I think every mom (or dad) would agree that when your children are young, date nights are few and far between. By the time you arrange for a sitter, dinner, and maybe a movie (or other activity) you are just too exhausted or out of money! Another thing that is rare is going out with all of your friend’s kid free (especially when you have to find babysitters for 9 kids). Well the cards must have all been in our favor!!!

On Sunday evening, one of the mothers at our church and our youth group agreed to watch all of the kids!!! Bug (my daughter) was so excited because it meant playing with the big kids and eating macaroni and cheese (she doesn’t eat this at our house). As we all dropped our kids off, we began discussing what to do?!?! Decisions…decisions…decisions! We knew we wanted to go somewhere to talk (without interruption), but not spend a tremendous amount of money. We decided on bowling and then dinner!

Do you know what it cost to bowl these days?!?!?! So much for a cheap date!!! We decided to bowl two games, girls against guys. I am not a bowler and haven’t bowled in more than 10 years. Needless to say, I didn’t add much to our score. Ben (my husband) has the crazy professional bowling stance, but mine needs a little work! I got the nickname “The Hopper” (not amused). There is a video floating around of me bowling, but it better not surface! We had so much fun as a group! What can I say, “When the children are away, the parents will play!” We took crazy pictures, relaxed, laughed, made jokes, and enjoyed each other company!

Here are a few:

Got to love the shoes! For a germaphope it is hard to put your feet in bowling shoes!

Here is my husband rocking his shoes!

As date night ended, we were sad we didn’t have more time, but were ready to get back to being mom and dad. I am truly thankful for this group of friends! We are going to go out more as a group. Anyone want to watch 9 kids?!?! I just want to say a huge thank you to the ladies in our church and youth that made this possible!

We have some friends that have a standing date night once a month. Ben and I just go out whenever we can. We enjoy watching a movie together at home, just as much as going out to dinner. Does anyone else have a once a month tradition? What about going out with other couples? Do you have to move heaven and earth to make that happen? Also, does anyone have some great cheap date suggestions (because it is definitely not bowling)?