HOW TO HAVE FUN THIS MOTHER’S & FATHER’S DAY!

Written by JENNIFER DZIEDZIC | Photographed by SARA MOORE

Mother’s Day has traditionally been about flowers and breakfast in bed, but let’s be honest: Many moms want a day off, and as Newnan resident Crystal Reedy says, “For Mother’s Day, we don’t typically do presents unless it’s something I’ve been looking at or something he knows I need. Instead, he gives me the day off. I can take a few hours to walk around a store by myself, grab a cup of coffee somewhere, or read a book.”

Reedy says Father’s Day with her husband Jamie is also less about gifts and more about quality time together as a family with their 7-year-old daughter River.

“We typically plan a fun day where he doesn’t cook but just can relax and have fun,” says Reedy. “This could be a game day, a fun outing, or something new.”

Whether you’re a family looking to share a new experience together, a single parent planning a special day with your children, an adult looking to treat your parents, or even a dog parent looking for a pet friendly place to grab a beer, Coweta County has something for everyone to make it memorable.

Ax and paint throwing

Families looking to try something new can check out the Splatter Room at Black Bear Axe Throwing Company in Newnan. It’s an exhilarating experience for the whole family, igniting the Jackson Pollock in each of us, as well as the inner child who wants to come out to play.

Bathed in black lights and paint-splattered adjacent walls, families can splash and flick glow paint around on a canvas and even paint on each other while dancing to music pumping through a Bluetooth speaker. Perhaps your child will paint a fluorescent yellow mustache on you – if you let him. Don’t worry, rain ponchos, head and shoe protection are provided, and the paint is non-staining and washable. But to be on the safe side, don’t wear your Sunday best.

Black Bear is best known for their ax-throwing lanes, and it’s another cool family adventure for Mother’s and Father’s Day. Popular with both women and men, this activity combines healthy stress relief and a dollop of competition. There are indoor and outdoor ax-throwing areas and a new Rage Room for ages 10 and up. There’s also a mobile ax-throwing unit that can come to you.

Take a break and order take-out

Busy parents don’t want to cook on their day off, so catering a meal frees up time that they usually would spend in the kitchen.

The food truck business in Coweta County is booming, from Me Lumpia Long Time serving Filipino cuisine to Japaneck Frank Hibachi to Lisa’s Creperie and so many more. There are plenty of food choices at other restaurants as well.

John Adcock, owner of Jalapeno Express BBQ, a food truck and catering business in Newnan, says that both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are busy for them.

“We do a lot of catering for families,” says Adcock. “We can also serve and set up or we can do a drop-off.”

Throw back a beer with Mom and Dad

What do you get someone who has everything? A beer!

Adult children looking to add to the Mother’s and Father’s Day weekend festivities might swing by Abide Brewing Company on the Saturday before the holiday.

“We do food trucks and music every day,” says co-owner Evan Scanlan. “We’re very family-friendly, pet friendly. We typically do stuff like ‘Buy your father a beer day’ for Father’s Day, because all our fathers were very supportive when we were going through this journey [of opening the brewery], so family has been a big part of our journey. Fathers enjoy a free beer from their sons.”

Scanlan reminds sons and daughters that moms enjoy a cold brew, too!

Spa time!

If mom prefers a gentle day of wellness and relaxation, going to a nail bar or visiting a spa can be a fabulous way for mothers and daughters to relax and spend quality time together.

Plumyumi Day Spa in Senoia and Emily’s Skincare and Spa in Newnan are excellent choices for massage gift cards for when mom needs a break.

Ashley Le, owner of Waterscape Nails in Newnan and Peachtree City, says she sees many mothers and daughters on the week of Mother’s Day visit for pampering. Father’s Day isn’t off limits: “We have more men that come in to get pampered, too,” Le adds.

Mother’s Day spa day at home is a fun option for younger children. Emily Miller, 8, of Newnan, says she loves to pamper her mom on Mother’s Day.

“It’s a good way to help her relax if she has a little bit of stress on Mother’s Day,” says the wise child.

Plan an impromptu photoshoot 

Stop by any local florist shop to purchase loose flowers for a sweet spring photoshoot with mom. After all, she’s typically the one taking all the photos, so make this day about capturing beautiful memories together with her.

One can never go wrong with the traditional gift of a floral arrangement for Mother’s Day. But, a reminder to the guys out there: Order early for delivery. NCM

PRANK MOM!

Fun-loving, playful kids and parents can add a new twist to the day by making it all about laughter.

Elizabeth Giles, COO of SeaGlass Therapy, remembers when Mother’s Day pranks began in
her family.

“I woke up and my family guided me outside into the garage and showed me my car, and on my white SUV were racing stripes,” she recalls. “They just
died laughing, and then showed me they were like sticker decals.”

Last year her children went all out with their prank.

“I knew it was coming because they laughed when I woke up,” says Giles. “On my car were a crown sticker on my windshield, eyelashes on my headlights, crystal-studded pineapple tire air caps – and a giant YAAAS Queen sticker on my hood. It
was awesome!”

Giles says she loves the pranks and now looks forward to them every year.

Emily’s Instructions for Spa Day at Home:

Emily Miller, 8, of Newnan offers these tips for pampering mom on Mother’s Day with a home-based Spa Day.

Step 1: Make your mom breakfast.

Step 2: Collect supplies and set up.

Step 3: Grab your mother and have her sit and relax.

Step 4: Put on relaxing music.

Step 5: Do the foot and hand soak. Dry her hands and feet, and then massage them using a nice body lotion. Then paint her nails.

Step 6: You must always remember to love your mama!