Taxes are due Thursday, April 15, there are a few places trying to help ease the stress.

-- FREE COFFEE AND TREATS

CINNABON: Get two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at participating mall locations as part of "Tax Day Bites!" Flavors include Chocolate Passion, 24-Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss and Cinnacake Classic.

MAGGIEMOO'S: Get one free slice of ice cream pizza -- ice cream with red frosting to look like sauce and white chocolate to look like cheese -- at participating locations from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

STARBUCKS: Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.

-- DISCOUNTED MEALS

BOSTON MARKET: For a "last-minute tax break" -- one free meal for each one you buy Thursday through Sunday -- show this coupon: http://bit.ly/d1YlRO

IHOP: Expanding on the tax deduction parents get for kids, the restaurant chain is offering free dinner for one child age 12 or younger with each adult meal purchased 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. all month long.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S: The seafood restaurant is offering $10.40 dinner and drink specials in the bar on Thursday -- a nod to the 1040 tax form. Bar guests who come in April 15 also receive a $10.40 gift certificate for a later visit. And professional tax preparers, who may have to work right until the midnight deadline Thursday, get their freebie Friday: dessert on the house plus a $10.40 certificate if they show a business card.

P.F. CHANG'S: Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.

-- STRESS RELIEF

HYDROMASSAGE: Get a free massage Thursday through Sunday at participating locations. The mall-based massage chain suggests calling ahead to book an appointment. Find a location athttp://www.hydromassage.com/taxday.

It seems that 5 year olds are obsessed with Star Wars. We went to a Star Wars theme birthday party. Upon arrival, the kids were given a choice of Star Wars character masks. I knew Mo would pick Yoda, he did. So, you can imagine my surprise when I turned around 5 minutes later and saw this:

WTH?!?!?!?!?!? is that my child?

Well, at least I have an idea of what my kids with Brett Favre might look like.

Here's what Mo really looks like, holding an.....umm lightsaber?

Wow, this was some party!!!!!!!

I've mentioned before how much I love the book "Eat This, Not That! For Kids!" by David Zinczenko. 

It's an easy read with great nutritional info and food alternatives. The book understands that kids are kids and want chicken nuggets, sweet cereal, and McDonald's. The best part is that it offers the best places/choices for these things and doesn't try to force feed your kid green leafy veggies.

One good tidbit is The 20 Worst Kids' Foods in America. I giggled a little when I realized 3 of the top 4 things had been consumed by me at some point. Lets see how you fare:

4. WORST DRINK:

Baskin-Robbins' Heath Shake 990 calories, 46 g fat, 113 g sugar

It has 73 ingredients and almost as many calories as 5 Heath bars. 

Honestly, I've had this probably 4 times. Heath is my favorite candy bar, and this shake is damn good! However, I'm glad the boys are content with a single scoop or sorbet.

3. WORST CHINESE ENTREE:

P.F Changs's Chicken Lo Mein 1,198 calories, 67 g fat

There is more fat in this dish than 5 chocolate Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Wow, I just had both last week! And so did the boys. Bad mom.

2. WORST APPETIZER:

T.G.I. Friday's Potato Skins (1/2 order) 1,430 calories

This contains 80% of a 9-year old's daily caloric intake.

I really thought this was a healthy choice because it's a potato, right?

1. WORST KIDS' MEAL IN AMERICA

Chili's Pepper Pals' Country Fried Chicken Crispers with ranch dressing and homestyle fries

1.110 calories, 82 g fat, 1.980 mg sodium, 56 g carbs

I think this one is self explanatory. 

I am proud to say me or the boys have never had this (probably only because we don't have Chili's here, but at least I know not to get it...or at least not to eat all the fries)

So, how did you do?

I have been really busy lately. You probably can tell since I haven't written a blog entry in a couple weeks. Don't take it personally. I really did miss you.

A video was shot at Mo's elementary school to raise awareness about the insane budget cuts in public schools in California. They used 5th grade students, the principal, and parents from our school community.

Unfortunately, I was so busy, I was unable to attend and support this great cause. I was however, thrilled that they chose Transformer actress Megan Fox to portray me. Awesome, right? (I was thinking more along the lines of Mariah Carey, Roselyn Sanchez, Brooke Burke, even Vanessa Hudgens, but hey....I'm not complaining).

Seriously, my 5 year old attends the public school this PSA was filmed at. California public schools, and schools across America are experiencing gigantic budget cuts which will greatly affect our kids and ultimately our future.

I attended public school from Kindergarten up to college. Aren't I shining example of what public education produces.

Please watch the video and sign the online petition to help support our children's education.

What do me, Danica Patrick, Juvenile, Elton John, and Sarah Jessica Parker have in common?  Well, in addition to great hair and expensive taste in clothes, we all share the same birthday.  You can see what celebrities were born on the same day as you here.

"Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver could have been blasting in the delivery room while my mom was pushing me out.  It was the #1 song on my birthday.  This site lets you see the #1 song for any particular date: your birthday, anniversary, etc.  On the day Morris was born, it was "Let it Burn" by Usher, and my MD was doing the tootsie roll to "Lollipop" by Lil Wayne as she pulled a breeched Bronson out.

If you want to know how old you are in dog years, your birth tree, or when you were concieved (TMI for me) then check out this site.  It will give you a gazillion tidbits regarding the day you were born.  I will sleep much bettr tonight knowing that the Mayan Calendar long count date of my birthday is 12.18.0.12.7 which is 12 baktun 18 katun 0 tun 12 uinal 7 ki.  

And last but not least, I just might grab some free grub at Black Angus, Captain D's, Daphne's Greek Cafe, or Souplantation then hop on over to Baskin Robbins for a free 2.5 scoop of ice cream.  This site shows you all kinds of freebies you can get in your neighborhood or online for your birthday.  The free swag doesn't stop there.  You can also check out the freebies for your kids and your pet. 

So, don't be a birthday scrooge on your special day.  These sites will hopefully make getting older (and wiser) just a little bit of fun.

Bronson is 21 months old now, and his little personality is emerging very fast.

Lately, I've noticed a certain "organizational" skill he seems to posess. He loves organizing and arranging....EVERYTHING. His diapers, clothes, the food in the pantry.....and household chemicals.

My little anixiety disorder toddler hard at work.

Wait a minute...I want the hand soaps down HERE.

The proud Artiste. Now, if he can get him to master turning all the labels to face forward,we'll be all set. (BTW, I have no idea where his OCD came from)

**Oh yeah, parents, don't let your kids play with toxic chemicals.

I like to eat.

My kids like to eat.

Bronson LOVES to eat!

Mo is rarely seen without clutching his wallet or money. Bronson is rarely seen without food and/or drink in his hand.

Going for a spin with Big Bro (and a pizza slice).

Running after Mo, pizza still in hand.

I only need one hand to push brother.

Nice wheels. Great pizza.

And don't even think about trying to take it from his hands!

Mo is really into money.

He sleeps with his wallet. He hustles anyone that will listen. He works hard to earn an allowance. 

Lately he's been collecting change. I was FLOORED when I saw how much the quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies added up to.

Parents, you better start checking your sofa cushions. It all adds up!

Note the empty apple juice containers on the floor. Those are Mo's banks.

YES! $644.47! I'm taking Mo to Vegas!!!!!!

Growing up with a father from Wisconsin, you constantly hear about 3 things: snow, cheese, and the Green Bay Packers.

So, my whole life I thought I was a Packer fan. But in August 2008, Packer quarterback Brett Favre signed with the NY Jets (and later to the MN Vikings). I  realized I was actually a Brett Lorenzo Favre fan. Screw the Pack.

I am a huge fan for many reasons, but it has very little to do with football.

Of course he is one of the most amazing quarterbacks of all time, but come on guys, this isn’t ESPN, it’s a mom blog. I’m not here to rattle off sports statistics.

As a mom with 2 boys (and a woman with a heart), it goes much deeper than that. I already know Morris and Bronson like sports and it is inevitable that they will look up to an athlete. I hope as my boys get older they will respect and appreciate Brett Favre not only for his athletic greatness, but for at least one of the following:

He’s passionate about what he does. The average career in the NFL is 3.5 seasons according to the NFLPA. Brett just completed his 19th season in the League. He has even retired twice and came back to the game.

He’s a family man. His wife Deanna (his college sweetheart) is often seen at the games. He constantly mentions how she is such a driving force in his life. They have 2 daughters, Brittany (21) and Breleigh (10).

He’s honest. He always tells it like it is and is very candid. He commands his press conferences/interviews with his Southern humor and charm.

He’s humble. He’s a gracious winner….and loser. Credit is given to his teammates and opponents. I am amazed to see how much time he spends at the end of a game hugging the opposing team. You can even see him chatting up the other quarterback and coaches for extended periods of time. 

He has an amazing work ethic. I already see how young kids want instant gratification with little time or effort put in. He holds the record for most consecutive starts by a quarterback at 285 games!!! Who in the world plays 285 games straight? That’s more amazing than having perfect attendance all 12 years of school. Brett is known for triumphing amid adversity. Some of his best games were played while seriously injured or coping with personal tragedy (such as the passing of his father, his mother's home loss during Hurricane Katrina, and his wife's battle with breast cancer).

I have grown up with and gone to college with many guys that played in the NFL and they all have nothing but nice things to say about Brett Favre. In any profession, the opinion of your co-workers goes a long way.

But the other day, I had the opportunity to meet this great man and now I can voice my opinion.

My friend Gayle got tickets to see Brett (we’re on a 1st name basis now) on the Tonight Show and invited me to attend with her. After the show, we’re escorted to the Green Room. When Brett comes out, I feel a sense of calm. I forget he’s one of the greatest football players and feel like I’m back in high school. He’s so humble and down to earth, I’m taken back to my high school days after the game. It’s like he just came out of the locker room and I still have my cheer leading uniform on. I almost blurt out, “should we head to McDonald’s or Taco Bell?”

He's so gracious and charming. He was visiting LA to take his daughter to see Miley Ray Cyrus and is traveling with his mother-in-law and Priest, both of which we meet. I can easily relate to their humble down home attitude. They're from Mississippi and I'm from Georgia, instant connection! lol. 

After conversation and picture taking, his Priest orders me to turn my back to Brett (I thought the Priest was gonna do some kind of Catholic ritual since Brett had just taken a photo with me, to wash away all the bad sins or something...lol). But I feel something pressing on my shoulder, and it's Brett autographing my jersey!!!!!!!! I joked with the Priest that I thought he was about to bless me or something and he said, "I just did."

And he was right. It was such a blessing and a joy to meet Brett and see that he is everything and more that I thought he would be. And I hope our 15 minute interaction has inspired him to come back for his 20th season in the NFL and win Super Bowl 2011!!!

Ok, so I know I have been neglecting you guys. I have a good reason (excuse). I am in the process of moving.

We all know what a PITA moving is. On top of that, I didn't have internet service for SEVEN days (gasp). Now I know what it's like to be Amish. 

Anyway, I promise I'll be back up and running soon. And I will be a happier Nora (with a lot to say). 

Thanks for your patience. You don't have a choice.  :)