This weekend Matt and I were able to have a kid free dinner. I must admit it was kinda nice not to say "sit down please", "leave the sugar packets alone", or "I thought you said you were hungry".
2 years ago a child in my classroom gave me a gift certificate to go to the Angus Barn. We never really go out by ourselves because by the time you pay for a babysitter and dinner you are almost at $100! I know I had a gift certificate but the Angus Barn is no ordinary restaurant. You must make reservations weeks and sometimes months in advance! In fact they were booked for Valentines Day before Christmas! I don't know about you but I can't plan that far in advance!
We made reservations last month to go on Saturday. We figured if we didn't have to pay for dinner we could pay for a babysitter ;)
Things actually worked out even better. The parents in Gavin's class decided they would swap babysitting each month. It is actually working out quite nicely. About 7 of the kids go to a friend's house once a month from 4 to about 9 and have a "party". The other parents then get a night to themselves. It is lovely! (I only say this because we have not reached our house in the babysitting rotation.. haha!) Anyway... Saturday was the night that Gavin got to go to his "party" while Mommy and Daddy went out. That's right... we didn't have to pay for dinner or a babysitter! Those are the best kind of dates!
We really enjoyed getting to have an adult conversation and enjoy each other's company.
You might wonder how Gavin does when being dropped off at a friends house and not having Mommy and Daddy stay.....
I believe the conversations went a little like this....
Mommy & Daddy - "Ok, Gavin we are going to leave... give us a hug and kiss bye"
Gavin - "Bye"
Mommy & Daddy - "Love you... be nice"
Gavin - "k, bye"
~ Mommy and Daddy stand around and talk to parents for about 5 minutes.
~ Gavin comes up from playing in the basement with his friends...
Gavin - "Are you gonna leave or what?"
Mommy and Daddy leave for dinner and return around 8:30.
Gavin - "Why did you come back?"
Mommy & Daddy - "We missed you too.. thanks"
Touching isn't it? At least it is nice to know that he can enjoy himself without Mommy and Daddy being around.