something new, shall we?

*All Prince William Historic Sites will give a complimentary tour to mothers who visit on Mother's Day Weekend.  Don't judge- some of us like history. Children under 6 are also free, everyone else is $5/pp.

*Take a river boat tour! Captain Mark at Miss River Shore Charters has offered our PwcMoms a discount of 50% (for moms only, additional riders at full price).  One hour tours run from 12-8pm and are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, and kids under 4 are free! You can buy food and drinks on board, or you can bring your own.  (A picnic from Dixie Bones might be an excellent idea.)

* The Manassas Museum will have free admission for all mothers, with children under 6 also free, on Mother's Day Sunday.


*Leesylvania State Park will host an 1860's Mother's Day Tea.  $6 per person, registration by May 12th required, space is limited, so reserve early! Don't forget your hat and gloves. 

*Just Between Friends will have special prize drawings for moms who choose to shop on Mother's Day.  You know she likes to shop anyway!  

*When's the last time you got family photos done? Schedule a shoot with Keys Photography and enjoy having some fun and capturing memories.  They're running a special for Mother's Day, too!  Want to make it even more special?

Step 3- Presents.  They don't have to be expensive, but we know if you threw a Strawberry Shortcake coloring book page at the kiddo 2 seconds before they gave it to us.  Hint number one- they colored it in the pencil from your toolbench because you didn't have time to find the crayons. Homemade and low-cost can still be thoughtful and well-done.  

*Michaels Arts and Crafts will host several Mother's Day activities that you can take your child to so they can custom-make something special and low-cost.  Most of the options involve buying the main item (like a coffee mug or apron) and Michael's providing the decorating supplies and embellishments. 

 *Cox Farms is also offering a free mother's day gift! On Saturday, May 12th from 11am-2pm your 2-10 year old can get a free plant and decorate a pot for mommy! No pre-registration is required, just show up. This is at their Centreville Market location, which is probably most convenient to Manassas families.

 Got a little more cash (and a little better planning)? Check out the following:

*Paint Your Heart Out in Occoquan will let you decorate and fire keepsakes from your little one.  Keep in mind there is a turnaround period because the pieces have to cure before they're fired. 

*Touch of Gold in Occoquan offers some great options in all price ranges.  One great idea? Start a Troll Bracelet for mommy, and then you can pick her up a bead for each subsequent mother's day.  Takes all the guess work out of what to get her! Just in time for Mother's Day, if you buy an upgraded clasp, you get the sterling silver bracelet for free!! Trollbeads rings are 50% off and Kameleon Jewelpops are buy 2 get 1 free.  They'll also have 20% off pearls and 50% off selected already reduced sale items

At Touch of Gold, you can start your bracelet with just one or two pieces.  Ask for stoppers if she doesn't like to jingle.

*Polka Dot Divas (also Occoquan) has some awesome choices. An initial coffee mug filled with her favorite blend or tea, a fun photo display for the wall or fridge with some great shots of her and the kids? Magic.

*Need flowers? I highly recommend Michael's Florist in Lake Ridge.  They do really quality work and also have a lovely storefront. (703) 590-3200. 


*Lake Ridge Nursery has some adorable items in their store as well as goregous flowers for the front yard.  A little elbow-grease getting the front yard looking fantastic isn't a bad present, and a new rose bush or flowering tree will be a sweet reminder all year long.


*Wegmans Stores nationwide will have decorate a cake for mom.  Prices and times vary by store.


*Statements the Salon and Statements on the Water are offering a special Mother's Day promotion on gift certificates.  Purchase a $100 gift card and get a $10 gift certificate, purchase $250 get $35, or purchase $500 get $150. 


*Order now to get great items from our past giveaway sponsors!! Click on the link in the top menu that says "Business Reviews" for great consultants in everything from jewelry to handbags to home goods!

Hopefully these ideas will help you make the mom in your life feel like the rockstar we know she is!! Being a mom is hard, and she deserves a day to feel like royalty! Have another great idea? Email it to us, we'd be happy to add you to our list!