Mothers around the world rejoice! 

Have I got a find for you…

#mom (hashtagmom) is a service that automates calling or texting your mother when you arrive at a location using Foursquare and the #mom hashtag. That means anytime mom is worried whether or not you arrived safely, you can let her know immediately.

I have to tell you, even my own mother loves this! (And she recently boycotted the Internet to the point of cancelling her email account.)  To sign up,  go here, enter your mother’s cel number, select your preference of  a text or call, and connect it to your Foursquare account.

Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

For all of the moaning and groaning and weeping and wailing an gnashing of teeth that I have been doing over my son’s advancement into middle school, I have found a silver lining.

No, actually. A pot of gold.

Or could it be a million dollar lottery ticket?

I don’t care what you call it… I have discovered PINNACLE. (Hear the angels singing, people?)

Pinnacle is a password protected online grading system that REVEALS ALL. I can see each class’s assignments. I can see grades. I can see missing work. I can email teachers. I can arrange for daily email notifications for assignments, graded work or anything that drops below a C. The possibilities are endless!

It is a new day at the Gerlock house.

No more wondering if my ADD boy is forgetting assignments. No more trying to figure out where he stands and what his weaknesses are. No more fretting over semester grades. It is all available online.

Which means I am a mom armed with knowledge and power.

I adore technology, don’t you? This may be the best thing I’ve discovered since the iPhone.

Does YOUR school have technology to help you assist in your child’s academic career? What are your thoughts on it?

My youngest has us all in a tizzy these days.

One morning the child woke up, looked around and came to the shocking realization that he was 10 and still had dinosaurs in his room.

A tragedy of immense proportions, indeed.

Dinosaurs, as you know, ARE FOR KIDS. No self-respecting 4th grader has them adorning his sheets because OH MY GOD ITS SO NOT COOL.

I guess technically we knew this day was coming. We’d been biding our time until he made the metamorphosis from boy to pre-teen. We just didn’t know it would require a complete redesign a la HGTV.

In any event, we have been in full-out extreme makeover mode ever since “the realization.”  The prehistoric kiddie room (baby blue, orange and soft yellow) has now morphed into a more modern skater-themed hang out (grey, black, white and neon green). We even tried to figure out how to add secret compartments and hiding spaces for an added secret agent hidden-stuff-from-the-world vibe.

It seemed, however, that his pre-teenness was not finished with his requests yet. Last night he pulled me aside and told me he would like to add “a little technology” to his space.

Huh? “Technology?!?”

In my head I was envisioning flat screen televisions, iPads and stark futuristic looking gadgets from Best Buy. (Which equals big $$$ and a big “NO WAY” kind of answer.)

But the child said, “You know mommy, like where you clap your hands and the lights come on and off? You know, TECHNOLOGY!”

Yes gang, my sweet boy wants a Clapper.

And THAT is so adorable that he is totally going to get one.

Are you a fashionista with a penchant for technology?

Oh boy, have I got a treat for you!  Take a look at these two free iPhone apps:

Can’t attend fashion week? No worries!

Style.com has developed the most fabulous app for ladies who want the latest looks right off of the runways! It literally brings fashion week  to YOU. Shortly after the live shows, you’ll get all of the latest looks uploaded to your fingertips. You’ll be the first of your friends in the know! NYC, Paris, Milan, London … how cool is that?

Ms. Wintour has done it again

That Anna Wintour.  She thinks of everything! How many times have you been left wondering about an item in an ad? (Sometimes the ads are the best part!) How much is it? Where can you get it?  Well, now Vogue has put out the Vogue Stylist app. This lovely piece of technology lists out everything in the latest fashion ads, provides details, pricing  and, of course, where  shopping gals can go to purchase. Not only that but it will let you know the latest fashion trends and even provide product suggestions. Love it!

Sometimes I am just overwhelmed at the enormity of having kids.  Sometimes my heart just overflows with love and joy.

This means that I cry a lot.

I cry because my little ones are so precious.  I cry because they are so sweet, and caring and innocent.

I am often overwhelmed.  I’m sure you understand.

I know that I have already filled you in on my severe case of mommy guilt this Mother’s Day. And while it may be true that I had to miss Jedi’s Mother’s Day Tea at school today, I have a number of excellent friends who, through the miracle of technology, shared the event with me via the internet.  (My mother also volunteered to serve as a “surrogate mom” for the event…Thank goodness!)

Thank you to my friends for understanding the struggles of being a working mom and for unselfishly thinking of me during your own child’s tribute to YOU.  Thank you also to the teachers for putting together these wonderful events that remind us just how fun being a mom really is.

Happy Mother’s Day to all.