Raising TEENAGERS-WHY I NEED DATE NIGHT

I never thought I would be here.. honestly I don't know if I'm simple or what but I never really thought past the baby stage.  Does anyone?  I mean you have these darling little bundles of joy (and work) and they're cute.  They are always going to listen to you, eat what you say, do what you say, wear what you say right?!!!!  
I should have known when they (the two teens- 12 mos and 3 weeks apart INSERT BIG WIDE EYES)  started saying "NO" at like 14 mos or something... BUT I STILL DIDN'T.
Fast Forward nearly 14 and 15 years... I'm confused!!  Teenagers are not for the weak of heart.  My mornings typically start the same... I hear the shower go on... Kid#2 is a rule follower and he heard probably once from me that he needed to shower when he woke up- SO HE DOES.  Then I hear footsteps, Kid #1 comes down the stairs and I say in my sweetest voice, "Good morning Princess, did you sleep like an angel."  
"MOM, not now."
"Ok, when," I say.
"M OOOOO M, seriously STOP, " she says louder.
Ok, so you get my point but this is just the tip of the ice berg.  They are like hanging all over me calling me "Momma" (which ended like 13 years ago) or they are like gremlins wreaking havoc through our house! 
My ten year old frequently states that he DOES NOT 'want to go through puberty.'  He conveniently also announces that he won't act like that (still trying to catch a video of that to play it back in the not so distant future).
Sometimes I feel like my head has been slapped from side to side- each direction getting a different personality...
The best part about all of this however is that anytime I share how I'm feeling with a wise confident... their response is always similar.  "Ahh, they're 13 and 14- I fear it may get worse before it gets better."  INSERT SCREECHING HAULT NOISE... WHAT????  UHM....truthfully the statement gives me comfort.  These people never look concerned.  They relate to me.  
The bottom line is that I never thought that my babies would turn into these thinking, opinionated, willful, affectionate, kind and loving individuals...but secretly I'm so glad they have!!  (and I'm hoping I get to play the video back to Kid #3 because that will mean he has too!)
THE VERY REASONS I NEED DATE NIGHTS!

NOMI- Chicago

You want to hit it out of the park?  You want to wow your significant other into thinking they are special... Yeah so NOMI Garden Chicago... DONE!!!

In the summer time the outdoor bar on the 7th floor is nothing short of romantic, fun, delicious and exciting.  Walk through the doors to white umbrellas, wood tables and gorgeous planters with cascading flowers!  You're in your own urban garden!

High above Michigan Avenue this semi hidden gem will wow you with fun cocktails, delicious wine and good eats!  One of my favorite choices on a hot day is the Bouchard Chardonay.  It's an elegant Chardonnay with subtle vanilla notes that will be sure to tantalize your palette as well as encourage feelings of romance!

One of our favorite snacks at NOMI Garden is the out of this world Truffel Popcorn..... Can you say heaven.  It is not always on the menu but just ask for it they will be happy to oblige!  Just do it- you will not be sorry!

You'll never go wrong with the Sushi Rolls.  Serious freshness and delicious flavor.  My personal favorite is the NoMI Roll- Spicy big eye tuna, eel and cucumber will be sure to wake up those taste buds!  One last thing to try is their Burata- holy creamy goodness that melts in your mouth.


When we are feeling like we need quiet, romantic conversations with a little bit of upscale atmosphere we make our way right  to NoMi Garden Chicago- 7th floor of the Park Hyatt.  Don't miss this! You'll be glad you came!  For more information check out their website http://www.parkchicago.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining.html

Date Night

One of the best things that Jon and I did when our kids were little was Date Nights...Being honest- it wasn't all about spending time with Jon- although that was the main reason- I also NEEDED to get out of that house!  I was blessed and inspired by many friends and family that, like us, love to travel and explore-even places close to home- they helped with suggestions.

I hear more times than not that couples don't know where to go, what to do, what to wear, and sometimes even what to talk about!!  I can't help you with the latter (try not to talk about the kids)- but I think we have some great suggestions for the others.

First there are a few rules that I tried to ALWAYS live by for Date Night....

#1.   Mix it up. There is so much comfort in each other but in a world where you are doing the monotonous things that you NEED to do when you have kids... Change it up girl!!  Suggest a different restaurant... If you always go to your favorite burger joint... go get Mexican.  All relationships need some spice:)!  If going out to dinner is too expensive.  Make some sandwiches, put your favorite drink in a plastic cup (not alcoholic of course- ha) and go have a picnic.  But whatever you do... Get out of the house... even if it's your back yard with a candle at night after your kids are in bed!

Order something new on the menu.  Ok I know, we are all creatures of habit, but step outside of your "I always order this" zone and keep him guessing.  Men like challenges.  They like to be surprised!

#2.  Dress UP!  I don't care if you have 3 shirts in your closet.  Save one for special nights with your man!  I'm not telling you to put 4inch heals on (although he may really like that)- but shower, freshen up, put a little make up on and get ready... After all this is a date.

#3.  Perfume, body spray, soap, Essential Oil (my personal favorite)- DO IT!  Men love things that smell lovely!!  SMELL LOVELY.

#4.  FLIRT.  Yep flirt with your hubby (or wife).  Smile, A LOT.  Bat your eyes.  Act like they're funny- just kidding-my guy is really funny... but you know what I mean... be engaged!

#5.  Touch them.  Get your head out of there.  Put your hand on their knee, on their back, on their hand... anywhere...men love to feel desired!

What made me the expert?  NOTHING!  I'm just giving you my own rules so that you can see where I'm coming from as I periodically tell you about great places to go, explore and see with your love!!

West Side Road

Many People feel intimidated by travel. Americans especially tend to trend towards pre-planned destinations that require little to no thought.  They require fine hotels that cater to their every need.  This kind of travel has a time and place for sure, however they miss out on opportunities to see the REAL world.   We like to get off the beaten path and make connections that are meaningful and find destinations that create a place in our heart.  Sonoma County, Ca offers such exquisite places that deserve to be uncovered... but not too uncovered..we like our little hide-away...

I've travelled many places in this world and Wine Country in California has some of the most beautiful land in all the world.  The smells are different out here.  It's clean, fresh and every breath is better than the next.  The terroir in Sonoma County is so perfect that in lends itself to beautiful wines that help to create a perfect vacation destination.

Our favorite place to start is West Side Road, just outside of Healdsburg, CA.  Their Pinot's and Chardonnay's are outstanding and the views are straight from Heaven!!  As you get onto Westside Road from the town of Healdsburg you find your senses heightened... I am in awe of the beauty surrounding me.  As the road gently winds through vineyard after vineyard and the colors, depending on the season, of gentle green to vibrant red hang on the vines, you appreciate Gods Country.  Each winery has something especially their's to offer.  Some are like beautiful hand crafted , or picked, masterpieces in a bottle and others are simple reproductions- the beauty that makes the wines so intricately unique also makes them part of your vacation memory:  It's their story.  The story is ultimately left in the bottle, but they all have a story to tell, and some of them will blow your mind and leave you craving more... WINE!

One of my favorite things to do has nothing to do with the actual drinking of the wine.  The image of the fog rising so delicately off the valley floor in the morning, with the steam from a hot cup of coffee in my hands, is the happy place I go to when I have to leave this amazing place.  Mornings here leave you breathless and actually seeing your breath in the fresh crisp air adds to the romantic mystic of a vineyard stay.

And then there is the wine.... Whether you try Thomas George Estates (my personal favorite), Rochioli Winery, Bacigalupi Winery or William Selyem... You are in for an extraordinary experience!  To taste the crisp Chardonnay tantalizing your pallet,  or watch the beautiful legs of that berry colored Pinot delicately painting your glass and warming your soul makes the hair on my neck stand in excitement!

This one road provides a special vacation within a vacation...It's like coming home.. Nothing says comfort like chatting over fine wine and great food with family and good friends.  This WINEding Road is HOME!  Cheers!

For more info check out http://www.thomasgeorgeestates.com