date night : preggo version

Hawk took a vacation week so last night, we hired our favorite babysitter (so favorite she's our only one), snatched some of the Christmas gifts Hawk received from his team members, and got a night out on the town.

We used the first of our City Tins. 

For those of you outside of the Milwaukee/Madison area, let me tell you about this brilliant concept. Printed onto what look like standard bar-fare coasters are $10 gift certificates good toward any $25 bill at the specified restaurant. The restaurants themselves are all on the trendy, young side in that their patrons are generally outgoing, educated 20- to 40-somethings. None of these are chains; all are local and unique! And the first coaster is this great spinner so if you can't decide where you want to eat, you can make the decision into a game.

We chose the place closest to us because Ace had a slightly rough day and we wanted to make the most of the time we had. We hit up Cafe Hollander and enjoyed the best service--after all, it was a Monday night.

Then, we used our iPic gift and went -- wait for it -- bowling. 

For those of you who knock the sport, may I remind you that it is the only physical activity at which most people are mediocre, so everybody can enjoy themselves instead of trying to be competitive. 

In our first year dating we used to hit up a local alley for their after 9pm, $1 bowling nights. We'd meet up with a collection of friends, grab a few pitchers, order a small pizza or two from the bar, and laugh our way through a fiver's worth of games. 

We bowled 4 games. I won 2 which is unheard of in our relationship---Hawk is good at everything but swimming and rollerskating. 

So if you're looking for a gift for a couple expecting a child, I highly recommend City Tins, a certificate to something physical or optional (since at iPic we could have seen a movie instead), and some cash for babysitting. 

What is your favorite relaxed date activity?

Happy Tuesday, friends!

icj,

~j

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