Secrets, surprises, and dates

We have one special date night a month. We set aside a certain amount each month and wait for that perfect time (or make the perfect time) to go out just the two of us. Last week Joel said we should go out Friday and send Izzy to my mom and dad's for the night. So I made the arrangments and we looked forward to a fun evening together. Joel kept saying how excited he was, and I thought he was just being sweet to be so happy to spend undivided attention with me. But Friday morning when I dropped him off at work, he gets out of the car, and walks into his work but before the door closes he turns around and says "Oh, make sure you pack an overnight bag!" I was shocked! But he wouldn't tell me anything. So all day I tried to figure out where he was taking me. I was already so excited because we were going to my favorite place...Utica Square...to do some jean shopping (since I can't find jeans for my body at just a normal store) and then to dine at P.F. Chang's, and then end with some delicious coffee at Starbucks. But with this added surprise, I was so excited.

The time came, I dropped Izzy off with mom, and picked up Joel. He was waiting for me outside and once he was inside the car I asked him to please reveal the secret. At first he wouldn't, but after telling him that I wanted to be able to enjoy the evening and look forward to what was coming, he broke down. He had found this adorable little hotel at 6th and Peoira calld th Savoy. It was charming! We had such a fun time. We both found jeans that we desperately needed. Dinner was sublime, coffee was delicious, and the hotel was fabulous! We slept in till 9:00 Saturday and we felt so refreshed and our love rekindled. We should do this more often.

Daddy Date

Monday night Joel got home a little late, and then it was dinner time. Izzy decided to make that time difficutl, so dinner wasn't pleasent. By the time we finished there, it was bath time, which wasn't as pleasent as it could have been, so Izzy went to bed and Joel felt like he hadn't even seen him. This made him very sad. So on Tuesday we found out that our car battery was dying and Joel was going to have to take it to Walmart after work and get a new one. So he decided to take Izzy with him and take him to McDonald's while they waited for the car. They had a blast!!! Plus I got some free time for myself! It was great! Joel decided that he wanted to try to do that once a week! I think it is great, and he feels like he gets some quality time with Israel and I get an hour to breathe by myself. I love beign a mom, but a few moments by myself feels wonderful too. A recharge!

Date night!

Joel and I got a hankering to see a movie, So Tuesday morning I checked our cheapo deepo movie theater near our house and found out that Knight and Day (the movie we wanted to see) was playing and that it was 2.00 all day on Tuesdays. BINGO!!!! So we made the call to get a babysiter and we were on our way to a fun night. We went about our busy days, got home just in time to pass off Izzy to the Grandparents, say goodnight and goodbuy. Of course we had to stop and get our movie goodies at Walmart (shhhh, don't tell), before we waiting in a long line and then making ourselves comfortable right before the movie started. We laughed and talked about what was going on, and lauged some more. We really enjoyed it.

Afterwards, we ran to get gas, picked up a drink and headed to the park to sit and sip and enjoy the somewhat cool evening after the rain. Then I got a crazy streak. I asked Joel if I could ride home on top of the car holding on to the bike racks. We live like 2 blocks from the park, so it wouldn't be far. He laughed and hesitated, but I begged, and he finally gave it. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! I felt like a kid again. It was a swell time.