Girls Spa Night In

A few weeks ago, we had a free Friday night, so we decided to do a girls date and a boys date.  Adam and Cullyn had a 'superhero' date downstairs.  Complete with a movie and 'super' snacks.  White Jordyn and I had a spa night upstairs.  We had spa music, essential oils diffusing, kid charcuterie, 'wine', a robe, and shower caps.  We did mani/pedis and facials.  It was one of our best memories this fall.  We can't wait to do it again! 

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! :)

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?

December | Dates + Deeds

The final installment of our 2015 Dates & Deeds...

DATES

Adam | We got an overnight sitter and went to Adam's Christmas party for work.  It's held at the Marriott downtown where we enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, dinner, awards, socializing/dancing, and an overnight stay.  This year was extra sweet, because Adam was recognized with an award which earned us a trip to the Turks and Caicos this spring! 

Kids | Individual dates with the kids just didn't happen this month.  I'm pretty sad, because for the most part, I did pretty good about getting a date in with everyone each month this year.  However, I'm going to be happy with the fact that we had a ton of quality family time this month!  With Christmas, we saw family often and did all kinds of Advent activities together {zoo, science center, Christmases, car rides, s'mores, crafts, breakfasts, dance, school parties, etc.}

DEEDS

Sketch Pad | 2 xBox Games | Hoodie | Snacks

We sponsored Christmas for a young boy my sister happens to teach.  This was the first time we actually sponsored a child as opposed to just getting an item for a child {or two}.  The kids loved helping me shop for him and then wrapping his gifts.  We talked about giving to others and it was really neat to see them get excited about giving. A special treat for us, I got a photo of him after he opened his gifts and it made my year!  So special!

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

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D | June D+D | July D+D | August D+D | September D+D | October D+D | November D+D

November | Dates + Deeds

Consider this the most lame D&D post ever... :(

DATES

Adam | This was the highlight of our dates & deeds this month {for sure!} Adam and I got a sitter {the kids daytime daycare provider} overnight and spent the afternoon/evening going to a local winery for a sampling and then met up with friends for dinner at Lurra Cocina downtown before calling it a night.

Jordyn | Our highlight was a couple of trips to Target, a morning with just the two of us at the lakehouse before preschool, & and afternoon baking an apple pie together.  

Cullyn | The only time I spent one on one with Cullyn this month was then I took him to his eye exam.  Totally lame, huh?  I swear, the month just flew by and before I knew it we had Thanksgiving and the calendar flipped to December. 

DEEDS

This month we made a monetary donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society We have a few friends on the board, and most importantly a friend who's child beat Leukemia, so this foundation is very near and dear to our hearts.  I also intended to make a donation to an animal shelter in honor of Murdock, but didn't get around to it.  I'm thinking about doing it every year on his birthday {June}, or the date that we adopted him {January} or maybe the anniversary of his death {November}. 

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

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D | June D+D | July D+D | August D+D | September D+D | October D+D

October | Dates + Deeds

I'm going to try to do a little recap each month with details from our dates {Adam & I, each of the kids) and Deeds {Random Acts of Kindness/Pay It Forwards}

DATES

Adam | Sadly, probably the most important month of the year {our anniversary} we didn't even get a date in! :(  No dinner, movie, nothing.  To say I'm bummed about this is an understatement!  I am still trying to finagle our schedules so that we can get a night away soon. ::fingers crossed::

Jordyn | We volunteered at Meals From The Heartland one evening.  I packaged meals and Jordyn drew photos for each of the boxes & put labels on the bags.  She had so much fun!  Mainly because she loves drawing and also because there were only adults in the room and she got so much attention! ;)  Afterwards we went and shared a shake.  Bonus...she got to stay up late on a school night! ;)

Cullyn | I pulled him from daycare and snuck in a lunch at the new{er} Main Street Cafe.  Dining with just Cullyn is always a treat.  He gets all the sweet comments from strangers and is usually extra polite and handsome for me.  This boy thrives for one on one time!  He chats & chats the entire time!  A bonus...his sitter sent me the sweetest Snapchat to me of him thanking me for our date.  Aww!! 

Kids | I took the kids to a birthday party & we had several Halloween celebrations, plus we went out for pizza one night.  Going out to dinner {yes, I realize it was just pizza, but still!} was a big step for me!  Our kids rarely go out to dinner, so they tend to want to wander around & overall not be the most pleasant dates.  However, they were so incredibly good for me!  They were the best Halloween dates I could have had! :)

DEEDS

This month we bought a coat for a child in need through the local Shoes that Fit program.  We chose a 5 year old girl to sponsor and I hope that she loves what we picked for her!  I wish we were able to sponsor dozens of kids!

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

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D | June D+D | July D+D | August D+D | September D+D

September | Dates + Deeds

I'm going to try to do a little recap each month with details from our dates {Adam & I, each of the kids) and Deeds {Random Acts of Kindness/Pay It Forwards}

DATES

Adam | We met my family in Iowa City for an Iowa football game over labor day weekend and we also hired our college sitter so we could sneak away for a few hours to celebrate his 35th Birthday!   Two dates in one month = a win for us! :)

 Jordyn | Jordyn and I have been able to spend Friday morning together while Cullyn is a preschool, so that's new for us, and really special.  I also cut out of work one morning and grabbed her from daycare so we could check out Story & Play time at our church.  There were all kinds of kids {she didn't really know any of them well} and I think Jordyn was a bit overwhelmed by this.  I would take her back, but probably only if Cullyn was joining us. 

Cullyn | Cullyn finally got a really fun date!  We snuck away from the lake one evening and went to a friend's farm as the sun set.  He took Cullyn in the tractor {pulling 2 wagons} around the property & fields.   We got to see corn dry and at the end we went and checked out the miniature pony's. He was really fascinated and totally ready to go back!

Kids | We had a lemonade stand 

Family | Volunteered {see below}, spent Labor Day weekend together, went to Adam's family reunion, & took a trip to the Apple Orchard. 

For a month that was filled with packing, home inspections/appraisals, house hunting, & a ton of photoshoots, I'm really happy with the amount of quality time we had together. 

DEEDS

This month we volunteered at The Supper Table as a family.  We brought food, prepared it, & served it to community members.  It was so fun to learn about this program that the local churches host every week.  Another reminder of the wonderful community we live in. 

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

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D | June D+D | July D+D | August D+D

August | Dates + Deeds

The kids dates were a little lackluster this month, but we were so busy with end of summer, back to school, starting back to daycare, etc. September dates will be better.  Hopefully! ;)

DATES

Adam | We worked a couple of weddings together, if that counts.  Haha.  No real date nights though. :( 

Me | I spent an afternoon at the spa for my birthday and it was heavenly!

Jordyn | I took Jordyn school shopping by herself.  We grabbed her a few outfits, a gift card for supplies, and some new tennis shoes. 

Cullyn | Cullyn and I went back to school shopping as well.  He didn't need as much, but we spent a couple of hours walking around at his lead.  He's always so much more chatty & affectionate when it's just the two of us…I love it!

Family | We spent a weekend and a long weekend at the lake, we spent an afternoon at the state fair, went on a family date to a friends house for the NFL Fantasy Football Draft, and we went to Meet The Teacher night at preschool and out to ice cream afterwards. 

DEEDS

This month I volunteered at the Iowa State Fair  For work, we can sign up to run the booth, so for the second or third year in a row, I did that.  Always a good time.  So many people to see! ;)

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

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D | June D+D | July D+D

July | Dates + Deeds

I'm going to try to do a little recap each month with details from our dates {Adam & I, each of the kids) and Deeds {Random Acts of Kindness/Pay It Forwards}

DATES

Adam | Adam and I went to Zoo Brew & dined at MALO & Centro.

Me | I snuck away to see Magic Mike XL with Jess and ride a day of RAGBRAI with my sisters.

Jordyn | I took Jordyn to story hour at the Altoona pool and then back to my office for the afternoon.  It was really cool.  You just wear your suit and they read {from memory} a story and you act it out in the water.  Jordyn's favorite part was going down the slide and 'free swim' time. :)

Cullyn | Sadly my date for Cullyn couldn't happen, so I'm hoping it will come together next month. He did get to go out for lunch {BWW} with our summer nanny and a few small trips with Adam for errands. 

Kids | The kids and I did lots together this month while Adam was DJing and playing in the band.  We ate downtown at the food trucks with Auntie Ashley, saw a circus with Gram, ate cupcakes at Creme, spent a couple of days at the pool, went on several bike rides, out for ice cream twice, to a few parks, fed the ducks, saw an outdoor movie, & went to Denver over Sturgis Falls. Both kids spent a week with and Gram & Papas this month, too, so I'm sure that was their highlight of the month.

Family | We enjoyed the long holiday weekend together at the lake at the beginning of the month, plus a couple of pool days, and our adventure day, as well as the balloon festival.

DEEDS

This month I volunteered at 'love lunches' which is a program through a few local churches what provides lunch & an activity at a park three times a week for children {& their families} that would normally eat lunch provided by the school.  It's so awesome to see how many people this program is able to feed.  It makes my heart hurt thinking they could go from Thursday until Monday without eating a meal. :( 

I also had the opportunity to give a stranger $100 {a bucket list item} I took the kids to the park one morning and the sweetest girl {20ish?} was working so patiently with this special needs boy the entire time.  I posted all about it on Instagram.  It was one of my favorite moments in life. 

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

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D | June D+D

June | Dates + Deeds

I'm going to try to do a little recap each month with details from our dates {Adam & I, each of the kids) and Deeds {Random Acts of Kindness/Pay It Forwards}

DATES

Adam & I | Our 'date' this month was nothing spectacular.  We spent a Saturday night at a wedding where Adam DJ'd and I worked the photobooth--far from a 'date night' but we did get to spend the evening together sans kids. We also rented America Sniper after the kids went to bed. We will be stepping our game up next month!

Me | I spent 4 hours editing photos by myself at the bar.  Yes, this sounds ridiculous, but it was miraculous!  I also took a couple of hours to get my hair colored before our family photos. 

Jordyn | I took Jordyn to swimming lessons several nights this month.  We went out for ice cream to celebrate on the last night.  We also went to dance registration solo, which was a big deal.  She is so excited for lessons to start in August!  Her main date was a morning spent at Daytime Playtime through APEX.

Cullyn | Also last minute, I took Cullyn to Parent/Tot play time at Triad.  Which he loved more than Jordyn did, so I'm thinking about letting him start class. Can you just see Cullyn in a 'gymnastics' class?  I die just thinking about it!!

The Kids | As Adam's DJ and Band gigs pick up for the summer, the kids and I have much more opportunity to hang out together.  In June, we went to the Strawberry Patch, Topical Sno, & Sturgis Falls amongst several other smaller outings. 

Family | While we didn't have much one on one time with ourselves {Adam& I} or the kids {individual dates} we had an exceptional amount of family time, which is rare for us.  So it was much loved!  We spent a day on the water in Iowa City, a night to go swimming in our friends' pool, a night at the winery listening to music with friends, a morning enjoying a picnic breakfast, and a weekend at the lake doing fun things like Ranger rides, boat floats, fireworks, family dinners, lots of dessert, etc. 

DEEDS

I nearly let this month slip by without a good deed done.  In a last minute, ditch effort, I bought Arby's for the guy behind me.  Yes, I know...sad!  I also baked bought cookies for the neighbor girls because they let me borrow a stick of butter when we were in the middle of dinner and realized we were out.  Can you tell this entire month was just insane and we were struggling to just keep our heads above water?  Again...I'll do better next month!  Promise!

January D+D | February D+D | March D+D | April D+D | May D+D