Spring Break Part 1

I've mentioned recently that Dan has been working A LOT. It's a busy time of year for him, so he's been leaving the house first thing in the morning and not returning until 10 or 11 at night. It's been a long, tiring few weeks for all of us, so when he came home Friday night we were over-the-moon about the fact that he would be on vacation for a full week.

Every day this week has been spent together as a family, getting quality time that we don't usually get in the rush, rush, rush of daily life. On Saturday morning we gave the kids leisurely baths, which is quite a luxury these days considering the fact that Joseph is usually screaming in his swing while I soap and rinse Stephanie as quickly as possible. Then Dan suggested we go out to breakfast, so we headed for a diner we had never been to before. The place was small, clean, and family friendly, and our kids were perfectly behaved. It is definitely easier to relax and enjoy a meal when your kids aren't having screaming temper tantrums or throwing food all over the place.

On Sunday we left the house at 10am and didn't return until 4 in the afternoon. We spent all day shopping for diapers, food, and household stuff. I can't remember the last time I was able to cross everything I need off of my list in one day. Shopping trips for me these days usually involve lugging both kids into a store and realizing that when they're both in the cart, I only have room for the barest of necessities. It was also nice to have an extra set of hands around to shuttle the kids in and out of the car, entertain them on long lines, and most importantly keep an eye on them while I went to the bathroom!

We lucked out with gorgeous weather this week, so on Monday we met up with a friend of mine and her two boys at the playground. We were in short sleeves and no coats thanks to the unseasonably mild temperatures. Dan and Stephanie ran around climbing, jumping and generally having a blast together while Joseph slept in his car-seat and I was able to chat with my friend. It was very relaxing, and so fun to see the joy on both my husband and my daughter's face. We capped that day off with a long stroller walk in the afternoon.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Dan came with us to story-time. Stephanie was thrilled to have her daddy there watching her as she sang songs, danced around, and even listened to the story. We went across the street to the playground afterwards, and then home for a nap. We went a pizzeria for dinner, and then our first ice-cream run of the year.

As important and fun all of this family time has been, we've also been balancing it with couple time, reminding ourselves that we were husband and wife before becoming Mommy and Daddy. A relationship needs attention and nurturing all the time, but especially when life gets busy and out-of-control like it has been for us lately. We knew we needed time for ourselves without the children, so on Friday when Dan came home from work at 8pm, he went out and got us a pizza. We sat at the table together at 9:00, eating and finally catching up on our lives from the past few weeks. I can't remember the last time we had an uninterrupted hour of talking like that!

On Saturday night we put the kids to bed, played a game of scrabble, and had a glass of wine. It was fun, relaxing, and we didn't need to leave the house. I highly recommend at home date nights!

On Tuesday night, Dan planned date night for us. He booked a babysitter (my sister) and set up plans for us to meet some friends at a local bar for trivia night. This bar has been a staple in our relationship from the very beginning. It was our go-to place in college, and before the kids came we were there every week for happy hour on Friday's. As soon as I walk in the door, i'm hit with memories of laughter, friends, and fun. We didn't end up winning the trivia game, but we had great company, good food, and a martini (ok, two!) for me.

This week has been just what we've needed as a family. Sometimes it can feel like we're hamsters on a wheel, doing the same routine day in and day out, over and over again. But when you have a chance to pause and just enjoy yourself for a few days, you realize that it's all worth it. If Dan hadn't been working so hard I don't know if we would have appreciated this week as much as we have been. The next time things get crazy busy, i'm going to remind myself of this and how these moments of family togetherness make it all worth it in the end.

Tweet