Dates

About a year ago, Greg and I decided it was important for us to spend one on one time with the kids.  So we began our once a month dates!  The kids go on one date a month with either Greg or I.  And they don’t let us forget who is going with who and if we haven’t gone yet that month. It’s a sacrifice to make it all work. And now that Lindsey has caught on and is in the mix- it takes a whole Saturday. One whole precious Saturday of productivity out the window. But it’s so worth it.

Half the fun for the kids is planning when they are going to go and what they are going to do. They get to plan the whole thing.  Last year, we kinda guided them and told them if they pick that restaurant, then you can’t do a movie too, etc.  This year Greg put a $$ limit.  It’s amazing the free things they can come up with and think are just as fun. Taylor is notorious for wanting the marathon dates. He will have us booked solid for 10 hours if we let him AND keeping w/in budget. It’s also been interesting to see them get a little more interested in the “free swim pass” they get at soccer. Or the “free In and Out burger” coupon for reading books at the library. Taylor will also peruse the Dixie Direct coupon book and put dibs on certain deals he wants to use for his dates.

Saturday was my first day with Linzabug. She wanted to go swing at the park, but it was raining. Then she wanted a “pupcake”, candy and bubblegum. So Dutchman’s in Santa Clara was the perfect place to get all three.  She picked out her cupcake and only ate the heaping mound of chocolate frosting. As we were sitting there, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” song came on by Cyndi Lauper and she had to get down and dance to it. So she danced and we chatted for a bit. She picked out her candy and bubblegum and we went home.  Simple, fun and $3. But as we were driving home she said, “You’re the bestest Mommy.”  Much better than “stupid head” which she had called me earlier that week. Then when we got home she had to tell Greg all about it and re-live it again. And when she does, she never leaves out that it was “just” Lindsey. Not Lauren and not Taylor. She gets it.