For our fifth anniversary back in November, my gift to Austin was 52 stay-at-home date nights, planned and ready to go (for the most part). I've really been wanting to share these with you, but hadn't really decided how to go about it. So, in this post, I'll catch you up on all the dates we've done so far, then I'll continue with a monthly date update for the rest of the year which will have four or five dates per post. Then, after our next anniversary, I'll do a big end-of-the-year evaluation and publish my entire spreadsheet, complete with links, shopping lists, etc. Cool?
This is how our dates go down each week. Austin chooses an envelope at random. Some have a smaller envelope attached to the front with a shopping list for the week (mostly perishable items). We plan to do the date sometime over the weekend, and every date is planned so that we can do the activity after the kids go to bed. Of course, we are occasionally interrupted by a little one... or we fall asleep watching a movie, but still... they've been pretty successful date nights for the most part.
Date Night #1: Edward Norton Movie Night
Austin's favorite actor is Edward Norton, so I looked online to find the top Edward Norton movies and picked up a few at our video store. We ended up watching Rounders.
Date Night #2: Mystery Date
Inside the envelope was a clue that lead to a series of other clues for Austin to follow. Along with each clue, he found items to gather from around the house. Everything culminated into a picnic on the veranda complete with a picnic basket and a candle from our wedding (two of the items he picked up with the clues).
Date Night #3: Puzzle Night
We watched an episode of "The New Girl" while working on a new puzzle. We got most of the perimeter finished, but haven't actually gotten around to completing the whole thing... still.
Date Night #4: Interviews
I found a great list of 20 questions for married couples to ask each other. Alternating questions between the two of us, we spent the evening talking about the past, present, and future of our relationship.
Date Night #5: The Not-So-Newlywed Game
We played a printable "newlywed" game that I found online which mostly represented the early years of marriage. We both got less than half the questions right! Haha--here's to many more years of getting to know each other! Then we watched the movie "Hope Spring," a movie about a couple in the later years of marriage. It was a bit strange... and we both fell asleep anyway.
Date Night #6: Christmas Date
Yes, I spelled "Christmas" wrong on the card in the picture. Lame. I know. For this date, we made our own version of mulled cider, watched "The Holiday," and wrapped Christmas presents for the kids.
Date Night #7: Crossword Night
Using a crossword puzzle generator, I made a puzzle using early memories from our relationship, mostly from college. Then, I created a giant version of the puzzle. I definitely should have made a key though. It took us both awhile to figure out a few of these.
Date Night #8: Duct Tape Night
"Make something for your spouse using duct tape," was the instruction I included in this envelope. After spending about 20 minutes scouring the Internet for duct tape craft tutorials, we got to work. I created a padded laptop sleeve for Austin using bubble wrap. He crafted a sweet, duct tape lined tote bag using a shirt I bought in Turkey a few years ago (one of those market shopping experiences when I get too anxious to notice that I'm purchasing a XXL shirt). I have to say, I really hit the husband jackpot when it comes to craftiness (and pretty much everything else too). This bag is amazing! It's my go-to bag these days.
Date Night #9: A Special Movie
The second movie we ever saw together was "Radio." We went to see it at the Blue Ridge Cinema $1.50 theater in Raleigh while we were in college, so for this date, we popped some popcorn and watched it again..... but fell asleep. Oh, the joys of parenthood...
Date Night #9: Hit the Green
We played 18 holes of Wii golf for this date night. I took a golfing course in college so, Austin and I went a few times together while we were dating. Yes, I absolutely rocked a pink golf glove. Unfortunately though, it was a hobby that died soon after we moved to the Middle East. Nintendo: Reviving Golf Dreams in the Desert!
Date Night #10: Schnapsen
When we lived in Jordan, Austin and I had a lot of fun playing cards with friends. Whether it's the two small people sucking the time out of schedule or the distance between us and the next expat family, something has kept us from playing frequent card games since we moved here. So, for this date, we learned to play a two player card game: Schapsen (a.k.a. "66"). We're fans now.
Date Night #11: Pajama Party
I picked up a pizza, we made some egg-less cookie dough, and we pulled blankets and pillows onto the living room floor to enjoy a movie together. I told Austin he'd better not fall asleep or else I'd have to put shaving cream on his hand and tickle his nose. Amazingly enough, we both stayed awake for the entire film: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.
Date Night #12: Sweet Sushi
We made a form of "dessert sushi" using rice krispie treats, gummy worms, and fruit leather. I won't say it was the healthiest...or the tastiest, but it was fun... and they looked Ah-dorable! Austin took most of our little "sushi" rolls to his students the next day... they loved it.
Date Night #13: Twister
We played our own version of the classic game, Twister, using cut-out circles arranged on our carpet. We took turns calling out moves. The most difficult part was deciding whether to sabotage the other person, or make it super easy on yourself. Let's just say sabotage backfired on me a few times.
Happy Dating!
9. What is your favorite toy? Watson (not sure this is actually true, but it's what he was playing with at the moment)
For our fifth anniversary back in November, my gift to Austin was 52 stay-at-home date nights, planned and ready to go (for the most part). I've really been wanting to share these with you, but hadn't really decided how to go about it. So, in this post, I'll catch you up on all the dates we've done so far, then I'll continue with a monthly date update for the rest of the year which will have four or five dates per post. Then, after our next anniversary, I'll do a big end-of-the-year evaluation and publish my entire spreadsheet, complete with links, shopping lists, etc. Cool?
Even so, we weren't always close companions, and I'm thankful for that. After all, a teenage girl needs a mom more than a friend sometimes. Mom never overdid it though, sometimes a look was all it took. I knew. She never spoke down to me, even at my lowest moments, and OH, did I have some of those. The time I stormed out of my high school cafeteria, livid because I wasn't chosen as captain of the cheerleading squad (yeah, I'm sure I deserved it--HA!)...instead of scolding me, Mom comforted me. I appreciate that. I was one of "those kids." I needed her comfort, her affirmation. There were enough people in the world telling me what I couldn't do, who I couldn't be, and pointing out every other wrong thing about my personality, my body, and my choices. I'm thankful for her hugs and, at times, for her lack of words (or lack of a good smack in the face). I hope I can show that kind of restraint and wisdom with my own kids someday. 
