Thursday, March 1, 2018

Daddy Daughter Dance 2018


After last year, J knew just what to look forward to this year!  She's been so excited!  I think she was happiest to go out to dinner with Adam and her friends.  My favorite moment was when I was doing her hair and nails and Adam walked in with a glass of apple juice for us served in wine glasses, she felt like such a big girl -- it was adorable! :)

















Thursday, February 16, 2017

Daddy Daughter Dance

Earlier this month, Adam took Jordyn to her first Daddy Daughter Dance.  She counted this day down from 40, so was so excited!  Confusing the DDD with her weekly Dance class, she asked me a couple of times how did was going to learn the routine! ;)  The day of, Cullyn and I picked up some jewelry a flower and some new shoes to surprise her with after school.  I did her hair and painted her nails and Adam got home just in time to pick her up for dinner with friends before the dance.  

















I got a couple of video & photo updates through the night and I'm confident she had the time of her life!  That was also the night of her very first successful sleepover at a friend's house.  Although I'm not surprised, because she just loves Tyri!  :)

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

February Dates + Deeds | 2016

DATES

Adam | I watched Adam's bank play at Scooters the beginning of the month, we had a few lunch dates, and a home date.
Me | I got a few dates this month!  I went to our monthly 'dance moms' outing {Jethro's this month} The next week met a good friend for appetizers and drinks at Centro before we went upstairs to see the 'Realish Housewives of Waukee'!  The last Sunday of the month, I went shopping wiih my MIL, and SIL's for the afternoon. 
Kids | The kids and I joined our friends for a day at the Iowa City Children's Museum


Jordyn | My mom and I took Jordyn to La Mie Bakery and then to her class at the Art Center one Saturday morning.  We also went out for ice cream after her eye exam. 
 


Cullyn | I picked Cully up early and we went to lunch at Which-wich and then spend the afternoon feeding the ducks. 
Family | We went bowling!

DEEDS
This month we donated toiletry & clothing items to poor and homeless people in need through the West Des Moines Social Services and Joppa Outreach.  I really wanted to take the kids to a nursing home and hand out flowers {at the awesome suggestion of a reader, thank you!}, but with Valentine's day being on a weekend, it just didn't work out schedulewise, so I'm hoping to do this next year!

Did you do any dates or RAoK this month?  If so, share below...I love new ideas! :)

Thursday, February 4, 2016

January Dates + Deeds | 2016

I've had so much fun on our monthly Dates & Deeds in 2015, that I'm continuing it.
DATES 
Adam | Earlier this month friends invited us to a Drake Basketball game, which we had never done before.  We had a catered meal ahead of time followed by a close game of basketball.  Last Saturday, my sister and bil offered to watch our kids so Adam and I could attend the ASEDJ Christmas Party.  My niece stopped by and curled my hair and we ended up having so much more fun than we ever expected! Drinks, dinner, dancing & catching up with old friends.  There was also a Friday night earlier in the month that we put the kids to bed and watched a movie while snacking on a charcuterie plate. 

Jordyn | I took Jordyn to one of her favorite spots...Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  She is so adorable when she's there.  She usually asks for a different kind each time, and grabs a table like it's her second home. After smoothies, we went to the library to read, play with Legos, and check out books.  When we were there she ran up to a truck book and said she had to get it for Cullyn because she just knew he would love it. So sweet!! 
Cullyn | Cullyn got the first date of the year and he was so excited about it!  I took him to the play time and story hour that our church facilitates on Wednesday mornings. His highlight was definitely playing with the fireman dress up outfit.  He asked to go the the 'fireworks'  for days after that. I know I've said it before, but one on one time with Cullyn is so special to me, because he acts like a completely different boy. 


Family | January was an excellent month for Family Dates!  We spent tons of time hanging out and getting settled in our new house, but when we weren't doing that, we went Ice Skating downtown, Skiing in Boone, and Rock Climbing.

Kids | One Tuesday morning, we snuck out for donuts before daycare.  There was also the Thursday night that I took them to Chick-Fil-A while Adam was addressing the gas leak at our house. 

Me | I had a girls night with the Dance Moms which was a first.  We went to Fong's pizza and had dinner and drinks.  It was such a fun night!  I can't wait to do this monthly!

DEEDS
This month we made breakfast meals for locals in need.  Each year on MLK day, my work asks for employees to bring in frozen breakfast casseroles to fill the food bank, so the kids and I participated. 

This month a friend surprised me with a random act of kindness.  She knew I adored her Kate Spade earrings and bought me with a pair of these one day...

I'm still looking for a unique deed/random act of kindness ideas for February...does anyone have any suggestions?

Thursday, February 26, 2015

February | Dates + Deeds

DATES

Adam | We celebrated Valentine's.  But my most favorite date this month, was the night my mother in law took the kids for the night and we enjoyed fondue with our lake friends.  We are so blessed to have family that asks to take our kids.  And while I sometimes dread letting them go, I know this is a blessing to everyone.  The kids always have a great time and it gives Adam and I a chance to reconnect.  I promise, this is not something we take for granted!
Me | I actually snuck a girls night in this month!  It was quick, but it was better than nothing!  After I tucked Cullyn into bed, I kissed Jordyn & Adam goodbye and headed to the movies with my sister and best friend.  We went to the 9p showing of 50 Shades of Grey at the new theatre, Flix.  This was my first experience at the theatre and I would totally go back. The increased prices were justifiable for the service.  I'll never turn down the chance to have dinner and drinks during a movie. :)
Jordyn | Right before the hospitalization, I snuck Jordy on a date to the Des Moines Art Center for an Art Class.  They read a story {Brown Bear, Brown Bear}, talked about colors, made monochromatic art.  I was so proud of her, at the end of class, the kids took turns walking to the front of the class to show the other kids their project.  Although it made her uncomfortable, she walked up there and shared her project.  I'm so proud of her and love watching her in her element! :)
Cullyn | Well I still didn't get Cullyn on an amazing date this month, but we did manage to get to McDonald's Playplace for a chocolate shake while Adam took sissy to Sports Class.  My favorite thing about solo time with Cullyn is the way he holds my hand when I let him walk around.  We're usually in a rush and I carry him in and out of the car, but I always make it a point to let him walk himself {what he always wants!} when we're on dates and it makes him the happiest boy in the world.  He takes the least direct path and always stops to kick the snow {or dirt} piles, but he has fun and that's what matters.  I love that this boy makes me slow down and enjoy the little things.  Like ice cream shakes during the Iowa winter.  I love you Cully--keep making your own path!
We also had another solo grocery trip where he was quite thrilled to push his own cart--I distinctly remember the first time Jorydn got to push a little cart like that, she was about the same age. :)

DEEDS
This month I handed out hand, feet, & body warmers & snacks to the homeless. This wasn't a lot of money {in fact, I already had everything in my car anyways--I like to keep these things on hand during the brutal Iowa winters--just in case} but it made me feel good to give someone something they really didn't have.  I take for granted the fact that I can fill my stomach when I'm hungry or crank the heat up when I'm cold, but many of the homeless people around my office don't have that opportunity.  And it's been cold around here this month!  So just seeing their face light up brought tears to my eyes.  All I could think was that I pray if either of my children are in the same spot someday, that someone will do the same for them. 

Did you do any dates or RAoK this month?  If so, share below...I love new ideas! :)

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