Time out for Martha, Food and Wine

Today is "Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday".  The goal is to take an hour for yourself during the month without the kids and do something that you want to do just for yourself.  (For those of you who are new, visit Theta Mom and join in!)

So here was the plan: Get out from under the mound of magazines that have started to take over my world. I know what you are thinking right now, magazines? Why would I subscribe to all these magazines, only to add to the list of " 40 hours worth of things to do in 24"? Well, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Airline miles that I had accumulated from all the travel I had done in my previous role as a marketing professional who know what she was talking about, were coming to the end of their life. Instead of "gifting" them or letting them die a silent death, my mommy brain decided that magazines would be a great thing to trade them in for.

No really, I thought if I subscribed to Martha Stewart Living I might pick up some tips on how to become a domestic goddess. Parenting Magazine would help me figure out why my toddler was so inclined to drink his own bath water. Marie Claire, Vogue, Lucky, Elle and In Style, would keep me up to date on all the latest fashion trends - even if I could only rock them through the checkout line with my gallon of milk and Diet Coke in tow.

But wait, there's more. I thought Food and Wine Magazine would somehow miraculously turn me into a gourmet cook and impress my friends (once a month) with my insane knowledge of French Bordeaux.  Wine Spectator would support that thought process.  Then there's Sunset Magazine, Real Simple, and Woman's Health.

12 magazines. 12 times a month, my mail carrier has to lug around numerous extra pounds just to support my insanity. I think this month's Vogue alone weighed about the the same as my son.  I don't know why I thought I would actually have time to read these. I mean, where did I think I would fit them in? In between the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning and the diaper changes? Maybe I could read an article while cooking dinner? Needless to say, they just piled up. My son actually started to stack them on the floor like they were a new type of building block and jump off of them.

So back to the plan. I decided my magazines needed a "Time Out".  No, I didn't decide to put a freeze on the magazines, I decided I was going to actually read them. I decided I would use one hour a day during my son's nap to escape into a world of fashion, food, wine and parenting know-how.  Over the next few weeks I was going to get through this mound and take back my ottoman.  So, for my time out, I grabbed a Diet Coke, jumped on the couch and proceeded to relax and thumb through hundreds of pages of tools for DIY discipline, really cute shirt dresses (which I later acquired), an article on the life and times of J-Lo, and a really good recipe for shrimp and soba noodles.

So I grabbed more than an hour this month.  And I am not sure what I am going to do with all this new found knowledge of Australian wines or how I will utilize all of Martha's secrets to becoming a domestic goddess, but It really feels good to take some time out for me and immerse myself into something other than sippy cups and poop.

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Another fun tip from Martha: Add fruit and herbs to a french press to make your own infused tea. What didn't i think of that?

Boogie Wipes Giveaway

*****THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*****

Last week I let everyone in on my sons new obsession, Boogie Wipes. And who could blame him? Who wouldn't want to hang on to and party with anything that smelled so yummy? How could you discount a faithful friend that made sure you weren't embarrassed on the monkey bars with snot dripping down your face?

Yes, the security slippers were no match for the Boogie Wipes.

And because my son (oh and me too! I love the smell of the Grape scented Boogie Wipes) love these mucus dissolving miracles so much, I wanted to share them with you.  Thanks to the fabulous (and brilliant) ladies at Boogie Wipes, one lucky winner will receive two packages of Boogie Wipes. (Great Grape, Fresh Scent or Magic Menthol).  

What makes Boogie Wipes so different than a regular baby wipe? Well, besides doubling as a security blanket, they are:

• Made with Natural Saline to Dissolve Mucus
• Hypoallergenic
• Alcohol Free
• Moisturize with Vitamin E, Aloe and Chamomile
• Come in Fun Scents Kids Love
• Gentle Enough for All Ages
• Phthalate & Paraben Free

To Enter the Giveaway

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Boogie Wipes here, then come back and tell me something you learned. This is a required entry and must be done before the extra entries will count.

EXTRA ENTRIES: You can do any combination of the following things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do.

1. Become a fan of Boogie Wipes on Facebook - 1 entry
2. Follow Boogie Wipes on Twitter - 1 entry 
3. Join the Boogie Bunch (You'll also get a $1 coupon) - 1 entry 
4. Follow Tales from the Sippy Cup on Twitter - 1 entry 
5. Follow my blog via Google/Friend Connect (find on my sidebar) - 1 entry 
6. Tweet about the giveaway and leave me a comment to tell me that you tweeted – 1 entry daily
7. Vote for Tales from the sippy cup on Top Mommy Blogs (simply click on the button on the sidebar) and make sure you leave me a comment to tell me that you voted – 1 entry
8. Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 entries

Of course there are rules:- Contest will close at 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, March 12, 2010! Any entries after this time will be deleted.- Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner must have valid email address (please leave a valid email in the comments if your Blogger profile is private) will have 72 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck and Boogie On!!

Congratulations to lucky winner #11. An email has been sent.

Things I never thought I would say or do pre-kiddo

Sitting here watching the K man laugh his head off as he chases the dogs around the room trying to catch them by their tails, I started thinking about how much has changed over the past year and a half. And holy crap, how fast the time has flown.

Its hard to believe that only a year and a half ago, we brought home a tiny creature that didn't do much but sleep and poop. And now I am sitting here, staring at this little dude, who clearly has his own thought process, who can now decide that he doesn't like one thing or the other, or that he wants his slippers on rather than his shoes and who insists on washing his hands every time he walks by the bathroom.

A year and a half ago I had no idea what was in store for us. A year and a half ago I never thought I would say or do the things that I do today.

I never thought I would know all the words to every song on every show on Nick Jr., but have no clue who half these people are on the radio (Satellite, of course). Seriously, instead of humming the latest tune from the Black Eyed Peas or Lady GaGa while doing the dishes, I'm singing "Everywhere I go" by Moose A. Moose. Looking back now at my own parents, I totally get it now.

I never thought the words "hold still so I can clean your butt" would be a daily mantra. But with all the kicking and screaming that comes along with diaper changing...I cannot wait for potty training. I'm sure there will be other things I will be chanting when that time comes as well and I am sure it will contain the word penis. 

I never thought I would actually like cold coffee. I guess like anything, its an acquired taste, one that I have acquired from forgetting that I had actually made coffee until hours later when I walk by and notice the ice-cold-much-needed-caffeine boost sitting there on the counter.

I never thought I would be using any type of turkey baster-looking object on anything other than a turkey. This last week has been a snot-filled mess, enabling me to become an aspirator genius, sucking gooey snot out of a wiggling child's nose with the type of precision only a week-long training session could produce. I am thinking of lobbying for snot extraction as an Olympic sport since it would be a shame to let this talent go to waste.

I also never thought I would obsess over sippy cups, launching an all-out exploration to find just the right one. Analyzing every lid, spout and rubber stopper. I think I have a collection of 15 sippy cups right now, with none of them being the "perfect one".

It hadn't occurred to me that I would never use the bathroom alone again. I cannot remember the last time I was able to pee alone.

I never thought I would be jealous of a two year-olds pedicure.

I never thought I would reach into the side pocket of my handbag only to find something sticky and wet waiting in there for me. More than one time.

I never thought I would love someone who likes to run around in his own poop as much as I love my little man. It's incredible to watch him bloom everyday into his own little being and it has truly been a gift to be able to share this last year with him everyday. I look forward with anticipation to what the rest of this year will bring.

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Move over security slippers, you have been replaced

With my son morphing into a giant snot monster this week, I have had the opportunity to put one of those "Invented by moms sick of stuff just not working" products to good use. And first, let me say, this is not a review. I have not been compensated in anyway for the secrets I am about to disclose. Nada. Not a dime. Not even a coupon. No, I have paid full price for every pack of my Boogie Wipes. And they are worth every cent!

Funny thing is, I had no idea these mucus dissolving miracles would have the effect they have had on the K-man this week. I mean, yes, they smell great (Grape is a fave) , they feel soft and silky, they attack the flow of snot on contact, they don't leave my son's nose all red and crusty...you know the usual everyday awesomeness you would expect from a mom-invented product...In fact, my son won't even let me wipe his nose with a regular tissue. He cries and proceeds to fill his nostrils with even more snot. Poor little guy, I feel so sorry for him. Its vicious cycle.

However, I had no idea they doubled as a security blanket. Did you? I must have missed that on the package.

Seriously, my son has insisted on carrying around a Boogie Wipe with him all day, every day this week. Looks as if the security slippers have been replaced.

At first it was a little embarrassing. While out running errands he would accidentally drop it over the side of the stroller and cry and point until I gave him another one. I forgot to put the package in the diaper bag, and when he lost the Boogie Wipe somewhere on aisle 3, I handed him a plain wipe.

He didn't want it. He has carried a Boogie Wipe around the house, outside in the sandbox and to bed. Who knew he would develop such a bond with these little boogie soaker-uppers.

I think I found another marketing angle for the ladies at Boogie Wipes.

Wordless Wednesday - Filling in for Tiger

Calling for backup

First of all I want to say to those who have joined me from Follow Friday, I appreciate the follow and I owe you a visit! It has been hard to find the time to fit everything in that needs to happen in a day, hence the post from last Friday.

And I am ready to admit, the dust bunnies have won. They waged a good fight but I have finally given in. I have called for back up. No matter how many articles I have read on how to clean "top to bottom, left to right" or how to divide and conquer by attacking the "wet rooms" and then the "dry rooms" or to "choose one day a week for your cleaning spree", my house still looks like a pack of wild animals came barreling through it. Twice.

But now that relief is on its way, you would think that I would have more time to spend on something else right? Well, I just spent 2 hours cleaning for the cleaning people. I know I'm not the only one that does this. But what I have to wonder is why we are so concerned about the housekeeper not thinking that we are family of wild mud tracking, crumb dropping, dirty clothes piling individuals that need a housekeeper. Its obvious. Otherwise, they wouldn't be there.

While I may never understand why some of us feel compelled to launch such an exhaustive cover up, I do know I am finally able to crawl into bed and relax knowing that tomorrow, my counters will sparkle, my floor will shine and those sticky little hand prints (everywhere) will be gone for at least an hour.

Making it look effortless

I posted this last Friday hoping that I would be able to tap into the group of many, many talented and inspiring women out there to give me some helpful hints and tips on how to make it all work in the short amount of time we have in the day. I did receive one private comment from a dear friend that I just had to post and share with everyone else because it was truly awesome.

Dear Kanes Mom,

Trying to do it all is CRAZY!!! Here is what I do and say to myself:

• Do what you can but do it well.
• Enjoy the moments with your kid, the laundry can wait.
• You won't remember how clean your house was (or dirty), you WILL remember the time you spent with a friend / husband / or yourself.
• "Me time" makes me a better person, mom, friend, wife, etc.
• Prioritize / ask: is this really that important? Does this need to be done right now?

Most days I feel okay about my short comings but there is always a little guilt. I try to push the guilt away by knowing my limits and that I am doing the best I can.

You are doing a great job! Tell yourself!!

MY ORIGINAL POST:

I was reading through some comments today and noticed one about time management that really got me thinking. This struck a cord with me since lately I have been feeling the stress of wanting to "do it all". Being a great mom, wife, friend, finding "me" time, making sure the house isn't overrun by dust bunnies, dinner (something other than frozen pizza), laundry (who is wearing all these clothes?), play dates, focus on my blog, focus on my professional life (find a job). The list goes on and on. By the end of the day, I cannot help but fell like I am failing in at least one area or another.

With so little time in the day, how do you focus on the things and people that need your attention without becoming overwhelmed? And better yet, how do you "do it all" and not end up looking like a disheveled mess? I mean I saw a 2 year-old last weekend with a better pedicure than mine. At that moment I was just happy to be wearing closed-toed shoes.

The last 6 months in my new position as stay-at-home mom has been a whirlwind . It's definitely harder than anyone ever led on and impossible to make it look effortless.

So I just have to wonder. Is it possible to pull it all off? To "do it all"?

I am hoping those of you that have figured it out, will share your secrets with me. What has worked for you? How do you make every minute count? How do you not feel guilty when taking a little "me" time. Even if it is just going to the bathroom by yourself.

Another "cold" winter day in the OC

I often wondered if kids just don't have the same temperature gauge as older people. This always struck me as I watched kids on the beach still playing in the water after sundown late into the summer. They had to be freezing, but continued to run in and out of the water, shunning the goose bumps that dimpled their arms and legs.

It must be that same idiosyncrasy that takes over us later in life when you find yourself enjoying a glass of wine and chatting up your best girlfriend knowing that you really shouldn't have that second glass of wine, but somehow you do. Maybe it's just that we are having so much fun we just don't want it to end. I contemplate all this in my head as I sit "freezing" in the 60 degree afternoon sun, watching Kane dig in the dirt with glee.

Believe me, I know my East Coast and Mid-West family and friends are flipping me the obligatory bird right now. I do feel bad even posting this today as they sit, stranded in their homes, waiting out yet another snow day. But my "you don't know what cold is" Southern California butt is seriously chilly. And there is Kane, digging away, filling his buckets with dirt and rocks, not noticing the drop in temperature as the sun starts to dip into the horizon. It could start to snow and he would still be out there digging away without a care in the world.

For instance, a few weeks back it rained and rained for days. We were stuck in the house so long that, when there was even a little break in the weather, I bundled Kane up in a jacket and rain boots and set out for some puddle jumping. Of course, 5 minutes into it, he was soaked from head to toe with freezing cold rain water flooding his boots. But did he care? No. He cried hysterically when I rushed him inside to strip him of his cold wet clothing. Then pounded on the window to go back outside and do it again.

Why is it that he doesn't mind reaching into the ice cold water and subsequently getting his entire sleeve wet, just to retrieve a drowning orange that had fallen off our tree? Why does he not freeze his little but off running across the cold stone floor, bare-ass naked from a bath? And why does he not wake up instantly when he pulls his sock off in the middle of the night and his foot has turned into a Popsicle? I can't even sleep if my feet are just a tad cold!

I'm not sure what the phenomenon is with kids and not feeling the cold, but sorry dad, until that snow thaws...we'll just have to wait to come up and visit!

Pretend City - A kids kind of town

Feeling like I needed to make sure my son doesn't "get weird" with me as his only playmate, I decided to take him to the new play spot that is all the rage in Orange County, Pretend City. Or what I lovingly like to call Crazy Town.

The children's museum opened last summer in Irvine and is quickly becoming the place to be for the sippy cup and juice box crowd. For those of you not living the OC Housewives dream, Pretend City is a giant warehouse, turned children's museum where you can turn your children loose on a miniature city complete with a grocery store, farm, bank, beach, marina, art studio, doctor's office, fire station, and restaurant.

It's something well needed in our area and for the most part, Pretend City is great. This was our second time to the city of toddler dreams. My son loves getting on stage and dancing and shaking the maracas. He loves "driving" all the cars and digging in the rubber mulch garden. There are some really fun music and dance classes you can attend. Art and educational programs abound. But like all children's entertainment destinations, there is the bad that comes with the all the good.

First, I have to admit that I do get a little crazy when it comes to the cleanliness of places my son attends. Maybe a little too crazy. But with all the kids running around with snotty noses and the threats of overachieving flu viruses, I just can't help it.

On this particular visit the sandbox or "beach" area freaked me out. The shovels that the kids were using to dig in the sticky wet moon sand looked like they had never been cleaned and the handles were covered with a layer of thick black sticky goo. And if that wasn't bad enough, the sand that they were digging in was filled with hair (tons of it, not just a strand here and there) and other debris. The plastic fruits and vegetables in the grocery store were dingy and was an all over disaster.

It made me wonder how a place that had not been open that long could be in such disarray. Thinking about this also made me notice that once you enter though the gateway into the city, its like complete anarchy. You don't see anyone in the city cleaning up after the wild hoards of children nor do they suggest to you or give you any "rules" for the city on the way in.

Before I posted about our recent experience, I decided to contact Pretend City directly to voice my concerns and stage a "beach clean-up". I really just wanted to make sure that the museum stayed a safe and clean environment to take a child to play.

I was pleasantly surprised when someone returned my email within 2 days. What I found out is, Pretend City is relying on the parents to make sure that the props, toys and other items get put back in their places and that the wooden cars don't wind up in the water feature. But that's not really happening. In the hour that we were there, I saw wooden cars where they really shouldn't be, a grocery store that looked like a food bomb went off and a music stage that looked like a tornado had just hit it. And this was not at the end of the day, we had gotten there at 10AM.

No, what is happening here in this city are a few parents who view this time as their own and are spending it texting, on the phone or simply not paying attention to their child. I have been in a few awkward positions where other kids were hitting each other or taking things away from another child with no parents in sight. You would hope that since there is so much interaction between children unfamiliar with each other, that these parents would be engaged in the actions of their children and take the opportunity to teach them some really good life lessons. Stop texting already.

Pretend City also addressed my concerns about the sand in the beach. They had told me that it had not been changed in the 5 months that they had been open, but that they do spray a bleach and water solution on the sand and rubber dirt area on the farm every night. The sand was scheduled to be replaced this week. I hope so, because 5 months is a very long time to have upwards of 450 children a day frequent a sand pit that only gets a top layer of disinfectant on a daily basis.

They are also actively seeking volunteers on an ongoing basis to work the floor. They do see the need for more adults on the floor in an effort to make it a better experience for both the children and their families. I was assured that they are listening to all feedback and using this in refining their systems in order to be better staffed, anticipate the timing of materials replacement and better predict cycles and trends in the coming years.

I love Pretend City. I really do. And I'm really happy that they are listening to customer feedback and are responsive to the concerns of parents. Even overly protective clean freaks. I can't wait to take my son back to "Crazy Town" and hopefully a cleaned up beach. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Pretend City.

Trying to turn my little nosher into a chow hound

I know that it is perfectly normal for my 15 month old (the one that has decided he can make choices of his own) to, along with not wanting to wear his socks or have his diaper changed, not want to eat what I make him for lunch. Or dinner, or breakfast for that matter. But seriously, this is getting crazy. And expensive.

But even though I know its perfectly normal, I can't help but stress over it. Is it possible for my growing child to survive on blueberries and Cheddar Bunnies alone? And then I get the MIL and husband yaking at me about my son not eating vegetables or eating too many carbs. Seriously? Well, if you can find a way to get him to eat a veggie willingly, more power to you. I just want him to eat something. Anything.

This is where I snap into crazy mom mode. I actually find myself making my son multiple meals, hoping that I will stumble upon something that he will like. Today I made him a turkey and cheese sandwich. All cut up in little bite-sized pieces just like he likes it. Well, the way he liked it last time. Today, he wouldn't touch it, so what did I do? I made him macaroni and cheese, another sure bet. He wouldn't take a single bite. I then proceeded to make him a mini pizza. Yes, that's right, I made him 3 different things for lunch. A sink full of pots and pans later and he still didn't eat a thing. I can't explain why I felt compelled to keep making him different things. Maybe it's my overly obsessive nature, or maybe I was just hoping something would incite some type of food delight and then I would feel as if I had won the battle.

My husband now asks what his 3 choices are for dinner. Okay, so I know I need to chill out. It's hard to do when you worry about your child getting enough to eat. Especially at night. Maybe its a bit selfish - okay, It's all about me - but I don't want him waking up in the middle of the night hungry. The extra little person in my bed, at 5AM poking me in the eye, is hard enough.

Browsing through the latest parenting mag, it occurs to me. All those great new "solutions"and "fast fixes" to get your little one to eat are totally targeted at the new (sucker) mom. Seriously, I have bought into countless technologically advanced bowls, plates and every spoon and fork out there. I often hear from some of my mom friends with older children that "they didn't have that when my boys were little". You know why? Because you didn't need it. No, no matter how well the bowl keeps the food heated, or is skid proof or if it has multiple compartments for convenient feeding, they still won't eat what's in the bowl. As a marketer, I commend the ingenuity to seek out a need and fill it. To "solve" the problem. As a newbie mom I wish I would have saved the 15 bucks I shelled out for that cool new "feeding system" (bowl) that was supposed to make all my toddler eating dreams a reality. Don't get me wrong, I know there are some really great products out there that have made mommyhood a lot easier and I am thrilled to have had the pleasure to use some of them. But, the stack of plates and bowls under my counter just didn't meet all my expectations and magically turn my little nosher into a chow hound.

So it has come to this. I just need to relax.

My take-a-ways from this introspective look at my frustration with meals this week? You really can survive on blueberries and Cheddar Bunnies. My child will not starve. And if the kid is really hungry, he'll eat off a paper plate with his hands.

Wordless Wednesday - All the necessities

Everything you need to watch a video.

Running for burgers

So, as I had posted last Friday, the hubby and I struck the babysitter jackpot and were able to go out on a much needed date night. We wanted to check out the new wine bar downtown, The Main Street Wine Company, and thought this was the perfect time to do it since people often give you strange looks when you park a stroller in the aisle of a wine bar.

After preparing my son a nutrient-rich meal of chicken nuggets and fries, we left the new sitter in charge of ketchup cleanup and headed out the door. I felt like I was 13 sneaking out of the house, my stomach was in knots. I was a little nervous leaving him. A glass of wine would help.

I drove toward our destination as fast as I could without risking a chat with HB's finest. We got there at what we thought was pretty early, a little after 6PM. We walked through the door and headed to the bar. A wave of panic came over me as we discovered the place was packed. Standing room only. Not one single space at the bar or at any of the surrounding wine barrels with glass tops and studded leather chairs. Oh, no, are we seriously going to end up grabbing Del Taco on the way back home and sitting in front of our house?

We decided standing would be okay and pull up to a slab on the corner of the bar and try out a flight and a cheese platter. After all, this little escape was costing us 15 bucks an hour and I wasn't about to turn around and head back now.

The flight of wine was pretty good. It was billed as 3 great tasting, but inexpensive reds. Just what the unemployed, stay-at-home mom is looking for. Especially on those extra whiny days.

Before we knew it, the cheese platter was devoured and the flight had come to a landing. It's amazing how quickly an hour flies by these days. I can remember when an hour was like an eternity and now its like 30 seconds. Instead of sticking around and standing on my 4 inch spiked heels (come on, it was date night) and enjoying another glass of wine, the husband and I (stupidly) thought we could catch a quick bite to eat. We only had the babysitter for 2 hours since it was a "try-out" and the original plan was to check out the wine bar then head home.

But, no, we got ambitious (as if there would never be another date night in our future) and thought we could fit in a little dinner as well. So off we were. Running down Main Street in my stilts, trying to make it to our favorite

restaurant, 25 Degrees. They have the best burger in town! It's pan fried - not like those other burger joints who grill theirs - no, these burgers come with all the fat and all the deliciousness! The anxiety I had for abandoning my son and leaving him with someone I had just learned the last name of, was subsiding a bit from the wine and by the fact that every bar and restaurant we passed on the way was pretty empty. I thought we might even pull this off!

As we rounded the corner in record time, it was no surprise that the place was packed with a group of people waiting outside. "Our table" was being occupied by a couple who no doubtingly were smart enough to know that you can't fit in wine tasting AND a great burger joint in one night. So there they were, enjoying a big fat, juicy, can't eat it without a knife and fork, burger that I wanted so badly. I felt a bit embarrassed as they turned and looked at me looking at them through the window, like a freezing cold dog in the snow so desperately wanting in.

Oh, well there wasn't enough time to think twice about our zealousness, the clock was ticking and we weren't about to give up. We abandoned our spot at the wine bar for food and that's what we were going to get. Now off to Fred's for some Mexican. Not really what I had expected, but Fred's has some really good crispy chicken tacos. I sent my husband up the, what seems like, 18 flights of stairs to check out if it was busy before I traversed that obstacle in my selected footwear.

It was packed.

At this point, I figure we had tried to fly to close to the sun, and got burned. It was looking like drive through paper wrappers were in my future. On the slow walk (no sense in rushing now) back up Main Street, we look up at Silvera's. A "fine dining" steakhouse that had opened a few years ago by David Silvera of the band Korn. It didn't really meet up to expectations. We had heard that they had changed the "format" and was now calling it "Rockbar" with a backwards 'r'. What the hell, we decided to give it a try. Up the stairs we went. The place was empty with only one guy (we found out later was from Chicago) sitting at the bar. I asked for the wine list and was informed that they only had one. Great, so I ordered the red one. The menu was now your typical "bar food", anything and everything fried. But they had a burger, so I was happy. The drunk guy next to us, "Chicago", started buying rounds for everyone, which was interesting since there wasn't anyone in the bar, but we appreciated the extra glass of last night's bottle of "red". With 20 minutes left in our date night to scarf down our calamari and burger, I was happy were finally eating.

Now, the mad dash back to the car, after a quick stop at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a caramel apple. We pull up to our house with 2 minutes to spare. Sigh of relief.

Looking back at the night, it was a great experience for our first time babysitter date night. Next time we know, either build in an extra hour, make reservations somewhere or just don't try to jam so many things into one night. There will be others!