Parenting Back to Basics III: First Things First

How "uncool" can one get? Monkey mom carrying monkey child!

Monkey family at Orang-Utan exhibits!

For those die-hard friends waiting to get a pic of of Alex and myself, I have some terrible news. The last pic we took with just the two of us was back in September last year. The latest one of us as a family was this Sept at Mathena's birthday-do and I looked REAL bad! So, you will not get to see it. Instead, I've decided to post pics of us separately with the kids (someone had to hold the camera!)

Why all the drama with the "couple" photoes?

Well,...tonight we went out and did what all parents should do. We went out without kids, for dinner, for each other, just because!! No, it was neither of our birthdays and we were not celebrating! It's been a looooong while since we've gone out as a couple to just enjoy each other's company for the very reason of just being together. It was nice.

Been feeling real "low" last couple of weeks and figured that I would love to have a nice dinner with Alex (without the cooking) without the girls. To the disappointment of the two girls (they don't enjoy being left out!), we arranged for a babysitter, got the entire evening routine-d out and had them in bed by 7.30pm. I went off to meet Alex after work.

In the good ol' days of Wollongong, we were so blessed to have a huge church and friends support that we can easily pick up the phone to have our girls looked after while we go for our fortnightly (if weekly) "date". It's a HUGE ask even then as we had to pay for babysitters and for dinner. As a result, quite often, we just went out for dessert, for a car-ride or just somewhere "nice" for a drink. Yes, those days are long gone...and we have to start all over to find our new network.

So what happened tonight? Wanna know the goss?

Well, not much really. I get to choose my own dinner for my own tastebuds. I get to eat it while it is still piping hot. I get to talk to Alex uninterrupted. I get to even browse at the menu for "optional extras" just in case I was still hungry after. I ordered dessert and...

I asked for the kid's menu. Was firstly handed the CAKE menu (Singapore service), but later got what I wanted. Found the colouring section of the disposable paper menu and started doodling my "art". Huh?!? Okay, it was very therapeutic for me...to be doing artwork in a nice restaurant as a young wife with his loving husband. Alright, I do admit I looked kinda "weird" but I am here to blog about it. I lived it, I loved it.

I am home happy that I spent the last 2-3 hours hmmm-ing at my husband's ideas, dreams and visions. I am happy that we did not start a "revolt" against the Singapore taxis (one of his ideas!) I am happy that we held hands, we walked GODZILLION miles trying to get to Suntec City. I am happy that I came home to a quiet and peaceful house, girls all tucked in bed with no reports of any drama. I am the happiest because I am STILL married to the same man I first dated more than 12 years ago.

Go ahead...try it guys! It'll work wonders to marriage (or your blogging at least!) Let's put FIRST things first. The night is still young....

Is that "zzz, snort, zzz" I hear next to me?