Twelve Dates of Christmas {nine}

On the ninth date of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A date night at home

Some of the best dates to me are ones spent at home. Its kind of like the best of both worlds. Spending time together and being in your pajamas! And since little miss is getting older every day, she is starting to give us our evenings back. Insert happy dance. Thus a date night at home. 

Given my total dork status, and the fact that I didn't consume any alcohol for 10 months, I asked for wine for Christmas. No joke. Ian and I got a case from his parents - score. And Ian gave me a bottle of port in my stocking. I love me some port!  We have been slowly* enjoying our spoils. Add cheese and crackers to that, and I had a wonderful little time with Ian at home.

* I am still breastfeeding, so I can't go crazy. Wait a second, I'm 30, maybe I have just learned to be reasonable and responsible and that's why I don't go crazy! 

Twelve Dates of Christmas {eight}

On the eighth date of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A date planned by Ian

that seemed to take a random course throughout the night.

We were in LA last week for my family's Christmas party and Ian wanted us to slip out while the kids were sleeping for some "us" time.  His idea? Hit up a trendy coffee shop just up the street from my parent's house.

This wasn't our first time at this place, but it was our first time being there when it wasn't super busy.  Because of this, I was able to snoop around at some of the crazy coffee accessories they sell. Really expensive machines and stuff from other countries. Coffee dorks like me think looking at that kind of stuff is fun. 

While sitting there talking (our coffee had been quickly gulped up) I couldn't help but think about food. Instantly my mind went to a taco truck that my parents introduced us to a while back. I suggested it to Ian and away we went. 

We ordered our tacos and sat down on milk crates (fun, right?!?) to wait for our food. Just then (at 10:45pm) Ian's phone rang. There was drama with someone claiming our tenants (we own a townhouse in Pasadena) were having a party. Because we were nearby and we wanted to see about this "party" ourselves, we ate our tacos, jumped in the car and headed to Pasadena. 

 

When we got there, there was no party to be had. Kind of what I expected. I personally think our HOA picks on our tenants, but that is a whole other story. So, we headed back to my parents. Our babies were sound asleep. Of course, one woke up as soon as we got home...she wanted her mama! 

 

It was a fun, albeit random, night. But that's just the way I like it.

Twelve Dates of Christmas {seven}

On the seventh date of Christmas, my true love gave to me I gave to my true love...

A quick coffee break

With both babes down for a nap, Ian made us lattes and we enjoyed a quick minute to ourselves. We could actually carry on a conversation (and hear ourselves think) in our own home. Pretty nice! 

 

Now I realize that Christmas is tomorrow and I am barely halfway thru my twelve dates of Christmas. But that's ok. It will just be the gift that keeps on giving. I'm not giving up. There will be twelve dates...hopefully finished before the end of January! 

Twelve Dates of Christmas {six}

On the sixth date of Christmas, my true love gave to me I gave to my true love...

A different date than planned

 

You see, given that we are on a budget and all, I couldn't afford for us to go out for all our dates. So, I planned something nice for us at home. I arranged for the kids to go over to my parents house and I was going to make Ian a nice dinner at home...that we could enjoy in peace. But, when Ian got home from work, he told me get got a little Christmas money from work, so we used that money to go out instead. It was a fun, unexpected surprise for me. 

 

 

We went for sushi. Yummy!  While at dinner, I managed to make Ian spit out beer all over, like something you would see in a movie. I said something (something not even that funny) while Ian was taking a drink. Apparently, he found it extra funny and couldn't contain his laughter. Thus beer everywhere. And, weird looks from people sitting by us. Because of this, neither of us could stop laughing until we left the restaurant. Good thing it happened at the end of our meal.

Twelve Dates of Christmas {five}

On the fifth date of Christmas, my true love gave to me I gave to my true love...

A very unexpected food date

We go to church on Saturday nights. Connor had a cold, so we had my in laws watch him so we could still go to church. That gave me an idea...have my in laws watch Connor a little longer and we could sneak in a date. So during church I slipped Ian a card letting him know of our surprise date.

After church, I let forced Ian to pick where to go to dinner. So to Tahoe Joes we went. It was a nice (and delicious) meal. And Isla slept thru most of the meal. It was a really enjoyable time. And this time, no one was sick!

Twelve Dates of Christmas {four}

On the fourth date of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A romantic outing

looking at Christmas lights

I haven't driven around and looked at Christmas lights in years. I must say, it was rather fun. I forgot how crazy some people go with the outside decorations. And those houses are SO MUCH FUN to look at. I almost want to put thank you notes on their doors for allowing me to enjoy their Christmas cheer lights.

It was fun watching Connor stare at the lights. Every time he caught me watching him, he would get all embarrassed and cover his face. So freaking cute! And that last picture of Connor, that's him standing in front of our front door, with my handy work in the background!

Twelve Dates of Christmas {three}

On the third date of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A coffee date with the kids! 

We went to Barnes & Noble. That way Connor could play with the train table and entertain himself a little. And Isla, well she slept for most of the time. Given that it was a date and all, we splurged and got ourselves some breakfast sandwiches along with our coffee. Yeah, we are crazy kids like that!

I am really enjoying this whole little "date" thing, even if all of them aren't true dates. If in the end Ian feels special, I succeeded. I have date number four all planned out. Hopefully it's a good one.

Twelve Dates of Christmas {two}

On the second date of Christmas, my true love gave to me...I mean, I gave my true love...

A wine night for two.

Sure, it didn't go exactly as planned. Things don't always rarely do with kids around! One kid cooperated. The other one, well, she wanted to be a part of the party. And she wanted to be held the whole stinking time. I love you Isla! 

I guess its the thought (and in this case, the partial action) that counts. We did get to each enjoy a glass of wine before little miss wouldn't leave us alone, so that is a plus. 

Next time I am thinking a babysitter is a must.

Twelve Dates of Christmas {one}

I got this idea here. But I added a twist to it. Every date is a surprise to Ian. He doesn't know when they are happening or what we are doing. Let the fun times begin!

With my parents in town for a night, I decided it would be a good time to start this new tradition. I also decided I will announce every date with a card. And this time, Ian got a little something sweet with his card...candy cane hershey's kisses. SO FREAKING GOOD. Connor was all about them too. He wasn't too happy that he was only allowed to have one. Such a hard life being two.

Off to Papa & Memaw's the kids went and out by ourselves we were.  We went to BJs for our first date. It didn't go quite as planned. You see, Ian was sick today. But he said he thought he was up for going out. So we still went out. Right when the appetizer was set on our table, Ian ran to the bathroom to throw up. Unfortunately the super good stuffed mushrooms (I still enjoyed them!) smelled really bad to sick Ian and made his lunch come up. But, being the good sport that Ian is, he didn't want to leave. So, we (well, me) enjoyed our dinner. Even if Ian didn't get to eat, it was nice having some alone time together.

And now my poor husband is asleep on the couch...it appears he has the flu. Bummer. Hopefully he will be better soon and ready for date number two.