When you have more than one child, it is sometimes hard to spend that individual one on one time with each of them. You start to play Littlest Pet Shop with your little girl and suddenly fire trucks race to the scene for an extended visit. You are pushing trains around the track when My Little Pony flies in and wants to ride the rails, too.
I love those moments, when it we can all play together, mixing our toy worlds. But at the same time, I know that Peanut would really like to get more involved in LPS and not have Mommy stopping to admire the fire trucks, and I’m sure Monkey would like to push his trains the way he wants and not feel he has to play the way big sister thinks she can dictate.
Solution?
We have been having dates with our kids.
And yesterday was Mommy and Peanut’s big date at the doll house show!
(Which of course gave Daddy and little guy time to play at home together alone.)
I haven’t been to a doll house show since I was pregnant with my little girl – so it’s been a good 5 years. I was excited to be able to return, this time with her. I couldn’t wait to share the experience with her, to watch her eyes grow big and wide at all the itty-bitty miniatures.
We hit the kid’s table first. They still had the grab bags I remember them having when I was a kid. And they were still only 50 cents each! (Yippee!!) She picked out 3 grab bags and several other little items, including a baby doll and doll bed for her little girl. Then we peeked into the grab bags to see what goodies they contained. Each had a little animal (she got 2 cats and a dog), a set of dishes, stickers, and a variety of other little odds and ends. Pretty good for 50 cents!
A few minutes after we started looking at the other tables, her name was called! She won a cute doll house quilt in the kid’s table drawing. She was so excited to win!
(I brought my camera in hopes to capture the moment – but the place was packed!)
We finished looking at all the aisles, picking up a few more little items for her house (and a few for my doll houses, too), before heading home.
She was so tired when we got home she just zoned out for a while and forgot about her goodies until morning.
But she was asking about her treasures bright and early this morning!
Once she examined all her goodies (and ate breakfast), it was time to set it up in her doll house.
We had so much fun; I can’t wait to take her back next year!
Another benefit of our dates? I seem to have much more patience with my angels when dealing with them one on one, and I get to know each of them a little better as individuals!
What’s your favorite way to spend one on one time with your kids?
Emilie - cincinnati says
I also really enjoyed the show. My sons are now on the porch playing with their “bird dollhouse.” Ok, the birds are stuffed animals that are way off scale, but they are having a blast.
admin says
Love that they have a house for their stuffed animals.
Leah says
What a cute doll house. I remember when me and my mom would also play the doll house. I guess that it’s really a good idea to have a solo date for every child. It gives room for more bonding and excitement of what activity to do next.
Donna says
I love the idea of a date with your children. What a fun activity. Who doesn’t love doll houses?
admin says
Date time really is something I’ve come to enjoy.
Naomi says
Yes I have two daughters and we have dates also! My youngest would love to attend A Doll House show. Thanks for sharing!
admin says
Glad you get to date your kids, too! Thanks for stopping by!
Jacklynn says
I love the idea of date nights! Right now we just have one kid and since I stay home it’s kind of like one long date for us haha but I’m excited for her to have dates with her daddy (if nothing else so mommy can have some alone time!).
admin says
Oh, date nights with Daddy are so much fun! Not only does Mommy get a break that way, but little ones get to bond with Daddy more.
Rach says
Fun!
JDaniel4's Mom says
This sounds like a wonderful outing! Grab bags sound like a great way to find treasures!
admin says
The grab bags were awesome – wish we had gotten more!
admin says
Hope you had a great SITS day!