Happy weekend, Palmetto Parents!

This week is one that calls for A LOT of celebration as we honor teachers, nurses, and moms all in one week. It's a lot of celebrating packed into a short stretch of calendar and it is well deserved recognition. Teachers and nurses show up every single day for other people's kids and other people's families, often without much fanfare, and the moms in our lives do the same. If you have a teacher or a nurse in your world, this is a good week to say something. And if you are one — THANK YOU. We mean it.

To all the mamas reading this, probably before anyone else in the house is awake: happy Mother's Day. We hope this weekend feels a little slower and a little sweeter than a regular weekend. If getting out and about is your vibe this weekend, we have some ideas for you!

We know this might sound cliché, but truly—every time someone signs up as a Palmetto Parents supporter, it makes Daniel and me so grateful. Just $5/month or $40/year shows us that you value what we’re building and that it’s helping your family connect with each other and with the Summerville community. That kind of support is exactly what keeps us going.

There is a lot going on in Summerville this weekend for Mother's Day, and we wanted to put it all in one place so you're not digging through socials to find it. Whether you're planning something unique with the kids, treating yourself, or looking for the perfect Sunday brunch spot, here's what's happening.

Bee City Zoo — Free Entry for Moms | Saturday & Sunday 9am–6pm | Moms free, everyone else $7

This one is a great excuse to get out of the house with the whole family. Bee City Zoo is offering free admission to all moms this Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 10, with the rest of the family coming in at just $7 each. The first 100 moms through the gates each day receive a flower.

Mommy & Me Special Class at Gabel Martial Arts | Saturday May 9th 10-11am

Gabel Martial Arts is hosting a special Mommy & Me class this weekend — a fun way to get on the mat with your littles and do something a little unexpected for Mother's Day. This is great for all fitness levels and for littles age 3+. You can text

Shake & Break Drop-Off Event — We Rock the Spectrum Summerville | Saturday May 9th 12-3pm | $25

Moms, this one is for you. We Rock is offering a Mother's Day Shake & Break drop-off event where you can leave the kids for three hours of safe, sensory-friendly play for just $25 — normally $35. While your littles are playing, making friends, and burning energy, you get three kid-free hours to do whatever you want with them. Coffee, errands, a nap. Spots are limited, so call to reserve yours.

Mimosas & Painting with Mom — Eggs Up Grill | Saturday May 9th 6-8pm | $30

Local artist Christina Mencia is guiding a Mother's Day Eve painting event at Eggs Up Grill Knightsville this Saturday. You and your mom will each paint your own canvas — designed so they can be displayed separately or together as one larger piece — while enjoying a mimosa and a special menu. Tickets are $30 per person, payable directly to Christina to cover supplies and the lesson. Check the event page for payment details and to grab your spot.

Mother's Day Mellow Movement & Mimosas — Collective Wellness Summerville | Sunday May 10th 10-11:15am | $20

On Sunday morning, Teresa is leading a 75-minute mellow movement class at Collective Wellness rooted in breath, alignment, and mindful flow. No pressure, no performance — just an intentional hour and fifteen minutes to soften and reset before the day begins. All levels welcome. The $20 includes a mimosa. Bring your yoga mat and water. Space is limited, so RSVP via message on Facebook or reach out to [email protected] to hold your spot.

Build-a-Bouquet Mother's Day Event — Twisted Sugar | Sunday May 10th 10am-12pm

Twisted Sugar has teamed up with Garden Sapphire Florist for a Mother's Day event that's genuinely one of the more creative ideas we've seen this weekend. Dads and kids can come in and build a custom bouquet for Mom, choosing individual stems priced from $2–$15, so it works for every budget and every age. While you're there, you can also decorate a drink carrier and pair the whole thing with one of Mom's favorite Twisted Sugar sodas and a cookie. It's a hands-on gift that means something, and it's a really sweet thing to do with your kids.

And if a special brunch is more your speed...

Several local restaurants are offering Mother's Day menus and specials on Sunday. Five Loaves, Cielo, and Top Dawg Tavern all have special brunches worth checking out. Luxe Bar & Bistro is offering a free mimosa with any purchase all day Sunday — their outdoor space is lovely this time of year, and it's a relaxed, no-fuss option if you want something low-key. Call ahead or check their websites to confirm reservations, as Mother's Day Sunday fills up fast.

This Saturday is the Summerville Museum’s next Kids Club! For Kids Club this month, participants are invited to get creative and make their own air dry clay pinch pots while learning more about the history of pottery in the Carolinas. After the lesson and pot making, participants can enjoy a snack. Spots are limited, so email [email protected] to reserve a spot for your child. There is a $5 fee which is payable at the door.

Every month the museum offers amazing opportunities for kids, and this one will be no different! Keep your eyes out on their social media and in our newsletter for upcoming oppourtinities.

416 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville | Open Daily 7:30am–9pm (but closed 12-4pm on Fridays)

We kept seeing The Crepe Lab pop up in our feeds for weeks with photos that looked almost too good to be real. We finally got to try it ourselves on a Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago and we were not disappointed. We were so not disappointed that when my parents were in town the following week, we took them back.

The Crepe Lab opened on Old Trolley Road about two months ago and it has already found its people. If you go on a Saturday, just know that going in: it's a small operation with limited seating, and it fills up fast. We played with the boys outside while we waited, which honestly wasn't a bad way to spend the time. When we went back on a Tuesday morning, it was a completely different experience and was quick, relaxed, and easy. Both visits were worth it, but good to know the difference when you're managing little ones.

The menu is the main event. Sweet and savory crepes, made to order, in combinations that go well beyond what you'd expect. We've gone back to a strawberry and Nutella variation both times and have zero regrets but watching savory crepes come out of that kitchen has us planning a return trip to try one. One standout detail is that all of their savory crepes are made with buckwheat flour, which is naturally gluten free. I've ordered mine gluten free each time, and they've been diligent about asking whether it's an allergy — which, if you or someone in your family has celiac, you know is exactly the question you want to hear. It tells you they understand the difference between preference and precaution. Beyond the crepes, they also serve bagels and omelets for breakfast, and the coffee program is genuinely solid. I got an iced honey oat milk latte both visits and was very happy. The menu is extensive and also includes matcha and other drinks, so there's something for everyone in the group.

Then there's the dessert bar. In-house cheesecakes in a rotating variety of flavors, baklava, and other things that are hard to walk past. Ice cream is also available on its own or as an add-on to a crepe, which is exactly the kind of decision that leads to you ordering one at 9 in the morning. The staff has been warm and welcoming every single time, and on our last visit they took our picture for their Polaroid wall, which is the most charming thing a restaurant can do. This one has already settled into the community like it's been here for years.

This one's from me, just me, while Courtney's not looking.

I watch my wife do the math nobody asked her to do. Whose shoes fit, whose feelings got bruised at school, what's defrosting, who hasn't had water in a few hours, which boy needs an extra minute at bedtime tonight. None of it is on a list. It's just held, somewhere in her head, all day long.

Moms carry that. The emotional weather of a household, the calendar nobody printed, the soft work of noticing. You do it without applause, often without anyone realizing it's being done at all. You're more patient than we deserve and more compassionate than we know how to be.

If Mother's Day is heavy this year — if your relationship with your mom was hard, if she's no longer here, if you're still waiting and hoping to become one — we see you too. This day has more layers than the cards admit.

But to the moms and the mother figures and the women who stepped in when someone needed them to: thank you. The world keeps turning because of the quiet, daily, unglamorous love you pour out.

We love you. We see you. Happy Mother's Day.

And a very special thank you to Courtney Berk, who is the power behind Palmetto Parents, who loves this community more than you know, who I love more than words describe. Happiest of Mother’s Day to you.

— Daniel

Love,

Courtney, Daniel, and the Berk Boys

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