Date Day!

After a very busy, hectic, tiring week, Dustin and I got a date "day" yesterday.  We woke up and began cleaning and I decided to text my mom and see if she could watch the kids for us to grab a bite to eat.  She agreed if we weren't gone too long, so I surprised Dustin with that news!  He was excited, as was I.  We just needed a little break and time to reconnect.  It has always been hard for us to find babysitters, so date nights have never happened much around here.  My mom volunteered to give us a day out last month, and then we went yesterday.  We decided we were going to make it a once a month event if at all possible! 
We left with it snowing-so pretty.  It snowed most of the day, but nothing sticking.  We had a late lunch, early supper at Applebee's.  It is so nice to eat without anyone on your lap or putting their hands in your food!  :-) 
We also took a leisurely stroll through Walmart.  Boy do we know how to live it up!  Haha!  You know how you stroll through just buying random things here and there that you need but never think of because there are 14 cases of diapers in your cart.  Kidding, I've never bought QUITE that many diapers at once.  I asked if anyone needed anything before we left.  Carson requested popsicles.  Emilynn requested a lollipop & toothpaste (she did need toothpaste.)  I got all of those things, plus a few birthday and baby shower gifts for events coming up.  My favorite find was some plastic elephants and tigers- for our circus trip.  I was so happy.  I told Dustin it was amazing we had been married so long, he didn't even bat an eye at my plan to "sneak" my own souvenirs into the circus.  Yes, we are going to the circus as a family Saturday.  15 of us to be exact.  I looked online at souvenirs because I felt like they were pricey.  As I suspected, they were around $25 each for either a stuffed animal or shirt.  Well, with 3 kids that's way too much (in my opinion anyway).  I didn't want to get there and cave to kid pressure.  I mean, have Dustin cave to kid pressure (he's more of a sucker than I am!).  So, I spent $6 on 6 animals for the kids that are going.  I try to stay one step ahead of these little guys around here!    I read the website and it doesn't say you can't bring anything in like that.  I will have a diaper bag anyway, so we'll see.  If they won't allow it, no big deal.  I tried!  It's not like I'm setting up a table to sell the things.  Yes, I can be over the top with frugality sometimes!  Honestly though, since when do you have to have a souvenir as well as going?  Isn't getting to go a  privledge?  I mean, it is $29 each.  Just my opinion, I'll let you know how it goes.  I just can't see dropping $75 on some stuffed toys that the kids will throw to the side once we get home.  Call me cheap, but that is money I can put in our vacation fund for a meal out while at the beach or even tickets to the Monster Truck show I REALLY want to take Carson to. 
So, should we take a poll to see if we come home with the overpriced souvenirs?  I hope not, but we'll see how it all plays out. 

Other random things we bought at Walmart- kites which the kids were excited about (they are $1.37 each if you want some cheap entertainment!), Draino for the bathroom, a quart of oil, a trailer brake light, 2 gifts for my nieces' upcoming birthdays, a baby shower gift of gas drops (aren't they essential to your well being in those early stages?) and bath stuff to go with the rest of the gift I already got, bullets for D (I have no idea what for), and other various odds and ends that I've already forgotten. 
It was a nice, fairly cheap date that helped us feel refreshed and ready to handle parenting again. 

I only wish I had put more priority on date nights or days a couple years ago!!! 
I told my mom my goal of going once a month and she didn't oppose violently...so we'll see if we can make it happen. 

Here's how our upcoming week looks: 

Tonight- My grandparents' 30th wedding anniversary dinner at a very yummy restaurant.  The twins and I are going, Dustin is keeping Henry at home due to his cough/cold.  Emilynn is also going home with my Dad & step-mom and little sister for a sleepover (Meme, Poppy, and Aunt Alyssa).  She's done this once before so I don't foresee any late night calls. 

Monday- Henry's 1 year check up!  I've finally accepted that my baby is 1.  I may still be kicking and screaming about it, but it is hard to miss those baby times when he smiles at me as he's saying a new word or taking a little step.  I can only look forward to his big boy adventures to come! 
Carson and I are taking him to this and running a couple quick errands-Target for diapers, a birthday stop for Meme's upcoming birthday, and then to pick Emmy up from my Dad's.

Tuesday- Milk day, a day late.

Wednesday- Henry's helmet plagiocephaly check up at 10:45.  I have no idea what I'm doing with the twins yet, maybe seeing if they can play with Morgan & Dylan while I'm gone, that worked out really well last time. 

Thursday- dance class

Friday- nothing but Daddy is off!  Yay!  I may try to squeeze a haircut in somewhere.  We'll see.  The car needs an oil change so maybe I can take a little time to do those things and work in a lunch with my sister. 

Saturday- Circus at 7 pm!  The kids are so excited!!!  They've been asking every time we go somewhere if we are going to the circus.  Emilynn does this circus routine- she says "Ladies and gentlemen, boys & girls....."  and does her little hands out like she's talking to the crowd.  It's cute.

Another busy week ahead!  But everyone here seems to be on the mend and I have no major parties or entertaining going on, so I'll enjoy getting back to normal around here.  Whatever "normal" is to us!