A night out!

We finally left the kids with a babysitter for the first time since we moved to Hawaii. The reason was because it was our anniversary. I'm not so good about leaving my kids, I know I need to do it but I worry--especially since I have very young children and a set of twins in the mix. But the need for Tory and I to get away and have a break was growing so I finally bit the bullet and found someone at church that I was comfortable could take care of my 3 little ones and wouldn't buckle under their needs. She has 3 children as well and we are going to trade babysitting once a month. I knew Oliver was going to have a really hard time because he is so attached to me. He had an hour with the babysitter before he had to go to bed. I left some juice for him in hopes it would ease the pain of separation. Apparently he cried pretty hard after we left so Tonia gave him the juice and he took it and hid behind the island in our kitchen. She said she tried to approach and play peek-a-boo but every time he caught sight of her, he just started crying again, poor kid. He pretty much cried off and on for the hour (which I was expecting) and Tonia said when she took him up to bed and laid him down, he immediately stopped crying and snuggled down. I think he finally felt safe. When I went in this morning to get him up for the day, he nestled his little head into my shoulder and snuggled with me for a long time, much longer than usual. I think he really missed me. Other than that he seemed fine until Tory got home. He would have nothing to do with his dad and he was so clingy. I think he was really worried I was going to leave again. He finally played with his dad a little bit after I sat and held him for a while next to Tory. The twins did ok with Tonia. I had talked it up during the day and explained what was going to happen. They were fine giving us hugs and kisses when we left. After a while of hearing Oliver cry, Penelope started to cry a little but as soon as Tonia put Oliver down, she was able to focus on her and read the twins some books and Penelope was fine. The few times I left the twins when they were younger, it was Parker that had a hard time, Penelope was fine. But, all in all I think it was ok. Tonia is still willing to trade babysitting so it wasn't too awful for her and the kids were fine. Parker and Penelope talked all about Miss Tonia and how she read to them so they want her back! And Tory and I had a great night out, we went shoe shopping (oh the joy of being able to try on running shoes without kids underfoot) and then to dinner at a nice French restaurant. I don't think we had been out together since July when my parents visited us in San Diego and watched the kids for us. As part of my anniversary gift to Tory I gave him a book of coupons for a date (with me) once a month this year. I'm excited to have a night out once a month. We are going to take turns planning them so we'll have to see what Tory comes up with for February.

Here are some fun pics of the kids I took today that have nothing to do with this post: