Hi there!
I’m writing this to you from my comfy couch while swathed in unattractive, mismatched pajamas and fuzzy socks. I just finished my pint of Haagen-Dazs’ toasted coconut caramel (phenomenal flavor combo). The Hubs is fighting some hideous beast in his video game, and I’m halfway through a novel I started yesterday.
What’s that, you say? Where are the two little munchkins who usually prevent this sort of torpid, slothful behavior? They’re with…
THE GRANDPARENTS!!
Whoo!
We are halfway through my husband’s Christmas gift from my parents: The Ultimate Weekend. And, wow, this is definitely the Christmas present all young parents need to add to their lists.
I know, I know, we should have regular date nights. It’s a lovely thought, but, man! It can get pricey. And we like to handle the burden of bath/bed time, so, for a typical date night, we’ll squeeze in an early-bird dinner with the senior-menu crowd before rushing home for baths and night-night routines. Not exactly a traditional night of romance.
Plus, frankly, it’s easier to simply follow the kids’ bedtime routines, get them to sleep, then enjoy a few hours together. We’re ever thankful to our children (and to their Creator) for gifting us with well-sleeping babes.
So, the weekend actually began on Friday after lunch. With the kids loaded in the back seat of my parents’ truck (“Papa’s BIG truck!” according to my daughter), I tried to gently explain to Olivia exactly what was happening and when she’d see me again, how much fun she’d have, etc. Yeah, she basically said, “Bye, Mama! Close door!” and drove off into the sunset. Well, so much for that.
I then hit the grocery store, shot off a text to the hubby, and spent too much on two-days’ worth of junk food. When I got home, I didn’t even have to put it away! No children would see and beg for it. What a concept!
I then took the free afternoon and cleaned out my kids’ playroom. Yes, that wasn’t overly glamorous, but it was so much easier to do when they weren’t watching and wondering why certain toys didn’t make it into the “keep” pile. A yard sale is happening next weekend, so everyone hold onto your belongings!
We ordered Chinese food via Bite Squad (thanks for the gift card, Mama, Sr.!), and vegged while watching Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (i.e. the funniest movie in at least five years).
I had this great ambition to stay up “until at least 4 a.m.!” I told my husband last night. Yeah, I dozed off on the couch while reading and took myself to bed by 10:15 p.m. Par-taaaay! I did sleep until 9 a.m., though. My body didn’t know how to handle all of that sleep.
Then, we stayed in our pjs all day, watched each other play video games (hello, Kingdom Hearts 3!), and read. I literally ate Smartfood popcorn for lunch, because, you know, #Adulting! I just want to #humblebrag for a moment and say we did change out of our pajamas around 4 p.m. to go for a neighborhood job. That counterbalances all those calories and hours on the couch, right?
Then we went to an actual date-y Italian restaurant, gorged on garlic bread, and returned home to finish our pints of Haagen-Dazs.
It’s been fairly idyllic, especially in the midst of an out-of-state move. I’m beyond appreciative of my parents. I know they adore my kids and would do anything for them and us, but, wow, this was a lovely, lovely gift.
Also, a little distance certainly makes the heart grow fonder. We’ve spent a fair amount of time reminiscing about how adorable our children are. I can’t wait to see those little goobers tomorrow…after another 11 hours of sleep, preferably.
Currently Reading:
A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander – I finished Ms. Alexander’s A Note Yet Unsung in about 24 hours earlier this week (I did not use my free time wisely!), and thoroughly enjoyed it. I then checked this beauty out from the library. I think Tamera Alexander weaves beautiful stories and sweet romances.