Marc pulled the car out of the garage as I said good-bye to the kids. At first, neither Isabelle nor Ari came running. But just as I said good-bye to the adult in the room, both kids came running.
“But I don’t want you to go out…” Isabelle whined.
“You always say that before Daddy and I go out on a date. You’ll be fine,” I said kissing her on top of her head.
“You goin’ on a date!” Ari declared.
“That’s right,” I replied.
“Daddy’s goin’ on a date too!” he said.
“Is he going with me?” I asked.
Ari smiled. I gave him a kiss on the head too. However, he tried to follow me out of the door as I walked into the garage. Fortunately, he was redirected with, “Let’s go watch Mommy and Daddy from the window.”
With that, I slithered out the door and into Marc’s car for a much-needed dinner with my husband.
The Circular made their chocolate fondue gluten-free by giving us extra cheesecake and fruit. Delicious!
Raising Literate Humans 
Looks like fun! And, delicious. I love the use of the word “slithered. ” That’s just how it feels, trying to escape before anyone gets upset or cries. Off to sed if I can find some chocolate.
Hope you’ve gotten your chocolate fix by now. 🙂
So important on so many levels… dates, leaving our children with others, and chocolate!
Love that you included the chocolate!
Date nights are important! Glad you had a good time…and you guys look great! 🙂
Thanks! That photo is what time away from your kids after a crazy day looks like!
I love the sweet dialogue of your family as you gracefully slither away into the arms of Hershey fondue! I really need chocolate ASAP. Effective post
Grab yourself a Hershey bar today!
Woohoo for date night and for adults redirecting little ones and for developing language and for a Slice to capture it all!
Thanks, Kristi! He’s talking up a storm.
Yes, the food and evening sound delightful, nicely put how you overcame the obstacles of kids not wanting to let you go!!
We love them, but it’s as good for them to see us go out (as it is for us).
This is wonderful! Sometimes it seems very difficult to find time for each other, especially when you have little kids and busy work life. Eventually it all comes down to priorities and choices. You took/made time for the health of the relationship.
We’ve tried to prioritize it this year. I think we’ve had one date a month since August. 🙂
Now this is self-care! I loved the compliment of words and pictures in this post.
Thanks! We actually took the date selfie for Ari, but when it came time to write my slice for the day, I realized I had the photo and decided to post it. (The fondue photo was intentionally taken for the post.)
We occasionally get a date night, but we savor our date “afternoons” when our kids are still in the throes of the day and the leaving is not as difficult.
This slice reminds me of the days when my kids were little. Enjoy it! And keep up the date nights. They are good for everyone!
I know. We need to do it more often. Right now we average one a month.
Chocolate fondue for dinner? MMmmmmmm!!! Livin’ the life, girlfriend!
It was a well-deserved treat since we had a rough parenting day.
Tasty self-care is a nice treat!
Great that you are managing to still have alone grownup time. I loved reading the different reactions of Ari and Isabelle. I can imagine you slithering out a door that was just barely open for you.
It’s always a slither on a Saturday night!
Such a good reminder that we need time for ourselves and those that matter. The happiness shines through the picture!
We were asked if there was a special occasion we were celebrating last night. I blurted out, “Dinner without our kids.” I felt awful after I said it, but, honestly, it is nice to go out — just the two of us.
So funny, now that my kids are 17 and 19 we never even think of date night anymore. Every night could be date night, but it was more fun when you had to plan it and escape out the door. We used to have a date night once a week. Keep it up – so important to connect and slow down together. Does look very yummy indeed!
We go out about once a month. Wish it was more often, but Isabelle gets a little annoyed when we go out more often. Alas, we’re going out this-coming Saturday too (which we already told her… and she was displeased about)!
Date night should never be neglected. Sort out f jealous about that chocolate.
It was an awesome dessert! Worth every calorie!
How fun!! My wife and I had date night too. Unfortunately, it was after my son’s soccer game that ended at 10:00 PM, so we ended up at a bar for beer and pizza. Still a date!:)
Still a date, for sure!
Date night is ALWAYS a good idea for parents of littles! Good for you guys for taking the much needed time! And that fondue… mouthwatering! Thanks for the reminder that a date night is overdue for us- maybe next weekend…
Yes, do it! As long as you have a sitter or family members you can trust, then it’s always worth it.
Looks like you had a delicious time! My mom and dad went out almost every Saturday night without us. We always complained, but we survived!
Good to know!
Although I’ve only eaten in the Circular Dining Room once, Kathy and I do enjoy going to the Harvest House behind the hotel
Oh, we love Harvest! We rarely go to the Circular. We have been working like crazy and dealing with a lot lately so we thought we’d treat ourselves!
Glad you got away for a well-deserved date night! As you warned, I now need fondue.
Remember my baked goods deal…
Date nights are relationship vitamins! By the way, the cheesecake, fruit, and chocolate look delicious!
Relationship vitamins… I like that!
Sounds like a great date night! And as a new mom it’s so nice to hear of this experience! We aren’t there yet but hope to be soon!
It is hard to make it happen when they’re so little. Alas, kids often sleep well in their carriers.
I adore that you got away for a date night. And with chocolate (a double win)! It sounds heavenly.
It was! The entrees were great too.
Looks like a great date night! My kids are too old to care or even notice when I leave the house. I miss those days a little bit.
I’m sure I’ll miss it one day too.
Yum! I want that right now–all I could find in my house were 3 stale oreos. And I love any dessert that comes on a stick!
You deserve some fudge next weekend!
Look at that fondue. I’ve read in the comments that you get out about once a month – we need to prioritize this around here. Bet that picture would convince my hubby that this is important 🙂
Whatever it takes, Amanda!
Ah, the rare date night! Hope you enjoyed your time sans children.