Day off?

As a mom, I don't get any "days off". And, I'll admit that I don't usually want many days off--I love what I do, I love my kids, and I generally love life. But, a break from it all? Well, sometimes even the best momma needs some time away! And, usually a date night with my husband or just a little time apart from the boys gives me exactly what I need.
I don't know if it's been the weather, or the boys, or the fact that Eric has been working a little extra, or if it's just me--but whatever the reason, I've been craving a day off recently. For the past week, I've been excitedly looking forward to Saturday, when Eric and I had secured my parents for babysitting, and planned a little afternoon date for ourselves. And then, as it turned out, the afternoon wasn't quite as relaxing and rejuvinating as I'd hoping. And it was by no fault of anyone--it simply ended up being more rushed and crowded and noisy than I'd hoped. We spent our afternoon together--and while it was enjoyable, I wasn't quite ready to come back to "mom duty" when it was time.
Sunday was the same way--it was a good day, but nothing spectacular. I was still craving a break, but had resigned myself that it simply wasn't going to happen this weekend. Maybe next week?
This week of school was originally scheduled to be Eric's spring break, but because of a few previous snow days, he now has to work. Then, ironically, yesterday was yet another snow day! And, despite the spring calendar date combined with a few inches of slushy snow on the ground, we had a fabulous day together! The day "off" that I thought I was craving? Well, as it turned out, what I really needed was a fun family day--kids included, no schedules!
By the time we all got up, dressed, and fed, the roads were completely clear, so we decided to make a day of it, and head for Trader Joe's (about an hour away) with the boys. If you know me well, you know that I like schedules and carefully planned itineraries--not surprises, and certainly not unplanned roadtrips with two little boys! I will admit that when we took a little longer than planned to get the boys ready and packed into the car, I considered just calling the whole thing off. I just knew that attempting a trip an hour away in such a last-minute manner was begging for disaster. What about naps? And snacks? And potty breaks?! But, I bit my tongue and resigned myself to a day free from schedules. We piled into the car, and our adventure began...
Before we had kids, Eric and I often drove an hour away for dinner or shopping. We enjoyed our time together in the car--time to talk and be together without anyone interupting. I guess we started our car habit all the way back in high school when we didn't have anywhere else to go and be alone, so we just drove around talking. It's relaxing, fun, and something special that we've always done (albeit often a waste of gasoline, but hey, high schoolers aren't known for their frugality!)
Since we've had kids, car rides aren't exactly the same--they're full of passing around sippy cups, snack/diaper breaks, numerous interuptions, and we certainly never drive around solely for the sake of driving around. Even more so since Levi was born (and began his vocalizing his deep hatred of the carseat)! So, it was with this mindset that we began out trip yesterday--I was eager to go, but dreading the moment that the whole day blew up in our laps. (And, I was sure that something would happen--there is no way we can take a completely unplanned trip without something terrible happening....right?)
As it turned out, we spent the day together completely disaster free! Levi took his morning nap in the car, and we arrived at the store easily. Nate loved riding in the car for an hour--he had ample time to watch the trucks and buses and cars that he so loves! Eric and I talked and talked--with only the occasional "TRUCK! TRUCK!" interuption. We spent almost two hours in Trader Joe's, perusing every single item on their shelves--and buying enough groceries to last us a good long time! By the time we left, both of the boys were getting crabby (and, I was a teensy bit nervous that my expected disaster was impending...). As it turns out, they were just hungry! I nursed Levi, then we stopped for lunch at Max & Erma's. We ate (oh, their tortilla soup!), took a potty break, then piled back into the car with full bellies. Within minutes of being on the road, both boys were asleep--and they stayed asleep until we arrived home!
Eric and I chatted during the trip, and it was as if we were teenagers again--on a day trip to anywhere, but with the addition of our greatest blessings right in the backseat! No disasters--not even a temper tantrum or a potty accident! My "day off" didn't come in the form of a day at the spa or a fancy date night with my husband. Rather, it came in the form of a day out with my family, and a little risk-taking on my part. Maybe, just maybe, I can stop stressing about the unplanned and unexpected because maybe it's not always bad! Maybe the very best days are the ones that turn out exactly opposite of the way that I plan! Maybe the best dates are the ones that have no schedules or reservations or high heels, but involve nursing a baby in the car while awkwardly shielding oneself from a carload of elderly gentlemen enjoying their sandwiches in the adjacent car, and three trips to the public restroom with a toddler who will only pee if promised a chocolate chip cookie.

Eric, thank you for taking us out yesterday! Thank you for assuring me that the boys will be fine, that I will survive, and that we might even have a good day together--even if we miss naptime! Thank you for always being the calm to my crazy, and for being a super dad to our boys. You are the greatest, and I love talking to you in the car!
XOXOXO

Weekend Love.

We spent our weekend celebrating autumn and spending lots of family time. We attended our local fall festival and county fair on both Friday evening and Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon/evening, Eric and I had a date night, while the boys spent some quality time with Nana and Grandpa. Then, as if to celebrate a wonderful weekend, Levi slept wonderfully on Saturday night!

Prom.

My husband is chaperoning our local high school prom right now, while I'm sitting at home in my pajamas, drinking hot tea, and blogging. Nine years ago, we were attending this same high school's prom together--but not "together." It's funny how things can change so very much in such a relatively short period of time, isn't it?
During our senior year of high school, Eric and I spent a lot of time together. I had quite a crush on him, and eventually he developed a mutual one. We dated for a very short period of time, and then he broke things off (about 2 weeks before the prom) because he was afraid that our relationship would ruin our friendship. In his words, "You're such a good friend, and I don't want to lose you. I know that by dating, we will eventually break up--and then things will be too weird to be friends." My response: "How do you know we'll break up? Maybe we'll keep dating, get married, and someday have a couple of kids!" In hindsight, that probably wasn't the wisest thing to say to a 17-year-old boy. We broke up.
But, for some reason unbeknownst to me, Eric still asked me to be his date for prom. I still remember getting up that morning to go to my hair appointment, anxiously applying my make-up at home, getting into the dress (I was convinced that it was the most beautiful dress in the world!), and feeling nervous butterflies in my stomach when I heard the doorbell ring! But, as soon as I opened the door and we got past the awkward hellos, the exchange of flowers, and the multitude of photographs in my front yard, things were normal. We were in the car (it didn't matter to where), and we were together. I remember talking to him, and simply enjoying his company again. We visited Eric's parents at their restaurant to show off our finery (I remember his mom wanted to see my shoes!), and then stopped at his grandparents' house to do the same. (That was the first time that I'd met Eric's grandparents, and I really didn't expect to see them again. Who would have guessed that we'd be taking our little boy over to that same house for them to spoil 9 years later?)

We ate our pre-prom dinner with two other couples at a local church that regularly hosted "teen night" events. We'd agreed to to come to the catered dinner as a favor to a friend who promised us that there would be "lots of people" there. The six of us had plenty to eat that night!
After dinner, we went to the dance. Honestly, I don't remember a whole lot about our senior prom. I remember talking to friends, taking a million pictures, and dancing with Eric. My most vivid memory is of us dancing the very last dance of the night together. He held me in his arms, we swayed back and forth, and we talked about some nonsense. I reallyreallyreally wanted him to kiss me! And, a few times, I thought he came close....but it didn't happen. At the end of the night, I felt a twinge of sadness because I "knew" that had been my last chance.
Eric did reconcile his lack of kissing me when we were in the car after the dance, by telling me that I looked beautiful that night, and he was sorry for not telling me so beforehand!
While my husband attends this prom alone, I am content to be here at home--listening for our sleeping baby, thinking about our own prom so long ago, and waiting for my husband. It is funny how things work out--that break-up meant to "preserve" our friendship? It completely ruined it for almost a year. After that, we decided to go ahead and give dating another try. Five years later, it turned into a marriage. Two years after that, Baby #1 arrived. And, in a few short months, Baby #2 is due to arrive! And, I'm happy to report that our friendship is still very much in tact!