"Kids spell love t-i-m-e." {John Crudele}

It is so easy to get carried away with day to day life: carpool, work, dinner, homework and sports. Even though you are with your kids during most of the time, do you really spend time with them? I mean quality time and not just, "Emma, please pas the green beans" and "Wyatt honey, the blackberries go in your mouth and not your ears."

We always talk about how we would like to spend more quality time with our kids, so this year for Christmas, my husband and I though we could do "Date Cards". I created twelve cards {6 activities with Mom and 6 activities with Dad}.

We brainstormed date ideas and came up with a variety of fun activities. Some are outings, while some are projects at home. We tried to keep them inexpensive....

The dates with mom are:

• Shop for and cook a recipe of your choice.
• Choose a craft or sewing project for us to do together.
• Go to the bookstore for a new book and a treat.
• Paint a picture together at Painting with a Twist.
• Go see a production at Casa Manana.
• Kid's Choice!

The dates with Dad are:

• Shop for and grill a recipe of your choice.
• Go to the barn and fish, ride 4-wheelers and hit golf balls.
• Go out to dinner at a restaurant of your choice.
• Have a movie night---at home or at the theater.
• Enjoy a guitar lesson.
• Kid's choice!

We put the cards in an envelope and hid them in the Christmas tree for Christmas morning. We were both pleasantly surprised that even though Emma was surrounded with gifts, trips and gift cards, she gravitated towards the "Date Cards" and took the time to read each card very carefully. We left it up to her to decide which date she would like for each month. It was funny to hear her reasoning, "I want to wait to grill outside until it gets warmer. That is definitely a springtime activity."

I am going to make a small book of the date cards along with some pictures of each of the activities. What a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving!

Taylor