Doable Dates for Couples with Preschoolers

Okay - Let's admit it. Life with preschoolers can get a little hectic. Moms crave adult time and romance. The guy wants romance... No relationship will thrive when little or no attention is spent nurturing it. Here are some simple ideas to help keep the friendship alive.

1) Make the most of naptime. Saturdays especially are good for this. Plan a special mid-afternoon dinner for two. With any luck, you can get to the dessert and beyond while the little tykes are blissfully asleep.

2) Make a habit of sending ALL children to bed reasonably early. 8 pm at the latest. Mom, take a nap earlier in the day to allow yourself the physical ability to stay awake longer at night. Once the kids are in bed - it's time to shake loose and have fun! Rent a movie, make homemade popcorn (recipe to follow), and snuggle close.

3) On nice summer evenings, make homemade malts (recipe to follow) to enjoy together outside under the stars.

4) Hire a babysitter, and head out to a scenic location. Bring a camera and take pictures of each other in fun poses. Take advantage of other people who chance by - ask them to take a picture of the two of you. When you have the photos printed, design a photo album for pictures only of the two of you. No kids allowed!

5) If you have a backyard (or a balcony could work), decorate with a beach theme and have a "picnic at the beach." Spread out blankets under an umbrella and eat in your swim suit.

6) Set aside a time each week for "talk time." Write down several topics on separate sheets of paper. Put them in a box, and each time each of you draws out one topic. Those are your topics for the night. Choose subjects such as favorite movie, dream house, what country in Europe would you travel to and why... Topics to avoid: children, sports, and work.

Remember, no matter what you decide to do, make it fun, and do it often! Be spontaneous and creative. Nothing will help your relationship so much as some good kick-back time.

Popcorn for two:

1 large kettle with lid
1/4 or less vegetable oil
½ heaping cup unpopped popcorn (not the microwave variety)
½ cup butter
plenty of salt to taste.

Put the oil in the kettle, and turn the heat to medium high. Put 2 kernels of popcorn in the kettle and cover. Wait and listen until you hear at least one kernels pop. Pour the rest of the popcorn into the pan and cover. Shake the kettle periodically (to let unpopped kernels fall to the bottom of the pan, and also to avoid burning the popcorn). Meanwhile, melt butter. When you hear the popcorn slowing down to about 2-3 seconds between pops, remove from heat immediately. A few more kernels may still pop. Dump the popcorn into a large bowl. Drizzle butter over the popcorn and stir. Salt to taste and enjoy!

Homemade Malt

Blender

quart of vanilla ice cream
½ cup milk
6 heaping spoons of chocolate ovaltine
A LOT of Hershey's syrup
whipped cream in a can
maraschino cherries

Put ice cream, milk, chocolate ovaltine, and Hershey's syrup in the blender and blend! For a thicker malt, use more ice cream, for thinner malts, use more milk. Pour into tall glasses, Serve with whipped cream and a cherry on top.