Date Night

Ah, the perfect setting, sometimes you wait weeks for this night, but in the end, it's all worth it to spend some quality one on one time with your sweetheart. No, not that sweetheart. I'm talking about date night with your kids. Wait, what? Isn't the point to spend time with your hubby without the kids? Well, yes, you should go on dates with the hubs, he kinda likes spending time with you too, but if you have kids (especially more than one), it's nice to go out on dates with them individually as well.

We've started a new tradition in our house and every other Friday, Jim and I each go out on a date with one of our girls. Then the next time, we switch. Now that the girls are old enough, we thought it would be a fun way for them to get to spend some one on one time with us.

Our first night out, Jim took Peri and I had Ryah. We went to different restaurants for dinner then different stores so that each of the girls could pick out a gift for her sister. Peri chose some new jammies for Ryah and Ryah picked out a princess frog shirt for Peri. The girls had a blast and it was nice getting to spend some alone time together.

This past weekend was round two. I had Peri this time around. We had a lovely dinner at Panera Bread then off to Barnes and Noble where she picked out a new book about the Tooth Fairy. Food and books, two of Peri's favorite things. I could have spent more time at the bookstore, but when your child starts complaining to wandering sales people that it's time to go, it's time to go. She had fun though and loves her new book.

The kids are so different in what interests them, so it's going to be fun coming up with different things to do. Peris' dates will likely be creative with crafts, books, movies and going to the theatre while Ryah is more active and will enjoy things like skating, parks and sports. It'll be nice to change things up for myself too and I know Jim's having fun as well. Having it regularly scheduled is great too because we all know it's coming and we look forward to it.

We're redefining date night in our house and having fun with the possibilities. Not to mention, we don't even need to find a sitter. :o)










Originally written for The Mama Dramalogues

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Shop Spotlight ~ 1crown3tiaras

An inspiration in fabrics and craftsmanship, the beautiful clothes

made by 1 Crown 3 Tiaras are definite eye candy! In sizes from

six months to 5T, you are sure to find that something special for fall in

this amazing shop!

1crown3tiaras

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EtsyKids Design Challenge for September: Orange Spice

Each month EtsyKids Team members are challenged to create a unique item within a chosen theme. "Orange Spice" is our challenge for September, picked by our last month's winner georgiablue. Shades of copper, auburn, peach, ginger, terracotta, amber. Orange is found in nature in the changing leaves of fall, the setting sun, pumpkins and the skin of a citrus fruit.

EtsyKids members will have until September 19th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from Tuesday, September 21st to Monday, September 27th. So, be sure to come back to the EtsyKids blog for a new post on the 21st to see all of the entries and VOTE! In the meantime, please click here to get a sneak peek at some exciting entries so far!

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Creative Weekend Inspiration

With two toddlers in tow and a business to run, I have to say I do not get to read much. It's not that I don't enjoy reading, I love it. I just haven't figured out how to double the hours in a day. Not yet :) There was a point when things changed in our economy that I thought I would need to return to teaching. Yup, I was a teacher, and a juvenile probation officer before that! I was asked during an interview what books I had read lately. Seriously? Books? Well, one not to tell a lie, I had to admit that the only book I had even remotely read in the past year was "What to Expect in the First Year" and I hadn't even read all of that - just the dog eared pages of my emergency grabs when I remembered I even had the book and that it might help in whatever infant/toddler emergency I was then facing. Uh, some of the pages are quite worn. We all got a good laugh in that interview and it was smooth sailing the rest of the hour I spent there, honesty works! And as enjoyable an interview that was with that kind of icebreaker, I did not take the job and was able to stay home with my babies after all, hallelujah and thanks honey! All of this to say that I do come across a good read once in awhile, despite our hectic schedule, and running a children's catering company lends itself to these types of finds:



I thought you might enjoy it as much as I do ~ I have not yet made a cake pop but this video will show you how it's done and I can't wait to get my hands on the book!

Bakerella's Cake Pop How-To

I was not paid to make this announcement. I wouldn't mind getting paid. I didn't mind making the announcement. Have any fun reads for long weekends with kids in mind? Let us know!

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Fall is coming and Ive got the Organizing bug again

Too bad It doesn't stick around long...hee hee! I wanted to share one of the most helpful tutorials I have ever found online. It's a tutorial for fabric folding and it's so simple but will change your life! I not only use this technique with my fabric but also with clothes and boy does it make a difference! AND once you get used to it - you can eye it and won't need the guide anymore YAY! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Holiday Weekend! For the tutorial CLICK HERE!

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Little Cheerleader Pom-Pom's - How-To

Football season will be in full swing this weekend! If your family is one who loves to cheer on the home team, this is the project for you! Perfect for home games, parades, imaginative play, and much more, young and old a like will enjoy getting in the spirit of the event with one or two of these in hand.

These pom-poms are easy to make and eco-friendly, allowing you to re-use everyday items you will likely have on hand ... and if you don't improvisation is always a good thing! The instructions were published in Family Fun magazine last summer and are available here. You might notice that we had to do a little improvisation when making the one pictured. Because of a strict event budget, dowel rods were quickly abandoned, so we turned to a local fast food restaurant who donated a box of extra tall drinking straws. Perfect! Three extra tall drinking straws taped together held the weight of our recycled grocery bags very nicely.
Hummm, maybe I need to take a dozen or so to the kids soccer games?

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of this month's challenge 2. Paisley by georgiablue!

Georgia Blue is an elegant store filled with adorable hair accessories for little girls. Frayed fabric rosettes, classy headbands, clips and bows in delightful selection of patterns and colors, all hand made by a talented stay at home mother of four. Check it out here!

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