Mommy dates

Today I took a break from the everyday school and cleaning and bossing around and proclaimed it "Mommy date" day. Possibly the best thing I've done in a long time.

First off was Mason. I didn't tell any of the kids what we were doing until they were in the car with me - I didn't want the other kids getting jealous. :) First off we went out for breakfast (we left the house just before 9 a.m. - I am incredibly proud of myself for that!) at IHOP. It was a pretty big deal - Mason's was SO excited about going to a restaurant!

My goal for my time with him was to have some positive experiences together. It seems so much lately that whenever I talk to him it's because I'm annoyed or frustrated at what he isn't doing right. And I'm not okay with that. He's pretty awesome and amazing and fantastic, and me thinking that of him hasn't been coming through. We talked and laughed and played the silly games on the back of the menu. Then we went to Target so I could get him his first brand-new-never-been-worn-not-from-a-thrift-store pants in about 7 years. No holes and they actually fit him! (I think this idea of having an income is going to my head a little bit.) He wasn't nearly as excited about the jeans as I was, but he loved having my undivided attention.

Next up was Elise. She did know what we were doing...at least part of it. We went to the dance store and got a couple of pairs of pointe shoes. She's been really excited to try out a new style (Russian Pointe), and was even more excited to find a pair that fit her perfectly (Rubin). Okay, so 'perfectly' is not quite true...one of her feet is bigger than the other, but since we planned on getting two pair anyhow, we just got one larger pair and one smaller pair. Wal-ah! And now they are perfect. She has spent much of the rest of the day sewing on her elastic and ribbon and breaking them in (and admiring how they make her foot look so beautiful in the mirror).

Her surprise was going out to lunch at Panera Bread. On my date with Mason I left Ruth at home, but brought her on my date with Elise. We ooh-ed and aah-ed over her and had a great time talking over lunch. She is such a delightful girl who is growing into a delightful young woman. 13 in June! I can hardly believe it!

We came home to drop off Elise and pick up Sammy. Then off to Walmart to pick up his glasses (gotta love the one-year warranty!), then off to Costco. Sammy is so easy going and easy to please, I knew he'd be fine doing anything, so we ran errands while talking. And talk he did! He, too, loves my undivided attention, but doesn't ever demand it, and is always willing to sacrifice what he wants for someone else.

In fact, the other day he opened the mail and found a coupon for Cherry Berry, as it happened, right as we were passing said store. We passed it again today and I suggested that we stop there since he was so excited about going there. He said no, he'd rather go with everyone because everyone would enjoy it. I kind of pressed the idea, knowing he really did want to go, but he was firm in his decision. So into Costco (with Ruth in the cart) and then his food treat: the swirled chocolate & vanilla frozen yogurt. He thought it was the best thing ever, but as always, saved some for those at home. I love my Sammy!

As soon as we pulled in the garage Lincoln popped out of the house, ready for his date. We couldn't leave right away, because little Ruth needed to eat, but once she was done I left her in Elise's capable (and willing) hands and took Lincoln to Walmart to buy a new minion shirt. He loves the minions from "Despicable Me", and a few months or so ago found a minion shirt at Walmart, but I wouldn't buy it for him. Today he got it, and my $4 couldn't have been spent for a more grateful boy!

He requested french fries for his treat, but he didn't want to eat them all alone, no, he knew everyone loved french fries so asked that we take them home and eat them with the rest of the kids. What a sweetheart! That's what we did, and everyone was glad. :)

Trevor's date was going to the car wash. However, I didn't have any cash, and didn't know the car wash only took cash until after we had waited 25 minutes to get to the front of the line. Annoying for me, and very sad for Trev. So we turned to retail therapy and found a couple of great puzzles and books at the thrift store. He's happy with so little!

I love spending time with my kids. They are each pretty awesome, and so, so different!