April showers bring May...well, showers.

It's been a rainy start to May for sure in Boston, but things should hopefully clear up in the coming days as we welcome May to 2012. That's good news thanks to the plethora of events happening in the city this month. From the Taste of the North End to the Walk of Hunger and Boston Pops Opening Night, May is the month where Boston begins to get geared up for its unparalled summer season.

So whether it's Mother's Day on your mind - and it had better be - or American Craft Beer Week, May presents ample opportunity to get out and enjoy the precursor to arguably Boston's finest season.

Hard to believe, but May is right around the corner, as 2012 continues to hurdle on toward summer. Of course, that means Cinco De Mayo is fast approaching, the perfect excuse to imbibe with one of Boston's best margaritas, but don't forget Mom either. At least, you'd better not.

A host of Boston restaurants are offering special brunch menus for Mother's Day this year, with countless, delectable options to choose from. We rounded up some of the more tantalizing specials, including some from Davio's, the Beehive, Haru, and more.

Reservations are strongly suggested in order to assure you have a spot at the table. After all, Mom always made sure you had one, right?

The New England Patriots are headed back to London this season as the NFL officially released its schedule for 2012, which includes a New England date against the St. Louis Rams in the shadow of Big Ben.

Other highlights on this year's slate, as the Pats seek a return trip to the Super Bowl, include a showdown with Peyton Manning and his new team, the Denver Broncos, on Oct. 7, a game against Manning's former team, the Colts, on Nov. 18, and a late-season test against the defense of the San Francisco 49iers on Dec. 16.

Here's the complete slate.

With thousands of spectators and runners crowding the streets from Hopkinton to Boston each Patriots Day, the Boston Marathon is clearly an economic boon for Massachusetts. But just how much? How about $137.5 million?

That's the amount that the Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau estimates the annual event is worth to the Greater Boston area in 2012, when almost 27,000 runners will compete in Monday's race, which will also draw a half-million visitors along the 27.5 mile course and beyond.

"The spending impact of the 116th Boston Marathon is the equivalent to our region hosting the NCAA Final Four, GBCVB president and CEO Patrick Moscaritolo said in a release. " It is a huge economic benefit for our visitor industry and it kick starts our Spring tourism season."

 According to the CBCVB, the numbers break down like this:

Total spending by  runners and their guests:  $92.4 million
Total spending by spectators: $12 million
Total spending by the Boston Athletic Association: $7 million
Charity fundraising events by marathon runners: $16 million
Total sponsors and media marathon-related spending: $10.1 million

This year's race is expected to be only second in economic impact and participants to the 1996, 100^th anniversary running of the marathon.