Special Night Out with Daddy

We try to find time to take each girl out individually for some quality Mommy and/or Daddy time.  It is important to shower them with our love in the absence of their sisters.  Just recently, it was Lila's turn.  A couple weeks back we decided to purchase Elmo Live tickets for Lila and Daddy.  To put a new spin on the outing, we purchased tickets for Lila's good friend and her daddy too.  It was a double date!  I am trying to pay more attention to friendships and play dates for the little ones now that they are nearing Kindergarten age.  This was a perfect opportunity. 

Unfortunately, Lila's friend and daddy backed out which left Alex and Lila with two spare tickets.  As many of you know by now, Lila has an affinity for Ernie.  While most children of this age are growing out of Sesame Street, my Lila is not.  This left us with few options when trying to decide who else to invite.  Then, much to our surprise, Adeline piped up with a, "I want to go.  I like Elmo.  Lila, I go with you?  It will be fun Lila!"  Well that decided it.  Lila's special night out was going to include Adeline.  Luckily, the two get along so well that having the other in tow  just makes times like these more fun.  We will have to find another opportunity for the undivided attention piece.

The girls had a great time with their daddy.  Later that evening, I heard them burst through the door.  Two very smiley faces proceeded to tell me how funny it was when Ernie played his horn and Bert fell down.  In their hands, they held tight to very large Elmo balloons that cost Daddy $20.00 and 20 minutes of standing in line at the ATM machine. 

Here are a couple of pictures before the show and some during.  Although we can't check off a special night out with just Lila or Lila and a friend, I think we succeeded in making Lila feel special.  While Ernie didn't have a strong presence in the show, it was enough.  It doesn't take much to please these two and a special night out with Daddy will always do the trick. 

75 Degrees and Winning Me Over

Usaully I am pretty pumped to spring our clocks ahead.  This year was different for some reason.  I found myself enjoying the dark and quiet our winter nights had to offer.  We ate dinners early and then settled into some of our best family time.  With no distractions or lingering around outside, we were one as a family.  We conversed over dinner and even found ourselves still talking after the food had long since been cleared.  I had ample opportunity to reinforce the girls' therapies and also found the time to hang with my big girl.  There was just something about the dark descending early which made us hunker down and really enjoy each other.

Last weekend, when we lost our dark and quiet nights, I could only think of missed bedtimes, tired girls, and divided time with friends in the cul-de-sac.  Of course, outside time with neighbors has huge value but I just wasn't ready to share my kiddos yet.

Today, it was 75 degrees.  Today, all three of my girls were home.  Today, we rode bikes, played on the playground, and were outside as a family until 7:00 p.m.  It wasn't so bad.  In fact, it was pretty great.  Sure enough, dinner was late and the kids weren't in bed until close to 10:00 p.m. but it is Friday.  Who's counting.

In the end we are going to trade our quiet and punctual nights for days like this.

Here is a run down of our day in pictures.

Miss Savannah is on spring break which allowed for some special Mommy and Savannah time at Longwood Gardens.  Spring was certainly in the air!

Lila Grace had her first official playdate. Official meaning that I don't know the family which indicates the friendship was formed on her own accord. Here she is with her special friend from school.

It was so hot on the deck that we had to get the water table out. That resulted in the girls setting up a pretend party with dishes full of water.

Once we were officially soaked, Savannah and Adeline snuggled up for some special reading time.

Of course there were many more moments but those weren't caught on film. I did manage to take a picture of my absolute dream child (we are still holding our breath to see if this new disposition is going to stick) snuggled up with me on the couch. She is so funny.