This last week I had the awesome pleasure of taking not one, not two, but all THREE of my boys out on dates with just me. As in it was just me and Dawson. Then me and Harry, and finally me and Branson…together without any other distractions. Can I just say it was pure HEAVEN?
Although I feel I’m pretty good at making sure I spend time with my kids by planning lots of fun outings, trips, and vacations. Most of those are with the whole FAMILY. So last week I decided it was high time that I got out for some one on one with some of my favorite little people. Unfortunately I didn’t get a single picture from any of my dates as my camera has been acting up – but hopefully this blog can act as my journal in helping me remember these special moments together.
For Dawsons Date we decided to hit up our local “Wild Flower” restaurant where Dawson ordered a corn dog, tater tots, a lemonade, and ice cream cone. Then for our activity Dawson asked to go to a park to play. Peteetneet park to be exact. Here are some things I want to remember.
1) Dawsons face as it lit up as I asked him questions about some of his favorite things while sharing ice cream.
2) Dawson giggling uncontrollably as I pushed him on the swing, did underdogs, and ticked him each time he came near me.
3) Racing Dawson up to the slides and having him beat me down every time.
4) How Dawson wanted to go to the top of the Peteetneet building to see the bell – and how we unfortunately weren’t able to get into the building.
My date with Harry happened the following day at 4:00 and for his date we decided to get dinner at Simply Juicy in Salem and then hit up a movie. Harry ordered quesadillas with a side salad and drink and then picked out a coconut cupcake for dessert. For our movie we decided to go to the Spanish 8 theaters to see Madagascar 3. Harry had already seen it (but I hadn’t) so I bribed Harry that I would buy him popcorn if he would go see it with me again. That sealed the deal and I also threw in a licorice rope for good measure. Harry couldn’t have been more excited!
Things I want to remember…
1) Harry informing me he is tired of telling me about his favorite things (as I’m asking him in the car) and asking if we can just play star wars instead. When I ask how we play – he informs me that I have a pretend gun and he has a light saber and we make gun noises and pretend that he is disarming me of body parts. Harry giggles and laughs and loves me saying things like “Oh no how am I going to drive without my arm.”
2) Harry’s excitement at getting popcorn and candy at the movies. Who knew something so little could make him so happy.
3) Watching Harry go up to the front of the theater and dance after the movie was over and credits were playing to “I like to Move it, move it.” A mother with her kids also went up and he decided to join them. We were all shaking it like a Polaroid picture. Cutest thing ever.
After the movie I took Harry home and then it was Branson’s turn. For our date we went to the movies here in Payson to see “Hotel Transylvania” (which was super cute). Branson was so serious during the whole movie whenever I’d look over at him, and often wouldn’t even react to really funny parts of the movie, so I would tickle him to get him to loosen up. He said he really liked the movie though. Afterwards we went and got some ice cream at Maddie Rocks – which we eat in the car. I asked Branson all about school and his friends, and what he likes to do during recess and came to find out that a lot of the boys play pokemon. I was surprised to learn that its not just trading cards but a game of sorts. So I made the suggestion that we go and buy a deck of cards at our local Walmart and he teach me to play. He was extactic about this idea and loved getting pokemon cards of his very own.
Things I want to remember…
1) At the beginning of each date I told the boys that they could talk about anything they wanted. When I asked Branson what he would like to talk about on our date he said he wanted to know what some of my favorite food were. And later when I asked him again what he wanted to talk about he asked me another question about myself. I just thought it was so cute, thoughtful, and considerate. What a special little boy I have.
2) Going through the Toy isles of Walmart and talking about all the different toys Branson liked. He loved just walking each isle and seeing so many fun things and telling me about them. He especially liked the bike section and showed me a few “bigger bikes” he would love me to get for him someday. And yet, he didn’t beg for any or get upset that we didn’t buy any. He just enjoyed looking at them and dreaming. Thats my boy.
Sure was wonderful to be able to spend some quality time with my little fellers. What a blessing they are in my life.