Moms Weekend

Allison Liska owes her mother her life. One may wonder at the significance of this statement, as everyone can make the same claim.

Along with the traditional array of vendors selling homemade crafts and merchandise, the Moms Day Craft Fair will provide entertainment for the whole family.

Finding things to do this weekend with mom should not be too much trouble. However, finding a room to stay in might prove quite a challenge.

Moms Weekend is coming up, and for those of you who have mothers making the pilgrimage to Chambanaland, you might be starting to wonder how you can maximize your time to make sure she enjoys her visit.

Tell your mother to leave the neon green poncho at home when she comes down for Mom's Weekend.

And that skimpy dress she found in your closet?

Don't let her wear that, either.

Every one of the moms heading to campus this weekend have the potential to wear something that will embarrass their Illini.

Growing up, children depend on their moms for home-cooked meals, clean laundry, words of encouragement and so much more. But times change, and in college, laundry begins to pile up, dust builds on surfaces and there is no longer a shoulder to cry on when things go wrong.

In a few days campus will explode with thousands of minivans and SUVs, hotels will be packed, restaurants will have lines out the door and the streets will be a sea of orange and blue. The moms are coming to town. Don't run and don't be afraid - there is no escape. For a few days your mom will be in town to take you shopping, criticize your decorating and living style and generally express her love.

I can pretty much guarantee you that the moment she reads this, my mother will be crying. I didn't do anything - I swear - except go off to college and write this column about her.

Kim Rutledge went to her first University athletic event when she was only a few months old. As soon as the game began and the noise of the crowd rose, she started crying, scared.

Good thing she was accompanied by her mother, Nan Rutledge, the 2007-2008 president of the Mom's Association.

Mom's Weekend Kickoff Dinner and Reception - April 11 at 5 p.m. in the Illini Union South Lounge and Illini Rooms A, B and C. Reservations are required in advance.

Taste of Campus Recreation: Sunrise Yoga - April 11 from 6:30-8:30 a.m. at CRCE and IMPE East Wing.

Is your mother coming to visit you this weekend? Congratulations, you still have four days to move to a different address. Otherwise you will be subjected to a number of Mom's Weekend traditions that have happened every year for as long as anybody can remember.