DATE NIGHT.

I've admitted before that I'm not the most prompt blogger, so don't let it surprise you that I'm just now posting about a date night that happened nearly two weeks ago. All good things must be documented, so just roll with it, okay?

Nick secured a pair of tickets to see Adam Carolla, one of his favorite comedians, whose podcasts he also happens to listen to daily. He actually went to see him about this time last year too, but at that time I had a new baby at home and wasn't ready to leave him, so Nick went with a friend instead. Although I don't listen to Adam's podcasts, I do remember him from MTV's Love Line way back when, and I'm always game for a date night with my man. So win win all around.

The event was downtown St. Paul at the famous Fitzgerald Theater. Nick wanted to go to a nice dinner beforehand, but I was concerned about timing, so we opted to go to a little dive we've always wanted to visit but never had.

It was a wise choice we made. It was super awesome inside.

Created from a box car and equipped with limited seating, we were lucky to snag one of the four booths in the joint. I felt a little rushed when I saw this sign, but we stayed well past the time limit and nobody kicked us out.

We broke the rules of our usual family dinning, and had dessert first. Just call us rebels.

We enjoyed each others company and tried not to talk about the kids too much. Which is hard to do sometimes.

Note to self: Point chin down! Why do I always do this?!

There. That's better.

If you're gonna eat dessert first, you might as well blow the whole night and have this for dinner...

We got a good laugh when our been around the block a few times waitress brought us our check(s). Separate, like we were on our first date or something.

At least she put the chocolate malt on Nick's tab, so I was a cheap date.

Then we were off to see the show. Sweet pic, I know.

No matter what we do, it's just nice to get out, the two of us. We love our kids dearly, but breaks are so refreshing every now and then. We called it an early night and headed home afterwards, which proved to be a wise decision come about 3am when our little Nuggie woke up with the flu.

She mended very quickly, and no one else, including our sitter that night, caught her bug. Thank goodness.

Date night was awesome. Hope we get to do it again soon. Minus the flu part.

MAY DAY.

Every year this day slips by and I tell myself next year I'll do May Day baskets. But it never really happens. Until today. I woke this morning with a seize the day attitude, coupled with thoughts of how much Nugget would love it (I could almost hear her squeals) and decided this was the year. A quick rummage through the basement and our art cabinet, and we had all the fixings for some May Day fun.

During Brother's morning nap, Nugget and I assembled the baskets, using some baskets we had from picking berries last summer, pipe cleaner, and beads. We scrounged our cupboards some more and came up with a few basket fillers- tea and stickers- but it was not enough. A quick trip to the store yielded candy, gum, nail polish, strawberry drinking straws and baby food. We had five baskets, and Nugget carefully chose who she wanted to be the recipients. It was decided that we would share the May Day love with Daddy, a playmate, two neighbors, and herself. Sometimes, its really hard to part with all that fabulous loot, and I was totally okay with her feeling some special love today too.

I gave Nugget a briefing on how to sneak up to the door, place the basket on the step, ring the doorbell, and then run like the dickens. She giggled in delight and was ready to go.

She chose to deliver her friend Alice's basket first. It was awesome. But we had to be extra sneaky as the garage was up and the front door was wide open, signaling that we could be busted on a moments notice. She did great, tip toeing up to the door, setting the basket down....but then she froze. Just stood there. With their door all wide open. So I quickly scooped her up, rang the doorbell, and we high tailed it outta there. I got a message from Alice's mom upon our return home that read
"Oh my goodness that was sooooo awesome! Alice screamed she was so excited! She is enjoying a glass of strawberry milk now!!  Nugget has to be having a blast! Thank you!" Made me smile.

I must say it is quite an awesome feeling to deliver happiness to others, especially when it comes in the form of making memories with my girl. I know she's gonna remember it and talk about it for a long time to come.

Our next stop was Daddy, in which we decided not to be discreet, because we all love to see him midday. My kids shoved as much of his candy in their mouths as they could, and we were off.

Our third and fourth stops were to neighbors. We got busted at one, as they were leaving the house right as we were approaching, but they were still surprised and touched by the thoughtfulness. The last one was delivered as a family after dinner, cause Daddy wanted in on the fun. I don't think anyone was home when we rang, but that's okay. More getaway time ;)

I wish we could have done even more, as we hardly even scratched the surface of people whose day we would have liked to brighten. But four was the perfect amount for my wee ones. And we even found that someone delivered one to us during nap time! (Thanks Gullicksons, you tickled her pink!)

With all the fun May Day brought us today, I think its pretty safe to say we just adopted ourselves a new tradition, one that we will not let slip by anymore!

LIFE IS GOOD. BUT IT SUCKS TO BE SICK.

Everyone in my family has gotten the flu bug at some time or another this late winter/early spring. Every time it took one of them out, I prayed that it would have mercy on me. Mamas can never afford to be sick, ya know? I've been pretty lucky, miraculously avoiding it. Until this week. I thought for sure my number was up. I've had a constant headache for four days, a few dizzy spells here and there, and I slept with a bucket by my side last night. But it never came. That's the worst. You know how you just wish it would hit you so you could feel better and move on? I don't know what's bringing me down this week, but I do know that I am not pregnant. Yes, one could make that assumption given the stated above symptoms, but I have ruled it out because I peed on a stick this morning and those suckers don't lie. So, I'm left to pray that whatever this is goes away soon, and if not, I'm holding out hope that my chiropractor has some answers next week, when I can finally get in.

I state all that to remind myself to not take being healthy and feeling energetic for granted. When I'm knocked down on the couch holding an ice pack to my head, all I can think about is how much it sucks to feel yucky and of all the things I want to or should be doing instead of lying there. And my kids. My poor kids. They need me and don't understand why I'm cranky and carrying a bucket at my side.

It's also given me a glimpse of what it will be like to be pregnant while also caring for two small children. Pregnancy and I do not mix well for the first, I don't know, eighteen weeks or so. Lord have mercy on me when I have to cross that bridge for real. Why must women suffer like that?!

Anyways, we've managed to squeeze in some fun, in between my aliments this week.

***
My kids have taken a liking to small spaces. And bring naked. You've got to pick and choose your battles, and I am totally okay with my kids being comfortable and free in their own home.

 Repurposing our foot stool.

 My kids go bananas for forts.

Laundry basket beds are pretty cozy. That is if you are three or under and can actually fit in one.

Here's a little fun the whole family is sure to enjoy. Go on a scavenger hunt. I printed this one from Pinterest, and made a pair of binoculars by stapling two toilet paper tubes together and attaching a long piece of ribbon. Nugget thought it was the greatest thing ever. Every time she spied one of her pictured items, she excitedly exclaimed "Cross it off!". I think we found all but a bus.

I've been watching and waiting for this day. A chance to share with my girl a fond memory from my own childhood. Except I remember actually putting on my bathing suit and going "swimming" in it. Yikes. Too bad this happened the day after my girl was taken down by a little stomach bug and I not feeling up to par. It wasn't quite the romp I had hoped for, but we still slipped into our rain boots and frolicked in the water.

Flushing out the fire hydrant across from our house.

Brother had his first run in with concrete this week. Let's just say he didn't win the fight.

It happened when we were over at a friends house for a play date. He was getting a gentle ride in a little fire truck, pushed by one of Nugget's friends. I think it involved making a turn and Brother not knowing the importance of holding on, and out the side he toppled, met by a face plant onto the driveway. He wouldn't let me hold ice to it, so it actually got quite a bit worse than pictured here, but scabbed up quickly and looks better already. Other than the initial impact, he hasn't seemed bothered by it, even when he woke up the next moring with his eye almost swollen shut. Poor dude.

And today, on our way home from having a picnic lunch with Daddy at work, we stopped at a few garage sales where we scored big. I filled a grocery bag with quality clothing for the little man for only $18, and Nugget scored the ride of her life for $7.

I'm thinking it will serve well as a winter boredom buster, no? Brother loves it too. It's funny watching a one year old learn to jump. For now he just stands on it and bends his knees. So cute.

This weekend holds promises of dance class followed by a trip to the bakery with dance friends, then getting some work done around the house/yard. Oh yes, and evening Mad Men marathons with my man. Can't wait.

SNIPPETS.

Bits and pieces of our lives the past few weeks...
Nugget did her own hair and was so proud...

After nap one day, Nugget brought me one of her Animal Baby magazines, opened to a craft page in the back, and said "I want to make this". With Brother still asleep, we printed off the materials from the website, and went to work. The love of raccoons continues....

Brother is really interested in feeding himself recently, using plates and utensils like a big kid. He is surprisingly a pretty clean eater, but he does need some practice drinking from a water jug. Case in point, soaking wet pajamas. But he was SO proud of himself. Gotta love independence.

Fact: Bubbles are fun, whether you're 1 or 3 or 29.

 

Nick took us on a weekend adventure to Fort Snelling, where we enjoyed the gorgeous day and explored...

Brother can spy a bird or a plane from a mile away...

Melt my heart, why dontchya...

Brother continues to add moves to his dance repertoire...here he's doing the 'turn around while doing arm circles' move. After a turn or two he gets too dizzy and falls over.

Our bathroom remodel is dragging on, although we are thisclose to completion. In the meantime, I'm looking past the mess and smiling at these dimpled baby buns. Who can resist?

BUDDING BALLERINA.

A couple weeks ago, Nugget had pictures taken at dance. I wasn't sure what to expect, as parents were not allowed into the studio. We got them back this weekend, and I am surprisingly impressed. Look at my budding ballerina and her beautiful form!

Saturday Morning Dance Crew (3-4 year olds)

Back L to R: Lacey, Amy, Nugget

Front L to R: Olivia, Emily, Abby

EASTER.

Easter was pretty laid back for us this year. The kids woke in the morning and discovered the Easter bunny had paid a visit and left them some awesome baskets overflowing with goodies.

Nugget especially loved her princess Polly Pockets...

And Brother wanted to eat his treats right away.

That Easter bunny is pretty impressive, knowing just what my kids love most!

Nugget spotted some eggs hidden outside in the garden, so we wandered out there to get a closer look.

Later in the morning Nugget and I went to church, while Nick stayed back with the sleeping little man. We headed to my Mom's after lunch for some family time, and Nugget got her fill of cousins.

And that was our Easter. Pretty quiet compared to some, but a fun day nonetheless.