A Fun Night With Rex

Fun with Rex used to mean standing in front of my closet for a good 30 minutes trying to pick out just the right outfit, then an hour or more doing my hair, make up and nails, then possibly changing clothes again and touching up makeup to go with new outfit. Agonizing over all the small things was kind of fun, part of the sacred ritual of dating.
An average date for Rex and I would be dinner, maybe someplace new to try something different. Later we would drive around aimlessly listening to the radio. Then we might go to Gregg Park or the George Rogers Clark Memorial for a quiet walk. We would often go to the movies. (We have probably seen every movie made in the 90's) After the movie we would go back to the park for a talk about our future or maybe to the 6th Street McDonald's to see which of our friends were out "cruising". Then as the clock got closer to curfew time we'd rush back to my house where we'd steal as many kisses as possible in the drive until I finally had to get out of the car and rush up the sidewalk and into the house before I was too late. My heart would be all a flutter and I would lie in bed replaying the special moments of the night in my head until I finally fell asleep.
Now a fun night with Rex is a bit different. I usually take a moment to make sure there is no spit up or dried food on my clothes. If there is a stain, can it be concealed or do I really need to change clothes? I have about 3 minutes to fix my hair and apply a smidge of makeup before the baby starts to fuss. Then I quickly agonize over the small things: are there enough diapers? do I have a change of clothes for Kayelynn in case of a diaper blowout? do I have a change of clothes for Trey in case of a poopy accident? do I have the special travel potty seat to combat Trey's aversion to public toilets? do I have a sippy cup, a rattle, wet wipes, burp cloth, my wallet, keys. OK, we can go now. Everybody in the car where we will listen to a lovely selection of toddler friendly music. Then the main attraction, supper at McDonald's in Washington where Trey can play "on the big slide".
Usually there are other families there too. So, conversation isn't easy to have above the squeals of excited kids at play. After our meals are eaten and sufficient play time rendered it is a 5-10 minute process to gather the kids and our belongings and make it back to the car. For the entertainment of Rex and Trey, we will cruise through the Case dealership to Oooo and Ahhh over tractors. We will make our way back home to give the kids their baths. Then a story for Trey, cereal for Kayelynn. After all of that, Rex will curl up on the couch. I will sit in my rocker with Kayelynn. I'll nurse her to sleep while Rex and I watch tv together. We'll watch tv for awhile and talk about the plans for the next day until one of us can't stay awake any longer. A quick kiss goodnight and its off to bed.
Things sure are different for us these days but somehow I don't mind so much.