Mom & Dad's Day Out

Shawn and I had a milestone weekend. Saturday, we spent our first, yes FIRST, afternoon away from Ian since coming home. We arrived home from China almost 5 months ago and have yet to have time together away from our precious child. I joke that he is such a joy that we haven't wanted to take time away...which is partially true...but for the most part, we've been dying to get out just to go to a movie and dinner.

Friday, we met at a restaurant at 2:30 for a late lunch/early dinner before picking Ian up from school. It was nice to sit across from each other at a restaurant without frantically sliding everything out of reach from a high chair...or picking up thrown silverware...or sheepishly retrieving misguided toys from the neighboring table's inhabitants. It was nice to sit across from each other and actually eat at the same time. It was nice to sit across from each other at a restaurant PERIOD. In total, it was the 4th time eating out, and first alone, in 5 months. In our previous life, we ate out at least once a week, if not several times a week. Now, Garlic Jim's Pizza is on speed dial as our "don't feel like cooking" bail out.

On Saturday, we had planned to drop Ian off with Shawn's parents for the afternoon while we enjoyed a movie and dinner with friends. This would truly be our first time out with other adults alone since coming home, and my first movie in a theater since September. We had a great time and spent 5 whole hours away...and OH the movie popcorn! How I've missed it!

As it turned out, Ian had a great time with his Grandma & Grandpa. It was a beautiful day (in fact an amazing 80 degree spring day in Seattle) and they went to 3 parks (searching for all too rare toddler friendly play equipment) and had an almost tear free afternoon.

For us, it was a great day spent with great friends. Most of all, Ian proved to us that he can be away from us for meals, bath, and playtime and survive just fine. We were so proud of him. (and I was a little proud of myself, to be honest. I didn't worry, panic, or cry...not once.)

We had hoped to take "the kids" to the dog park near us today, but we were all just too wiped out to make the trip. Polli spent the day yesterday playing hard with her cousin-dog Spirit and spent the majority of her time today sleeping on her chaise lounge outside or napping with Shawn. Shawn and I did some much needed yard work this morning, which felt great. Spring is here (although today was about 30 degrees cooler than yesterday. Bummer).

Yesterday, before the exciting afternoon, I attempted to put together Ian's Cozy Coupe that my parents gave him for his birthday. I was out in the garage before 8am banging away on a plastic car. Ian wasn't interested until he saw me attach wheels...and then was bouncing off the walls with anticipation as I tried to finish quickly. It was easy until it came time to put the roof on. I eventually gave up and presented Ian with his brand new convertible! He's a little too small right now to move it well under his own power and actually fell through the bottom several times, getting pinned under the car. As with almost everything else with wheels, he was much happier pushing it around the back yard, which he did happily for quite a while yesterday and again this morning.

Cruisin' in his convertible

Beep Beep!

Already out of gas!

Ian's got junk in his trunk.

Not a new picture, but a good one of Ian and Grandma playing.