TO ALL mothers, let?s enjoy our special day today surrounded by people we love and cherish dearly. Yes! Mother?s Day is a truly wonderful day, when we can all honor the person that has given each of us unconditional love since the day we were born.

Last week, my little Athena turned four. She has brought so much joy and happiness to our family, although I know we spoil her tad too much. To keep her busy for the summer, I got her into some fun classes at IntelliBoost Study Corner (call 0917-3286258) in Magallanes Center.

Teacher Missy Esguerra says Athena is doing great and will surely be ready for big school by June. IntelliBoost also does tutorials and study classes and is a great way to supplement schoolwork.

As a working mother with a full social calendar, it is difficult to have a young child. I?m lucky that my husband, Dennis, pitches in to keep Athena occupied while I am out. While I was away scuba diving in Tubbataha with a favorite aunt, Mary de Leon, onboard her diving vessel, Oceana Maria Scuba, he took her to the supermarket one day. He told me he was shocked when a friendly lady walked up to them and said, ?Hi Athena!? I guess our little one is getting to be famous.

We had a small celebration for Athena at Marta?s Cakes at Serendra (www.martascakes.com.ph). She has clearly picked up my flair for fancy outfits and accessories. Her Fancy Nancy-themed party was a sugar overload with all the little girls, including older sister Annika and her friends, Ruffa Gutierrez?s kids Loren and Venice and Metro Active editor Jeena Lopez?s twins Isis and Sabrina, swirling icing on their cookies and cupcakes.

Hope bike tour

Both Ruffa and Jeena are great examples of multitasking moms who should be celebrated today. Jeena and I are part of the upcoming Tour of Hope Bike Tour from Muntinlupa to Camarines Sur this May 24-28. I can hardly wait to try out my neon pink, custom-made bike from Bike Town Cyclery.

There?s an ExpoMOM at Rockwell Tent today where you can find out how to join the tour or pledge an amount for every kilometer we finish. The pledges will spread awareness on cervical cancer and support screening for underprivileged women. You can also download pledge forms at thetourofhope2009.multiply.com.

ExpoMOM will also have talks, demos, games and interesting booths for moms of all ages. Visit www.expomom.com for a listing of all the activities. Among the sponsors are Mommy Matters, Nestle Cerelec, Gerber, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson?s Baby and Havaianas.

Dance concert

Another multitasking and accomplished mom is dancesport champion Ednah Ledesma. She and fellow dance enthusiast Anna Periquet are promoting a dance concert entitled, ?Encore: On the Bandstand? on May 22, 7 p.m., at the NBC Tent, The Fort.

Sponsored by Bahay ng Diyos Foundation, Pagcor, Asian Terminal Inc., Intercontinental Terminal Services and Dakilang Bituin, the dance concert will showcase several dancesport champs along with renowned singers like Raymond Lauchengco and Isay Alvarez.

Dancesport is a sensuous yet athletic event, so ?Encore: On the Bandstand? is sure to be a great show. Ednah will partner with Miguel de la Serna for a nightclub rumba, while Anna and partner Larry Iguidez Jr. will do a Broadway fusion of jazz, tap and lindy hop. Other performers include Margie de la Rama and Gem Cinco, in a heart-stopping harlem number, and siblings Brian and Karla Ocana, showing off their SEA Games skills in quickstep. ?Encore? is a production of Whitelight Creative Management and Kessel Dance Manila. For tickets, call 531-1182 or 531-1862.

Cooking classes

Of course, a mom is a mom usually because of what we can do in the kitchen. How I wish I could whip up stuff like Reggie Aspiras! Unfortunately, my kitchen time is usually only when my GMA show, ?House Life,? showcases a kitchen during our house tours.

Now thanks to the Reggie Aspiras School of Culinary Arts, I can take day courses throughout summer and learn to whip up dishes like Pancit Molo Stuffed with Seafood Mousse with Foie Gras & Truffle Oil & Condiments, Beef Chuck Mechado, Chicken Galantina Served with Pan Drippings, Sundried Tomato & Fig Jam and Horseradish Cream, Mango Pavlova with Vanilla Sauce.

Surely all that will gain me extra points with my hubby and kids! Reggie also trains household cooks through her Gourmet Cocinera Series. We so need this because our cook?s specialty is just dialing 77-777 for Shakey?s delivery.

The better numbers to call are 928-9296 or 927-3008, to sign up for chef Reggie?s classes. She has a new series starting soon called ?The Hows and Whys of Cooking for Beginners.? And to keep you motivated, Dr. Francis Dimalanta, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, will be talking about ?The Well-nourished Child: A Behavioral and Nutritional Approach to Battling Childhood Food Issues.? I will try and catch that so I know how to get Athena to eat more.

Spa treat for mothers

This Mother?s month of May makes me think how great it is to be a mommy. At Urban Spa, moms get Time Out and pampered as well. For a minimum receipt of P2,000, clients get a Fish-and-Chips for Me at Fish & Co. Shangri-La. And in turn, for every purchase of the Lobster Menu from Fish & Co. Shangri-La, the diner is entitled to a relaxing Express Chair Massage at Urban Spa. Call Urban Spa at 687-6195 to find out how to give your mom a well-deserved break!

Gowns for moms

For an even better mommy feeling, check out the Couture Christening Gowns of Katrina Goulbourn at Rustan?s Makati?s Children?s Department. They are so adorable that it makes me think about wanting to be a new mom again! And that would be a great way to keep celebrating Mother?s Day year after year after year!

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.