Why waste this great weather when you want to see a movie? Head for the drive-in! Bet you didn't know that they are still around and kicking. There are two right here in the Willamette Valley. It's a great deal for the whole family - or get a sitter and turn date night into make-out night.

• Motor Vu Drive-In, Dallas
• 99W Drive-In, Newburg

I'm an adult but my kids are still in single digits, so right now is the safe time to share the drive-in dirt. We all told our parents we were at the drive-in so we could stay out past midnight. It was very important to do your research and know not just what movies were playing, but a bit about them. I'm sure my parents had NO IDEA what was going on. I grew up in Hermiston and like so many, that big screen is a thing of the past. I can't wait to load the kids up and head to the drive-in. The hubby and I might just have to smooch too, for old-time sake.

Do you have memories from going to the drive-in movies (or at least telling your parents that's where you were)? Share your story in the comments section. We'd love to hear about it. But we won't tell your parents (or your kids).

Today I turned 40—and it’s hitting me a little hard. I think it’s because I remember when my mom turned 40. I was a sophomore in high school, and at the time I thought 40 was pretty up there. The weird part about being an adult is sometimes I still feel like a kid, like I just graduated from college. But then I see kids who actually did just graduate from college, and truthfully I’m relieved that some things are behind me.

As my dad would say, getting older is better than the alternative, and so I’m working to focus on the positive. I have a healthy, adoring family. My husband and each of my girls picked out their own musical birthday cards for me—the one from my three-year-old daughter has skulls all over it and plays “Bad to the Bone.” How can you not smile at that! I have a job that I love, and that gives me time to be a mom too. And even though I’m not at my wedding day weight, and my house isn’t as clean as I’d like, there’s always tomorrow.

So with that said, I guess 40 is pretty fabulous. Cheers to all moms at any age!

The MOM Magazine team spent this past weekend on our first ever retreat to Silverfalls State Park

. It was an intense 2 days of brainstorming, learning and sharing.  In the short time we spent together, we saw:

-just how far Cindy's Pilot can go on "E"

-the distance from the conference center to the closest place with cell phone reception (a 20 minute drive)

-life without internet access (the horror!)

-an incredibly beautiful and serene lodge and campsite

-how productive 5 moms can be when we don't have to do the dishes, laundry, discipline, cook, facebook, etc.

-the number of times in an hour Kristal mentions firefighters (at least 4)

We saw a lot, both figuratively and literally, including an incredible vision for the upcoming year at MOM Magazine. But the most impressive sight must have been the looks on our faces when we concluded are final day together and realized that we had not seen one. single. waterfall.  I kid you not. We were so engulfed in our working sessions (and trying to find cell phone reception) that we completely missed all opportunities to get out and enjoy the falls. Now THAT'S dedication you'll want to stay tuned for :)

MOM Giveaway Contest Winner's Surprise = Mark Small surprised his daughters "My daughters are dying to go and if there's a chance we could win that would be awesome! Thanks" ~Mark Small

Here is a snippet from YouTube of Taylor's concert. Thank you to everyone who participated in our MOM Contest. If you ever get a chance to see Taylor, it's well worth it. She was amazing. And if you ever get the chance to truly surprise your daughter, it's well worth it.

My Surprise = I surprised my daughter too! Delaney and her friend Dajia were totally surprised and looked amazing for the Taylor Swift concert - with blond curls and hot boots. They will remember it their entire lives, and so will I. I also went with my best friend from junior high and high school. It was crazy to be there and listen to Taylor's songs about being age 13, 14, 15... I shared those experiences with Julia and we both just laughed. Then I looked at my daughter and her friend and it hit me that they are nearly there as well.

Win 2 tickets to the sold-out Taylor Swift concert at the Portland Rose Quarter!

How do I win? It's so easy! Just log in and then comment on this post before midnight on May 14. One comment will be chosen at random. (click on the comments link under the title.) Answer the question: What song do you sing with your kids, and where do you sing?

When do I win? Visit back here at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 15 for the winner announcement in the Friday morning blog. Taylor's concert is at 7:30 on Saturday, May 16.

You must be a registered member to win. Be sure to log in before you make your comment, so we can find you. Register Log in

By commenting below, you give MOM Media permission to use your comment as a quote in a future MOM blog or MOM Magazine story. Thank you so much for visiting. Good luck!

You deserve a mom's night out! Believe me.

I had a blast in April with my college girlfriends from OSU. We haven't seen each other in nearly 15 years and decided to meet up for a weekend at the beach. We shared pictures of the kids, told stories about the family and most importantly we took the weekend off.

Jenny is a stay-at-home mom, launching her amazing Sweetbrook Designs jewelry (see blog about Sweetbrook). Becky is juggling home and work. Stephanie markets her family's business, the beautiful Log House Gardens in Keizer. Mary home schools her two little ones and while that is extremely rewarding, it also means little time alone. She brought spicy thai chips and coffee ice cream. She said, "These are my favorites and I'm not sharing with anyone. I usually have to hide in the pantry and sneak a few at a time." That is so true! And of course we all shared them.

We enjoyed an amazing dinner that our kids would call yucky like prawns, barbecued oysters (Mary didn't like them either), bread with oil and vinegar and a great glass of wine or two. We had Steph do our makeup. We stayed up late. We slept in. We had a weekend for us and it was amazing.

Now it's your turn. Check out the Because I said so!

You deserve a mom's night out! Believe me, it's worth it. I had a blast in April with my college girlfriends from OSU. We haven't seen each other in nearly 15 years and decided to meet up for a weekend at the beach. We shared pictures of the kids, told stories about the family and most importantly we took the weekend off.

Jenny is a stay-at-home mom, launching her amazing Sweetbrook Designs jewelry. Becky is juggling home and work. Stephanie markets her family's business, the beautiful Log House Gardens in Keizer. Mary home schools her two little ones and while that is extremely rewarding, it also means little time alone. She brought spicy thai chips and coffee ice cream. She said, "These are my favorites and I'm not sharing with anyone. I usually have to hide in the pantry and sneak a few at a time." That is so true! And of course we all shared them.

We enjoyed an amazing dinner that our kids would call yucky like prawns, barbecued oysters (Mary didn't like them either), bread with oil and vinegar and a great glass of wine or two. We had Steph do our makeup. We stayed up late. We slept in. We had a weekend for us and it was amazing.

Now it's your turn. Check out the MOM Blog Party and enter for a chance to win your own MOM's Night Out. You and your girlfriends deserve it! Why?
Because I said so!

You heard it before, but I will try to give you an Oregon-based outlook on the phrase, "Pay Yourself First."

Has anyone looked outside lately? It is raining. That could be literal or figurative depending on your individual situation.

The thing I remember about growing up was hanging out inside on really rainy days and watching old movies with my family. Of course, that was after all the household chores were done. It was relaxing, not worrying about getting wet or stomping through the mud. I still love to watch old movies with my family. And I do it having done the PYF thing for years and knowing I can have peace of mind knowing that I have an emergency savings account to help if the roof or the ceiling in the garage springs a leak or a family member leaves the car's sunroof open for several days of rain.

To me having that money set aside is critical. It was not easy to accumulate the savings, but it was worth it. I started with a little bit of money each payday. Thankfully money grows, just like my kids, but not as fast.

I look forward to sharing thoughts like this and others regarding establishing and maintaining financial wellness….feel free to respond here on the Money Mom's blog at Mom Magazine…….

On Saturday, May 2, I ran the Eugene Marathon 5K. I use the word "run" extremely lightly because serious runners, like my friends Mark and Chris, would more likely term it "jogging" if they saw me at it. I ran the Eugene Marathon 5K race in 2008 and had such a fun time - it was my first 5K run ever - so of course I had to compete again this year.

Prior to the start of Saturday's race, I drove the race route since it was a new one this year. As I drove it, I thought to myself...no problem! The route even seemed relatively short. Awesome! Well, it turns out...it was...short, that is! I'd turned left at one juncture where I should have turned right. So as I am running, I get to the juncture and wonder why everyone is going to the right? Huh? What the heck? I decide, "oh well, I will go with them" and kept running. I think there was nearly a whole mile that I hadn't accounted for on my drive-by.  No wonder it seemed so short.

Moving on! Krusteaz is one of the title sponsors of the Eugene Marathon. One of my favorite moments of the race was when the Krusteaz pancake showed up just before race time - being chased by a "fork." The gimmick was that if you could out-run the pancake you'd get 40 pounds - a year's supply - of Krusteaz pancake mix. Well, I am not a big fan of pancakes, but sure, I'll chase a giant pancake and try! It turns out I didn't out run it, but I did beat my previous time by over three minutes! Isn't that worth free pancake mix? FREE anything?

Today is your opportunity to find money-saving deals on kids clothes. These moms have created a great event in Lebanon called Kids Barn.

Why Because it's in a barn! And so moms can clean the outgrown clothes from their closets, make a little money, and get great deals!

When Saturday, May 2 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday May 8 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday May 9 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Half price day!)

Where 37856 River Dr., Lebanon Oregon 97355

Turn Between Les Schwab and Schuck's, go 1.25 Miles Big Barn on the Right

Who Moms love Kids Barn - quotes from their site. Chantel-Good job. I'm looking forward to clearing some closet space! Mom-Great web page, way to go Michele & Denise Martha-LOVE the website. The whole Kids Barn idea is so great. I like the idea of doing it 2 weekends. I'm very excited! Debby-Hi Ladies! I like the web site - looks great and readable! Not sure how much I'll bring in this time but have some stuff saved up.

Visit their site at http://kidsbarn.webs.com. Join their email list so you don't miss the Fall Kid's Barn.