Our Weekend – Band-Aids, Bicycles, and a Much Needed Date Night

Well hello, August!  That was fast! 

We had a nice weekend and I hope you all did, too!  Ours started out a bit rocky as Olivia was in one of the foulest moods ever Friday evening, but the rest of the weekend was good so we’re calling it a win.

Friday evening we went to Five Guys for dinner and she was a total basket case the entire time – whining about everything, full-on crying during some portions, and wanting to be touching me/all over me/in my lap every single second.  I knew something wasn’t right, and lo and behold I discovered Saturday morning that her bottom left two-year-old molar is poking through.  FINALLY.  Girl has been teething for what seems like 2 or 3 months now and I think this may finally explain all of the irritability/random nose running/random throwing up these last couple of months. 

I can’t believe that we have to go through all of this three more times, though.  Kill me now.  Lol.

Anyway, after the Five Guys fiasco we went to Toys R Us because we had already promised Jacob that he could pick out something with his birthday money and we wanted to let him pick out a helmet for his new bike, so we braved it and went over there.  Aside from one quick meltdown in the middle of the aisle (screaming and throwing herself on the floor included) all went well. 

Jacob picked out… wait for it… another Hot Wheels track set (I mean, how many could one person possibly need??) and we let Olivia get a Frozen kickball… she wanted the Frozen helmet for ages 5-8, but since a) she doesn’t have a bike, and b) she’s only two, that purchase obviously didn’t make sense.  #TryExplainingThatToATwoYearOldThough

We have been talking to Jacob lately about money and explaining how it works, so this was the first time that he’s really gotten to see it in action.  He had received $15, so we told him that he had to pick out something under $15 and then we let him hand the cash to the cashier and receive the change when we checked out.  It was so funny seeing his tiny self peeking up over the counter to hand the lady the money… it reminded me of Kevin McCallister going to the store in Home Alone.  #IsThisToothbrushApprovedByTheAmericanDentalAssociation

Moving on…

Saturday was a productive day.  I got the entire upstairs dusted, swept, mopped, etc. while Olivia raided the Band-Aid box, and then we had a low-key lunch of sandwiches (avocado toast for moi) and fresh fruit, followed by a little bit of bike riding for Jacob.

This was only the beginning... there were more added to the collection by the end of the day.

It was his first time ever being on a big bike, and he was pretty intimidated at first.  He rode a ways down the street and announced that he was done, but then he decided he wanted to ride down the street one more time, and the second time he went further.  I was so proud of him!

Saturday evening, we dropped Jacob and a Band-Aid clad Olivia off at B’s mom’s house and he and I headed out for a night on the town.  Finally.

We had a reservation at our favorite restaurant, a local Italian Steakhouse, at 6:30 but we had a little bit of time to spare so we strolled down Broadway for a bit first.  I finally got to take a picture in front of the mural that I had been wanting to see up close for a long time now.  I love our city so much… so much talent and creativity here!

We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early, and we were about to settle in at the bar for a cocktail when the hostess came and whisked us to our table.  We then proceeded to have one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my entire life.  A center cut Angus filet with fried garlic in an herbed butter sauce, mashed potatoes, and grilled broccolini garnished with a lemon wedge.  Paired with a glass of Cab, of course.  You guys.  I’ve eaten at a lot of nice restaurants in NYC, DC, LA, Vegas, you name it.  But I really think that the very best meal that I’ve ever had in my whole life is right here in our little hometown.  How lucky are we to have this gem here?  This was our third time eating there, and I think that it only gets better and better each time we go.

After a leisurely dinner with uninterrupted conversation, B and I took a stroll down Broadway to take in the sights and sounds.  On any given Saturday evening this part of town is always lively and welcoming, and this particular night did not disappoint.  There were vendors selling goods, street corner musicians, people eating on the patios of all of the restaurants, and kids running around.  It was nice and cool because a storm had blown through while we were eating, and it was a welcome change compared to the nasty heat that we’ve been experiencing the last couple of months. 

We stopped into a craft beer store and built our own six-pack to take home, and then we dropped it off at the car before walking to the new gastropub that opened recently on the other end of Broadway.  

One of our old friends is part owner and we had been hearing nothing but amazing things about it.  It didn’t disappoint.  The building is probably over one hundred years old so it has unbelievably high ceilings and exposed brick, and it has been renovated to have a casual but upscale kind of vibe.  I can really only describe it the way that so many others have here locally… when you’re in there, you feel like you’re in a bar in NYC, not in a bar right here in our hometown.  

They specialize in craft beer, so B ordered a beer flight while I stuck with a cocktail.  I was way too full at that point to be thinking about beer so I ordered the Vodka Smash, which was Breckinridge Vodka, fresh blueberry, fresh strawberry, lavender basil, and St. Elder Liqueur.  You guys, it was soooo good.  I think I need to start making all of my cocktails with basil.  It adds such an unexpected, yet refreshing, twist. 

After our nightcaps, it was back to B’s momma’s to pick up the kids and then back home for bed.

Sunday was low-key.  Brian’s mom didn’t cook, so we went out for pizza for lunch and then to Staples to try and find a desk chair for Jacob’s room.  No luck!  When we stepped outside of Staples, the bottom fell out and there was no thunder and lightening, so we let the kids play in the rain for a few minutes.  After all of the rain playing, we went to Barnes and Noble to let them play for a bit, and then it was home for naps and quiet time. 

Sunday evening was spent at my parents’ house... Jacob and my Uncle Billy invented a new game called "Awesomeness" where my uncle just basically picks him up from the ground and throws him high in the air, and then we all indulged in an ice cream sundae bar.  Sunday at its finest!  

Saturday also marked the first anniversary of my grandfather's death, and I wrote a little something about it here.  I miss him so much every single day and I just couldn’t let the weekend post go by without mentioning it.

I hope you all have productive/relaxing/easy weeks! 

*Linking up with B Loved Boston for Weekending.