A (mostly) kid free Weekend

Listen, I know if you've been reading this blog for

any length of time that we LOVE our little Max. 

But, there is something to be said for some kid free time. 

On the first weekend of December last year, my parents watched

Max overnight for a couple of days and it was totally refreshing....

not to mention how much stuff we can get done both for the holidays

and around the house without a toddler in tow. 

So, we made a plan to repeat the grandparent weekend this year. 

On Friday, I picked Max up early from daycare and he zonked out

for the entire drive to Dayton. 

(Don't worry - I took the picture while stopped at a red light)

My parents had fun dinner plans on Friday night (that didn't involve us)
...so Max and I hung out with Poppy.

We went to dinner at Chick Fil A and then back to his house

for your average Friday night fun. 

In between Chick Fil A and Poppy's house - I forced them to run 

some errands with me.  Nothing like trying to wrangle your 93 year old grandpa

who insists on pushing the cart along with your toddler...

Once at his house...it appeared Poppy needed help with some administrative tasks :)

Max loved the stapler, highlighters, and shredder!

Poppy rewarded his tiny intern with chocolate chip ice cream...

which Max did not hate. 

Can I also mention that each of them got equal parts ice

cream on the floor and themselves?  #toddlerprobs #seniorproblems

On Saturday morning...I went to a patio pot class at the local

plant nursery.  They help you arrange greenery and berries and such into a lovely arrangement. 

I love this tradition and the pop of color it brings to my porch. 

After class - Max and my parents picked me and we drove

to Lebanon for the horse parade!

We all loved the mini horses...but I have to admit

the Clydesdales were pretty impressive too!

Max also got his first glimpse of someone dressed

as a "grinch" and has been obsessed with the Grinch ever since. 

After the parade, I drove back to Columbus and Max stayed in Dayton. 

Rob and I enjoyed a delightful kid free dinner at Marcellas

and shopping at Polaris Mall.  It was glorious to not

have to issue any threats (eat all your food! hold my hand! don't touch that!) 

and stay out later than 7:45. 

(our foot loose and kid free faces!)

(give me all the cabin socks at Field and Stream!)

Upon coming home we wrapped ALL the presents

while watching Shrek the Halls and Christmas Vacation :)

I stayed up waaayyyyy too late because I was all - I can sleep in tomorrow!

Friends, I slept till 10:45 on Sunday morning. 

It was the best gift EVER.  I love my bed and I love to sleep. 

After rolling out and putting myself together - Auntie Stacy and I had

what I have coined "Sister Sunday Fun Day!".

Even though she was reluctant to come to the mall (at first), 

we both agreed it was the BEST day.

Some of the highlights included...

a stop at the Anthropologie store...

another stop at a gardening store

discovering this pop up marshmallow shop

a picture with my beloved bean boot!

buying Penny a new chew toy!

free tiny wine and cheese samples at Trader Joes

*Not pictured - a most delicious lunch at Cosi Cafe, 

purchasing my new favorite jeans from Nordstrom, 

buying one last Christmas present for Rob, 

buying one more Christmas present for a co-worker,

and generally just all of the awesomeness that comes from 

hanging out with your sister :)

She sent me home to "have a romantic dinner with Rob" -

so we headed to Vaqueros for some Mexican food!

(i love chips and salsa, and Rob :)

It was truly a fantastic weekend - and while we certainly 

missed Max and did our fair share of still talking about him, 

getting text updates from my parents etc....it was

nice to just reconnect with the other adults in my life. 

So...mom and dad...mark your calendars for 2016, k?

xoxo