The Perfect Weekend: A Recipe

I believe we had what was probably the most perfect family weekend in our history this last weekend. I want to record it, so that we don't forget, and can maybe even possibly duplicate it in the future. It was bliss, for all of us, and a much needed break from the spin-cycle-like schedule of the last few months.

1. Take one tired Daddy who has worked nearly every weekend for the last 4 months (the couple he didn't, we traveled to see family), and add two girls (one big, one small) who miss him very much.

2. Grant said Daddy the ENTIRE weekend off. Scoop Mommy's jaw up off the floor due to extreme surprise.

3. Take the wild child to the park on a Friday evening. Feed her mac and cheese for dinner, then promptly put her to bed.

4. Send tired, yet giddy, parents to the basement for a sushi picnic and a movie.

5. Listen to wild child laugh with glee when she discovers her daddy is in fact in the house, and not at work, when she wakes. Encourage wild child to wake daddy up.

6. Head to Panera for coffee and bagels with cream cheese. Watch in amazement as wild child devours an entire. adult-sized. bagel.

7. Mosey down to the Farmer's Market to buy some "beg-bulls" (vegetables), then decide to take a stroll to the "doose park" (Goose Park, aka Silver Lake Park). Pretend wild child does NOT throw an enormous fit when leaving the park.

8. Nap, regardless of your age.

9. Take wild child to pick apples at a local orchard. Ignore the huge tantrum thrown when she discovers you drove to the wrong spot (twice) and have to get back in the car without the beloved apples.

10. Profusely thank apple orchard lady for not making you pick a $40 1/2 bushel of apples and encouraging you to take a walk through the orchard so that the wild child can pick an apple or two "just for the experience".

11. Snap your favorite picture of the wild child ever to date during this process.


12. Pick up the wild child's favorite dinner("cheese burber, freh fries") on the way home and watch her devour the junk like it's a gourmet delight.

13. Put wild child to bed after a quick bath, and grill 2 large steaks with necessary accompaniments.

14. Go out on the deck with a bottle of red wine, jackets, and light a fire in the fire pit.

15. Eat the delicious meal in peace with your spouse while having a lovely, uninterrupted conversation on a beautiful evening. Do not leave any wine in the bottle.

16. Enjoy going to church on Sunday with your spouse for the first time in months.

17. Decide to go out for lunch after church. Let the wild child sit in a booth next to Daddy, sans booster seat. Marvel at how big she looks as she does so.



18. Nap (again!), regardless of your age.

19. Migrate to the grocery store with the whole family in tow. Appreciate Daddy's help in pushing the cart and entertaining the wild child.

20. Make dinner in peace while Daddy and the wild child are at the park.

21. Bathe the wild child, put her to bed, and then watch the season finale of a crazy good TV show. Remember to eat dessert as you do so.

22. Feel thankful for the time that you shared together.

23. Pray that it happens again....soon!