Project 52: Date Night - with a welcome third wheel

Thanks to Papa, BabyDaddy (Trilogy too) and I got a nice evening out tonight. The two older boys were fed and bed and we left around 8. Romantic adventure to The Container Store and then The Cheesecake Factory for some apps and small plate samplings. I could fill up on their pork wrapped dates anytime...

Very nice and relaxing to have time to chat and especially enjoy some two-on-one time with Trilogy who decided to wake up just as the food arrived. It was almost like back in the old days when it was just Curly and us =) We got to talk about grown-up stuff like which car to buy, our veggie CSA and friends we miss. No surprise we also got to laugh at the antics of our boys today (Curly protecting Spike from the geese, Spike letting his balloon go in the parking lot of Color Me Mine) and revisit our united front on discipline. We decided to forego the infamous dessert when Mr. P remembered that we had one last It's-It left in the freezer. And Magic Shell...score!

A shout out to Papa who juggled #1, #2, the two four-leggeds AND a crossword puzzle for 3 hours. I guess it's ok that you ate the last It's-It....

Date Night Packs - a brilliant idea!

Tiffay at Simply Modern Mom had a guest blogger, Shauna Thompson who blogs at My Mix of Six. Here is Shauna's wonderful, pre-planned idea to make Date Nights more fun and more likely =)

Can you think of any other ideas that you'd like to share?

Each packet is sealed until the first of the month. Then Stephen opens up the surprise date and we plan on the calendar the date that we are going to go.

Many have asked what some of the dates are. I initially wrote down a list of our favorite dates, ideas from others, ideas from the internet and then dates that I have wanted to do. I put gift cards, pictures of the activity or directions to the date in the packets. Here is a list that might help get you started:

• Theater tickets. You don’t have to pay the big money, colleges and high schools have amazing productions as well.
• Free summer concerts in the park mixed with a Subway giftcard
• Dinner and the movies
• Temple trip. Just copy your recommend or put in a picture of the temple to show him where you’re going.
• A favorite fancy restaurant
• Morning hike followed by breakfast out
• Frisbee golf at the park with a coupon for dessert
• Country dancing or any other dancing for that matter
• Stargazing by a campfire
• Home spa with a massage and smoothies
• Walk through an art museum
• Bike ride with picnic
• One of each of your favorites. Steve likes sushi – I like chick flicks, so a night of both.
• Cards or a favorite game in the park
• Tennis or racquet ball
• Bowling
• Laser tag
• Night out at the library (Steve LOVES to read and I like magazines. It’s a quiet night BUT we are together.)
• There obviously can be FREE dates. It’s the time spent together, rather than the money spent.

Project 52: Date Night - Week 2

What kind of a date is simply sleeping together? No, dirtybirdie. I mean, literally, sleeping. This is a family-friendly blog people!

Mr. came home for the weekend (he works out of town) and, unfortunately, had to work in town all weekend too. He was with us for 48 hours total. We spent 1/3 of that sleeping. He spent the rest at work. So no time for an "awake" date this week.

What matters is that we saw each other, the kids got to hang on their daddy and he was reminded that we're here for him no matter how much time he can spare.

A mental date, perhaps? Either way, sleep was involved and for parents of 3 boys, that's a win-win situation =)

Til next weekend...

Project 52: Date Night, Week 1

One of my New Year's Resolutions every year is to be a better wife. We'll be celebrating 9 years in September (for those of you who don't keep track =) 2009 was a challenging year for the two of us and I don't want to repeat any mistakes we may have made. So in 2010 rather than expect Mr. to change, I'm going to focus on what I can do myself and the things I can re-evaluate or come at from a different angle. My word for 2010 is "intentional." I want everything I do and say to be purposeful and proactive - at least for someone =)

Finding time for "us" is challenging and the last thing on our to-do list each week. Even though we are together at night (on the weekends), it's almost just to sit on the couch and veg, but our communication needs to be strengthened to withstand the distance during the week. I remind myself often that the best thing we can give our kids is a mom and dad who love each other.

Earlier this month I came across Project 52 from Tiffany at Simply Modern Mom. Participating in a weekly project to have a date night once a week for a year. I think it's a challenging and fun task to take on. Now, mind you, it can be anything from meeting over a cup of coffee to actually venturing beyond the living room, but there's no pressure to do anything fancy, just mentally agree to shut out the rest of the world for those 2 hours or so.

There's even a pledge that we've both signed. Another mom participant suggested taking a picture of each date. Great idea.

"This will be our time to get to know each other better, create memories, learn and
try new things, be creative and have some fun. We have set the following criteria for our date nights…
• Can't do the same thing twice in one month.
• We will rotate being in charge of date nights on a monthly basis.
• No children allowed, if applicable.
• Must create a date-like atmosphere. No frumpy clothes or pajamas (I may have to let this one slide =). Make it a special event. Mind the details. But most of all, keep it simple.

Our first date was this past weekend. Spontaneously and (I know...ironic) unintentionally, we sat on the couch together in the middle of the day enjoying an It's-It.

One of our first "disagreements" came when we'd both stood firm on our choice of favorite ice cream cookie sandwich. I grew up drooling over Kool-A-Koos at the 7th inning stretch of Dodger games. Mr. , a NorCal transplant, referred to them fondly as It's-Its. For my 23rd? birthday I organized a group of 25 for a Dodger game just to get my taste buds a fix. Sadly...Dodger Stadium had discontinued their contract with Kool-A-Koo and jumped ship to the It's-It side...Mr. still thinks he "won."

When shopping with the kids on Saturday, we discovered that you can buy It's-Its RIGHT HERE at little Vons! uh-oh....let the fun begin.

So during naptime, yes 3:30 in the afternoon...we enjoyed a San Francisco experience in the comfort of our own living room. He didn't finish his and gave it to me....ahhhh love.