The Moms of Marquee

Beth Berk | Dallas

What fun things have you been doing with your kids to keep them busy? Cooking, going on really long walks, swimming, and watching ridiculous tv shows.

What do your kids love about being home with you? Hone cooked meals, they feel like they're part of the process with family duties now! We laugh - A LOT. They feel like they've been more active now that they don't have such scheduled routines.

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? Not a lot... it falls right between Drew and Eli's birthdays this year, so we will be celebrating from May 8-14th!

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your kids? Probably cry - Eli is going to college this fall, and if things continue as planned, they're both going to summer camp (Drew to be a camper; Eli to be a counselor) for 8 weeks this summer. So, I won't know what to do with a quiet house!

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you and your kids missing the most? We REALLY miss baseball games and sporting events in general. They miss the luxury of going to restaurants, and they miss daily things like shopping and going to the movies.

What new things have you been doing with your sons while you're stuck in the house? We have tried painting, new shows, different recipes, and going through old pictures. They love that!

Now that you're working from home, what do you miss most about going into work? I miss the chaos of the office; the stress from being a mom, chef, employee, co-worker and housekeeper makes me realize that being at the office is a GOOD THING! I miss my friends and co-workers, laughing with them and talking about incredible events.

What do you like most about working from home? The flexibility is pretty great; I love not driving everywhere all the time. I've learned to be resourceful and it's pretty great having the dog with me all day!

What is bringing you joy lately? Honestly, a routine is a blessing these days. I take comfort in knowing what's happening next. I love catching up with my clients and checking in with people. I am really taking joy out of hearing about the small celebrations that people are having and getting to be a part of that. I am happy that the earlier bedtimes aren't super necessary and the kids are up late with me. I'm cherishing this time with them before our house population gets a bit smaller!

Cortney DeArmond | Kansas City

What fun things have you been doing with your son to keep him busy? Since we both have full-time jobs and didn't feel comfortable bringing a nanny in, our childcare now comes in the form of Gram and Grumpa. So his days are filled with guitar playing, swinging, jumping in his kangaroo door swing, playing with toys that all make our house sound like Las Vegas, and of course naps, car rides and walks.

What does your son love about being home with you? He can't talk yet, and pretty much only says "dada", but I hope he's enjoying this extra time with mama as much as I am.

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? This is my very first Mother's Day (at least with him on the outside), I don't need anything special, just the gift of being able to sleep past 8 am would make me so happy.

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your son? Due to the pandemic, we cancelled our first kid-free weekend trip to celebrate my birthday. When it's safe, we'd love to reschedule our Colorado weekend.

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you and your son missing the most? We wanted to go visit Grandma and Grandpa in South Carolina and have two of his uncle's show him around New York. We are hoping that we can go to this pool this summer and visit mommy's alma mater, Mizzou, for a football game and cousin time this fall.

What new things have you been doing with your son while you're stuck in the house? When you are 9 months old, everything is new! We've taken this time to introduce him to all the 90's music we love.

What is bringing you joy lately? This time, although we can't meet in person, has allowed me to see my sales team in a more relaxed and comfortable environment and allowed me to get to know them on a deeper personal level as we have come together to try to get through this very challenging time in our industry.

Leslie Cole | Dallas

What fun things have you been doing with your kids to keep them busy? Taking walks, running, and playing tennis

What do your kids love about being home with you? I make them breakfast, lunch, and dinner

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? Brunch

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your kids? Go shopping and get my hair done

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are your kids missing the most? Going out to dinner and the movies

What new things have you been doing with your kids while you're stuck in the house? Cooking and puzzles

What is bringing you joy lately? My beautiful backyard

Valda Walton | Chicago

What fun things have you been doing with your daughter to keep her busy? We love ALL games. Puzzles, cards, GIANT jenga, mancala, sodoku even a game of connect 4 is a winner in our home. Incorporating Tik Tok in my new normal has been interesting as well

What does your daughter love about being home with you? My daughter is loving convincing me to giving my credit card information for purchasing items and equipment (hand drill)? needed for creating beautiful nails. She says now is a good time to enhance her skills and I can be her go to for practicing.

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? This year I will be honored with having a meal prepared by my boyfriend and daughter. I am told if the weather is nice, we will do some gardening together or take a scenic ride to really no known destination but just a get out of the house to enjoy the fresh air. I'm sure Zarlengo's Italian Ice will be part of the road trip.

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your daughter? I would love to have a nice weekend getaway inclusive of dinner and LOTS of dancing.

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you and your daughter missing the most? Volleyball & strengthening practices and tournaments 3x's a week with tournaments on weekends

What do you like most about working from home? Working from home has afforded me the opportunity to have more home cooked meals and more bonding with daughter #winning

What new things have you been doing with your daughter while you're stuck in the house? je rafraichis mon francais avec mon enfant (I'm refreshing on my French with my kid)….I took a class in college and remembered how much I loved the beauty of the language. Her French teacher is getting a kick out of this.

What is bringing you joy lately? The fact that I don't feel like I'm spreading myself too thin. I find myself being productive in the timeframe of a normal 24 hour day.

Pam Peplinski | Sports & Entertainment

What fun things have you been doing with your kids to keep them busy? Lots of Painting from Refinishing old furniture, walls designs, clothing to canvas. We also have been walking, biking, playing baseball and practicing Dance in hopes sports will once again pick up.

What do your kids love about being home with you? They said they are enjoying just me being home vs traveling, even though I am always telling them to clean up and finish their school work. haha

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? Just not cooking or doing dishes. I probably should remind everyone Mother's Day is coming...hahaha

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your kids? OMG I am not sure, so many options. haha Probably dinner and drinks with my Best Friend.

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you and your kids missing the most? Sports. Dance Competitions and Baseball Games. Not being able to head to the Ocean for Spring Break was a tough one. That typically was our regroup before our crazy summer schedules begin.

What new things have you been doing with your kids while you're stuck in the house? Playing Board Games vs watching TV. Eating together as a family. From kids practices to my travel schedule it is rare we are all in the same place or dinner at the same time. It has been nice to use our kitchen table.

What do you like most about working from home? I like making my schedule. With clients all over the country I don't have "office hours" so if I have to take a very early call or late night call it really does not matter. It is easy for me to be available to my customers since everything I need is set up for me at home.

What is bringing you joy lately? Art. Our home has turned into our canvas during all of this. Happy Mother's Day!!!

Mary Klein | Chicago

What fun things have you been doing with your daughter to keep her busy? We are spending time outside, and also trying to show our little one about cooking together.

What does your daughter love about being home with you? She loves getting extra time with us that we've never had before!

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? No plans yet, but I am sure my husband will be making us a beautiful brunch at home.

Whats the first thing you are going to do without your daughter? Enjoy a meal with just adults :)

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you missing the most? Literally going anywhere. Even trips to the grocery store or Target are missed by our little one.

What new things have you been doing with your daughter while you're stuck in the house? Letting the "rules" slide - just being more relaxed about making messes and getting things dirty inside of our home.

What do you like most about working from home? There is no rushing around to get ready and get out of the house, or worrying about being somewhere "on time." I also like cooking, so eating 3 meals a day at home has been great for me.

What is bringing you joy lately? Getting to spend so much time with my child that I wouldn't have had otherwise :)

Rachel Tamez | Dallas

What fun things have you been doing with your kids to keep them busy? We moved! But it only kept them busy for so long!

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your kids? Probably movie night!

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you and your kids missing the most? Some of our favorite local restaurants.

What new things have you been doing with your kids while you're stuck in the house? They have actually been getting outside more, we have a basketball hoop at the new house, so that's fun!

What do you like most about working from home? The commute!

What is bringing you joy lately? We have been sending packages to friends and it is fun to get their texts and hearing about how much joy the packages brought them!

Denise Silverman | Austin

What fun things have you been doing with your son to keep him busy? Yard games like croquet & cornhole.

What does your son love about being home with you? My son, Jesse is 14, and loves to mess with me - so the constant ability to play practical jokes and sneak up behind me and scare the life out of me is what he loves!

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? I actually don't know - my husband and son are surprising me!

Now that you're working from home, what do you miss most about going into the office? Not hearing video games in the background.

What do you like most about working from home? Working from home helps with fewer distractions than being in the office. But it does not outweigh how much I miss seeing my team every day!

What is bringing you joy lately? Listening to records, organizing closets, yard work, doing puzzles, and wine.

Tiffany Bell | Dallas

What fun things have you been doing with your kids to keep them busy? Going on walks and playing games.

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your kids? More home cooked meals

What special things are you planning to do for Mother's day? My mother lives across the street. We are going to surprise her.

Whats the first thing you're going to do without your kids? A full days work without interruption.

What places, that you usually go to as a family, are you and your kids missing the most? church and paternal grandparents

What new things have you been doing with your kids while you're stuck in the house? spending a lot more time together and laughing more

What is bringing you joy lately? working with clients to plan events