My Date With Aaron

The only dandelion in the yard.

Blowing and making a wish...

Hoping it comes true.

On Tuesday Aaron and I had a date!  Our special day, just us, on a trip to Arden Fair Mall.  I know, most of you are like Why the heck would you take a toddler to the mall on purpose?  But on Tuesdays Pottery Barn Kids has a free story time!  And this Tuesday was a special St. Patrick's Day themed story and craft.  

So we all got up in the morning, took Elizabeth to Grandpa and Grandmas' and Aaron and I were off to Arden.  We got there a bit early so he was able to explore the store and check out all the cool items - books, stuffed animals, toys.  You'd be surprised how much a little kid would like that place!  

This was our first time and Aaron was a bit shy but he listened to the whole story and during craft he agreed to do it if he could have his own table.  So he drew a leprechaun trap, complete with gold coins and a leprechaun.  Then he made a leprechaun straw to drink out of and left with his crafts and a green beaded necklace.  

Then we walked around the Easter Bunny display in the center of the mall for a bit and headed up to the only store in the mall he's really interested in...... The Disney Store.  We walked around for about 20 minutes while he looked and touched just about everything but exercising patience during this means we can usually leave the store without having to purchase something and so we did!  

Then we went to Nordstrom to eat lunch (seriously, is there anything better?) and got Aaron's feet sized.  (He's now a 10.5 or 11 - WIDE).  They actually had some Keen sandals in stock that fit him and were amazingly under $50 so we got those for him.  I had a gift card that I  never spent from my last birthday and a $20 Nordstrom Note so I left with some adorable shoes too!  Luckily I haven't had a pedicure yet so I didn't dare try on any sandals and spend even more money.  But with the gift card and the Nordstrom Note, I only had to pay 15 cents for my adorable Superga shoes.  I'd say that's a win!

Then we spent the rest of the afternoon at Grandpa & Grandmas' house.  I'd say the entire day was a win!  

I just want him to know he's still our special boy.  Love him!

     

Valentine's Day in Pictures

Valentine's Day Card from us to Aaron.  It read: I love you with every appendage I have.

Aaron's Valentine's Day Lunch.  Heart-shaped PB&J and some of his favorite fruit.

Aaron enjoying his lunch.  His card and Sweetheart Candies (from Elizabeth) are waiting to be opened!

Elizabeth Grace wore her Valentine outfit for Daddy!  Isn't she the cutest?!

And after a wonderful afternoon, I dropped the kiddos off to spend the rest of their Valentine's Day with their grandparents.  Josh and I had a date to see A Good Day to Die Hard (my choice!) and eat some yummy dinner at Romano's Macaroni Grill.  Yeah, I know it's basically a step up from the Olive Garden but .... we poor, y'all.  And you know what?  It was the best date we've had in a super, super long time!  

The movie was kick-ass and the theater basically empty (bonus!).  And after we were told the wait at the restaurant would be an hour and a half, I situated us right between the front door and the bar seating area (first come, first serve of course).  After 10 minutes of using my super awesome stealthy observation skills, we had procured ourselves a small booth!  Seriously, bar seating is like a sport to me!  And I rarely lose!!  Haha!  

We had a really good appetizer of fried mac n' cheese with truffle sauce & fresh bruschetta.  Josh had a beer and the chicken parmesan and I had a peach bellini (yum!) and the lobster ravioli.  Then we split the quattro cannoli for dessert and I had a vanilla latte.  Everything was delish and our waiter was pretty awesome considering he had some douchebag asshat who had been sitting by the bar waiting for his own table (drinking the entire time) who decided he wanted to yell at our waiter because it was taking so long for OTHER RANDOM PEOPLE HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW to be served.  He went on about he could "run the joint", etc.  You know - that guy.  PS - we got our table at the bar while this guy was busy being an asshole.  So there!

Then we went to pick up our munchkins and I was able (ok, I tried) to take this fun family photo before everyone was sent to bed!  

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope your Valentine's Day was just as awesome!