My kids that is.

See, I had ONE kid back in 1994. We blissfully adventured through life. I really didn’t have to worry about dating her, because it was just her; the one and only. No sibling competition, no fights, no complaints. She liked being an only child. We dated a lot. Even at sixteen, we still go on dates. Her favorite place? Macaroni Grill. Her favorite dish? Penne Rustica. YUM.

Two years ago, enter into the picture Jason’s little girls. Two years apart. As the younger one, Bridget, has grown and found her voice – competition is FIERCE. I can promise you….you can’t out talk, over talk, keepupwithtalking to either of them. Can we say the din is a little noisy?

Then, there is lots of tugs of wars over prized purses, who sits on which side of the car, who sits next to Dad at dinner, who got more, who got less..but, but, but it’s not FAIR.

Ensue breakdown and tears.

I have to say to all the parents of more than one – HOW DO YOU DO IT? I mistakenly viewed more than one child similar to more than one pet. You just fold them into the mix and it all works out. Heh! When you have personalities, opinions, and thinkers – that’s not going to happen. It’s been interesting and challenging with more than one. I adore how they are different and I love how they learn to speak up, and fight for their right for attention, but I also learned….they need some one on one time.

So I started dating. Again. Jason started dating. Again.

And you know what? It is sooooo much fun to have that individual time like I had with Sydney.

My first date a few weeks ago with Molly was to the movies. We saw Shrek 3. The movie is GOOD – a little dark for a six-year old and a non-shrek fan. But the popcorn was delicious!

We went to a nail salon after to salvage our date. I was really concerned how she would handle, um, sitting still. We did a pedicure.

Molly getting her first pedicure at the Salon.

Not only did she sit still, but she didn’t complain. She didn’t get bored. She didn’t ask to go potty a hundred times. She loved it. We got our nails done too.

It was a greeeeeatttt date.

Jason at the same time took Bridget to Chuck-e-Cheese. Four-year old at Chuck-e-Cheese nuf’ said.

Enter date number two, which got pushed back by one day due to scheduling conflicts [cough] we forgot [ end cough]. Other factors pushed it to dinner time; me cleaning out the attic, and Jason giving his friend’s brother a lift to work when his car wouldn’t start.

The tea room I was going to take her to? Not open on Sunday. I had to think of another date quick and Chuck-e-Cheese had already been taken.

So, I let her decide. And she picked Purple Cow. Atta girl!

We got to sit at the counter, which was really cool until Bridget needed me to scoot her stool up. Whoops!

She quite enjoyed MY chocolate milkshake. Heeeyyy where is your purple one? Note to self: ONE milkshake shared is PLENTY.

Bridget and I, a night out at the Purple Cow.

Bridget with her purple cow in memory of our “date”.

She ate mac and cheese with a PB&J sandwich. We counted our drinks (six), divided them (3 each), then added them together (6!). We clapped six times. We toasted our milkshake mugs and we thoroughly entertained ourselves.

Afterward, Bridget insisted we had to buy FOUR cupcakes for dessert. One for me, one for Molly, one for Daddy, and one for her, because she is sweet and thoughtful like that. Luckily, there was a Central Market right behind us. We found some scrumptious cakes! AND? She got a green balloon, she named Salem (ha).

The ride home was singing and listening to the same song over and over, no not Hannah (that was earlier) – a rap song, yo. That’s how we roll in the hooptie.

Molly and Jason went to a hibachi grill and had a blast almost catching on fire. That’s hot.

When the dates come to an end, and the girls reunite, it’s always the same. A sweet hug of sistership. No really! It is.

If you can arrange this with your children, do it, it is worth the precious memories.

Happy dating (again).