One of my new year goals is to take my boys on dates. I want them to get one on one time attention with me. They are so jealous of Chet and I's date night, I thought it might be fun for them. The first to go was Carter.
We went to Old Chicago at happy hour, which is half off appetizers. We ordered everyone Carter wanted, and still only ended up $21 with tip. Carter is my money boy, so he thought that was awesome. As we got into the car, I asked him what we should do next. He said that he wanted to go home and play gin in front of the fire. I told him that if we went home then everyone would be right there. So instead we went to Walgreens, bought cards and a treat of his choice, and went to the library and played and ate our treat. We laughed and laughed and had a great time. At one point Carter said, "I am sorry if I bored you tonight." At which I, confused, said, " Why would you think that? You didn't bore me!" He replied, "I know that I have talked all night about lots of stuff and I just thought that stuff usually bores you." It broke my heart. I explained to him that this was why I was taking him on a date, and why mom and dad go on dates, because you just cannot talk about the little things when there are 5 others right there in your space. When we are at home I have to be taking care of everyone and cannot have him talk for 3 hours solid about anything and everything. I learned so much about him and his thoughts and worries by having that individual time. He got a big smile and said oh good. I have loved tonight. It was worth every dollar, minute, and anything else given to have that time with him.
Next was Carson. We found this hip hop dance company that was coming to Gillette, so Cars and I planned weeks ago to go to this show. It was last night, and luck would have it, I was super sick and so was Colby. I asked Chet if it would be possible for him to take Cars. As I talked to Cars about it, he decided that he would rather go to the field and dirt bike than to the dance show. Chet agreed to take him. They went and Carson "mudded" for well over an hour. He got the bike stuck, ran through huge puddles of water, and rode to his hearts content! When they got home so Chet could cook the family some dinner (him and Cars were going to KFC for dinner), Cars came in to my bed and gave me the play by play of his riding. Then he whispered to me that he was going to KFC with dad. He was on cloud nine. Chet got us some dinner in the oven and they left to wash the bike and go to dinner. After returning Carson tells me, "There was mud everywhere! Mom! It was everywhere! We had to dig it out of the tires and all over the bike. It was just everywhere. That was SOOOOO much fun. And we ate at KFC and it was so good and our fingers were sooooo greasy and I LOVED it!" Chet came into the room and him and Cars were just laughing about different things that happened and were both telling me stories of their night and making fun of each other. It was glorious to see. Of all the boys, Cars and Chet struggle the most. They seem to fight all the time. But last night was heaven on earth. After Cars left Chet told me, "Remember how you said that you didn't say much and Carter just talked the WHOLE time? Well, I didn't really understand until tonight what you meant. Carson NEVER stopped talking!
I really had no idea how important these little dates would be. The boys cannot wait for it to be their turn. Colby was talking to me today about what he wants to do. I told him that I get to be with him everyday. He looked at me while he was obviously thinking and disappointed and said, "But I want to go on a night date like brothers." I told him that him and dad could go on one too! I need to make more of an effort to spend one on one time with the boys, where they are my only focus. I take them individually to run errands or go to the store, but I'm still occupied. I love being a mother! Hardest thing EVER, but worth it in these small moments of happiness that over shadow all the hard and frustrating things that come with being mom! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!!!
