A couple of my favorite “mom bloggers”, Courtney and Julia from The Chirping Moms, are hosting a really fun event this weekend called “Yellow Friday.” You can read all about Yellow Friday here. The event starts today and runs through Sunday. Some of your favorite small businesses are giving discounts this weekend with the yellow Friday coupon code! So read below to find out where to shop! 

SHOP YELLOW FRIDAY at  

The Chirping Moms!

Yellow Friday, Spring Fling edition, has FINALLY arrived! 

All shop deals are revealed below.  In the next few hours, keep an eye on the blog   for follow-up posts  with more information about each shop and details on their deal.  All deals will run through Sunday at midnight. There are LOTS of great deals at fantastic stores.  If you have any questions, feel free to email the chirpingmoms@gmail.com. We are so excited to bring this fun shopping extravaganza to you!
EVERY shop is using the same code:  yellowfriday 
Anne Riggs Designs:  Spend $50 in shop and get a free set of 25 makeup/facial pads AND mesh laundry bag, value $16 

The BBQ Pantry:  20% off 

Baxter & Beatrice:  25% off 

The Beaufort Bonnet Company:  15% off  

Carly Megan:  25% off 

Dolphin Organics:  25% off sunscreen and aloe based lotion 

The Idea Box:  25% off 

LB Originals: 25% off plus gift when you spend over $100 

The Little Crane:  10% off 

London Times:  30% off 

Love Bubs:  20% off 

Messy Kids Designs: Buy One Shirt, Get Another One 50% off 

Mis-Tee-V-US:  25% off 

Miss Monogram:  15% off and Free Bow when you spend over $100 

Missy Madewell:  25% off 

Olivia and Owen:  20% off 

Posh Princess Bowtique:  20% off 

The Recycled Bin:  “Spend More, Save More” deal…see detailed post for more info! 

Refined Inspirations:  20% off 

Ruffles and Twirls:  20% off 

Sila Boutique:  15% off 

Simply (Darr)ling:  20% off 

Smock Your Tot Website or Etsy Shop or Facebook:  20% off 

Snapping Turtle Kids:  30% off 

Starlight Woods:  15% off 

Owl Be Sweatin:  15% off 

Wild Sprout Design:  20% off
Again, EVERY shop’s coupon code:  yellowfriday.
Thank you for shopping with The Chirping Moms!
Earn entries in the giveaway below by shopping or sharing these deals on social media! You could win a $25 Amazon.com gift card! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

1. Today is Hayes’s last day of school. I can’t even talk about it without getting a lump in my throat. I have loved his sweet teachers and his little classmates. Every week, three days a week, for three hours a day he has excitedly entered his little classroom, greeted his teachers with enthusiasm and was loved on all morning by these sweet ladies. It was a wonderful year for him and I’m sad it is coming to a close.

2. I’ve been addicted to watching Scandal. The first season is only 7 episodes, and I plowed through them. I’m halfway through season 2 already and I’ve filled up my DVR with new shows this week because I only want to watch Scandal in the evenings. It’s so good!

3. The boys’ birthday party is this weekend, and I think I’m ready for it. I’ve not done a whole lot of crafting, but I have lots of fun Peter Pan props and decorations. I’m just excited for them to have a day to celebrate and play with their friends!

4. My brother has been here since Friday. Uncle Walker is so much fun and my boys just love being around him and playing with him. We’ve gone to the zoo and played in the yard a lot. Even Boudreaux is happy to have him around.

5. We got a cookie cake for Mother’s Day. Is there anything more wonderful than a cookie cake?

6. I loved all of your questions for me, and I’m excited to have some new blog post ideas!

7. I’ve been working a little bit on a loose “summer schedule.” Of course I want the summer to be low key and lots of fun, but I always want to have a little bit of structure to our day so my boys know a little bit about what to expect. I’ve got some ideas for fun things for Hudson and Hayes to learn and play while having fun! And some different ways to be intentional about making the most of our summer.

8. This post is short because I have to go watch another episode of Scandal. I can’t help myself!

I have some funny thoughts about Mother’s Day. I know it’s just a Hallmark holiday and it’s not to be taken too seriously. So we don’t really take it all that seriously in our house. There are cards, and my kids’ teachers were sweet enough to help them make some handprint gifts for them to give to me. Those are really the sweetest things about the whole day.

I don’t take Mother’s Day very seriously until I look at my children. And then I am overcome with emotions about what it means to be their mother. I am the one that is celebrating because Hudson and Hayes Carroll are my boys.

And what an incredible gift that is.

I am not a perfect mother. I lose my temper. I snap at them. I don’t always give them my undivided attention. I could stand to play with them more and there are many times when I wish I could hit a “mute” button at our house.

They are not perfect children. They don’t always obey and they don’t eat all their vegetables. Or, really, any vegetables except green beans. They throw tantrums in public over silly things. But they are my boys.

And it’s when I stop, and look Hudson right in the eyes while he’s grinning at me and saying, “let’s pretend to tickle each other and both laugh” that I see every little piece of joy in that moment. In his grin and his bright brown eyes that are smiling at me. Smiling at me because I’m looking straight at him.

I’m so thankful for his grace. Hudson has taught me the true meaning of grace. As I’ve messed up and as we’ve both navigated this journey together. He’s my first and I’m his only mama. He trusts me and he’s the one that taught me how to trust myself. He made me a mama. I anxiously tip-toed and second guessed my way through so much of his short life. And we eagerly awaited each new milestone, almost in an effort to check the box to move to the next box.

He is full of sweetness. Full of wit and hilarity. And I love so very much that we have inside jokes. I’m not sure how it’s possible that Hudson has grown up so fast, but I am no longer looking forward to his new milestones because I want time to stop.

Then there are the moments when I’m busy folding laundry and watching the news, and I finally notice that Hayes has been running circles around me just trying to get me to look at him and laugh at him. So I look up, and we both give our biggest fake laugh, and I tell him that he is so funny. And he says, “I did it, Mommy!”

Yes, my sweet Hayes. He is the one that got me to relax as a mother. He’s the one that showed me that I don’t have to walk around with tension in my shoulders as I wait for the next new motherhood moment that will challenge me. Hayes is the one that has made us all laugh and lighten up and just enjoy each day for what it is. And we aren’t always anticipating the next big milestone. I’m not second-guessing myself.

I know that perfection is unattainable. We’re soaking up each day in a new way.

Maybe that’s how it always is the second time around.

So, today, on this Mother’s Day, I am thankful for the mama that my boys have helped me to be. And I pray daily that I can grow and show them the way to the Father.