It was more work than any girl in heels should ever have to do.  Getting ready for a date with a two-year old glued to your leg.  I think I had to reapply deoderant three times before I left.  Her "Mommy is leaving" radar was going off about three hours before departure and she followed me around the house chanting "holdjew, holdjew, holdjew" with arms outstretched.  Meanwhile, I had to get lovely which means everything on my face and body which is normally neglected for purposes of survival had to be tended to.  Then, I had to fix dinner and straighten up because the babysitter can't know that we live like pigs.  When our sitter arrives, Ava is in a full-blown panic.  Olivia's friend from down the street wants to stay and the three of us have a smiling argument while Ella bangs out Heart and Soul on the piano.  Beads of sweat are pouring down as I extract myself from Ava's vice-like grip, throw her at our sitter, grab my husband by the arm and say "Now, now, get out!"  It took me about 45 minutes to relax after that.  My husband didn't seem to notice that I smelled bad.

We had a wonderful time, though.  We ate at a fun local restaurant with great ambiance and our food was fabulous!  I ordered an appetizer of Bacon-wrapped scallops with mango chutney.  Then I headed straight for dessert because I had a terrific salsa class the day before (right?).  My husband had something raw like sashimi tuna something-or-other and then crab bisque.  We talked and talked.  Afterward, we hoped to see a movie.  I was thinking Elizabeth and he was thinking Bourne Ultimatum.  Did I mention that we are the perfect couple????  Well, we missed the 7pm showing and nothing was coming on until close to 10pm.  We considered it but then realized that we would probably fall asleep in the theatre and wake up next morning with plenty of explaining to do.  So, back home again.

All in all, a wonderful time.  On the way home, we were trying to remember where we had eaten for each anniversary.   It was amazing to remember each year, each celebration.  Good times.

Nothing noteworthy to mention schoolwise.  The kids did their regular routine and got fussed at alot.  After I gave them the "today is my anniversary" speech, they straightened up, though.  Really, they are a well-behaved bunch.  I think that, as a parent, the smallest infraction can seem overwhelming only because in a practical sense, I'm outnumbered.  I always pray for wisdom.  I know that is a prayer that God will definitely answer with a "yes!"

I've been up since 4:30 because of --guess who-- Ava.  She went back to sleep, but I kept mentally typing so I figured I'd get in here and crank it out before I had to start my official day on the clock.

Of course, as a mom, you're never really off the clock.

Later.