Good Papa and I just celebrated W’s first birthday this past Monday.
Our 2nd anniversary was also this past Monday.
Two years ago on August 4th my stomach filled with butterflies as I anxiously prepared to walk down the aisle. One year ago on August 4th it felt as if those butterflies had grew horns and sharp spiky tails and began to thrash around wreaking havoc on my insides.
Oh! What a difference a year makes!
I wrote on Monday the importance of making time for your husband. So, I compiled a simple list of 5 stay-at-home date night ideas for those nights you just can’t find a babysitter…
1. Make dinner together
We usually eat dinner as a family- Good Papa, myself, and W (remember the whole “Baby-Led Weaning thing?”).
Once in awhile it’s nice to let W eat before us, tuck him into bed (he goes down so easily), and have a romantic evening cooking together.
It’s a great chance to unwind after a long, stressful day, and have an adult conversation.
It’s even better if your spouse offers to cook. Oh yes, Good Papa enjoys cooking. I know, I know, I’m too lucky!
2. Movie Night
Good Papa and I love going to the movies. We have discovered, however, that it is a lot more difficult to get out to the movies after having a baby.
A word to pregnant, first time moms- go to the movies as often as you can now!
While nothing beats heading out to the theater and sitting down with a big bag of movie-theater popcorn, you can definitely recreate the same “feeling” at home.
Make popcorn (try out this amazing idea for home-made microwaveable popcorn over at Life with Garnish), dim the lights, and don’t forget to take turns choosing the movie!
I’m pretty sure it’s my turn to pick the movie. Right, Good Papa?
3. Game Night
Honestly, we are not huge “gamers.” Yet, we have had some great times playing games.
It’s something different. It’s an easy way to mix things up on a boring, mundane week-day night.
I can be a bit of a sore winner at times. Luckily, Good Papa usually beats me!
There are lots of board games, but card games are a really easy way to go for just two players.
What’s your favorite board game/card game to play?
4. Wine & Cheese Tasting
Um, isn’t every night “Wine & Cheese Tasting” night? It should be!
Who doesn’t love a good wine paired perfectly with just the right bite of cheese?
Alright, maybe I haven’t a clue on how to pair wine and cheese, and, when it comes to wines, let’s just say,
I’m no sommelier.
Still, there’s something so romantic about trying a variety of cheeses, drinking wine, and listening to some good, jazzy music all while chatting it up with the love of your life.
5. Just talk
Yep, turn off the TV (sorry, no netflix marathons), look away from the iPads/iphones/kindles/etc. and just enjoy the quiet stillness with your spouse.
There are those nights, as we lay our heads on our pillows, I’ll realize that I just haven’t talked enough with Good Papa. When this happens I like to say,
Sooo, I know you are about to go to sleep, buttt… let’s talk about something!
Good Papa just loves this.
It can be difficult to put down the electronics and just be present in the moment. They are ridiculously addicting!
Yet, I love the moments when I finally put the phone down, look up at the person I decided to spend the rest of my life with, and realize how truly blessed I am.
On that note, I’ll be signing off…
What are some of your date night ideas? What do you do to “keep the romance alive?” Leave me a comment below!
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Love these ideas! Now that we have had our second child, we are pretty much home bound for the foreseeable future. We need to get better at disconnecting and just talking, so hard to do with all of our gadgets!
Thanks. I can only imagine it just gets more difficult to have romantic nights with your spouse after you add the 2nd to the mix!
#1 is our favorite for home date nights! We both love to cook, and it’s so much making time to do it together 😉
I agree! It’s so much fun to cook together.
It’s hard to get out once you have children, so these are great pointers to use to connect at home with the little one. We used to do a real date night every month or two, but it’s more of an anniversary only thing since our second child was born. We have our kids do a movie in their room while we watch something more advanced than Elmo in the living room or just have an adult conversation without input from toddlers. 🙂
Keisha recently posted…Tomato Cucumber Macaroni Salad
always great to have a date night, we try to do 2 per month, it is so important for any marriage or a relationship .
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Terri recently posted…Wednesdays for Women~ Grudges
Terri- That’s a good idea to have a goal for date nights. We are lucky W has such awesome grandparents that like to watch him for us. Thanks for following!
These are all fun ideas! When we watch a movie, I like getting popcorn and treats. It makes it seem more like going out to the movies.
Melissa Matters recently posted…I Have a Love-Hate Relationship with Playdates
Melissa- Yes, it’s a lot cheaper too!
Wine/cognac together while cooking! Especially Friday night.
Making breakfast together after church on Sunday mornings.
Coffee in bed in the morning.
Love your post and pictures – what a fabulous wedding!! xo
Rose- You two are a great cooking duo! Thanks for the comment
This is great! I love the idea of just talking. We tend to watch Netflix marathons, which is fun, but not a great way to reconnect after a long day. Thanks for these ideas!
Mommy A to Z recently posted…O is for . . . Only Children (And Why I’m Not Raising One)
Mommy A to Z- Yes, it feels good to take a break from the netflix marathons every once in awhile. Thanks for your comment!
My husband just LOVES when we are going to bed and I say “talk to me!!!” Haha! We have a weekly in home date night. Spending one on one time is a priority and it helps our marriage thrive. These are great date night ideas 🙂
Stephanie- haha, I thought I was the only one! Thanks!
Great suggestions Tricia! Sometimes staying at home for date night is much easier. Finding a sitter can be tough and paying a sitter + a night out can be expensive. The most important thing is to find ways to stay connected with your spouse and you gave some awesome ideas. Great post! 🙂
Nicole recently posted…Garden on Wheelz
Nicole- Thanks. I think any type of date night is important, whether you are going out or staying in!
I love all of these ideas!
Amber recently posted…Review: Immaculate Baking Dry Baking Mixes!! #IBBakesWell #PlatefullCoOp #Paid
Amber- Thank you!
All great date night ideas! Thanks for sharing at the Bloggers Brag Pinterest Party.
Kim- Thanks for your comment. I love the Bloggers Brag Pinterest party!
Happy anniversary a little bit late! Those are all such great suggestions. And I love your description of the difference between your wedding day and the day you had your son. Too funny!
Lauren recently posted…Seven Signs That Fall is on Its Way
Lauren- Thank you! My husband totally called it that our son would be born on our anniversary. Two VERY different days.
My husband and I have been married for 8 years this October (together 10+). We pretty much drive each other batty!
These are our “date night” scenarios…
1. Cooking dinner “together” is usually me and my Mini-Me preparing something. The mister prefers to cook by himself, “in peace”.
2. Movies? As long as I don’t mind snoring through the entire movie, it’s fine. Seriously, we went to see a movie and he fell asleep 17x in the first half. I finally told him to go sit in the car! I agree on going to movies a lot before kids. It’s a little tougher to find the time afterwards (unless you are willing to see every single kiddie movie that comes out! lol)
3. Games.. Since we have yet to find a game he actually enjoys playing, “game night” usually consists of us watching Mini play Xbox. She has vainly tried to explain Minecraft to me. I’m lost.
4. The wine is mine and the cheese is his. We don’t go to wineries anymore because he actually complains about the taste. Plus he’s a lightweight and gets buzzed off one glass.
5. Talking always ends in arguing. If I have something important to say, I write it down. If he reads it, he reads it. If not, one of my friends is always a call away 🙂
Great ideas though! I love reading about others who actually enjoy spending time with their spouses (no sarcasm.. I’m serious!).
Tina – Tina B’s World recently posted…Five Songs That Inspire Me
Tina- Thanks for your comment! 10 years is great. I really hope you are joking though! Writing things down is good. Good Papa will write me an e-mail if something is on his mind.