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winter sunrise view in del ray alexandria
January 20, 2023

An Awesome Date Night + Other Things I’m Enjoying

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Matt and I had a super fun date night earlier this week: a wine + painting night!

Matt surprised me for my Christmas gift with some planned out dates for us in January and February (my love language is definitely time together – and someone else planning said time together is a huge bonus as I’m usually the planner), and this was our first one!

Matt gets an A+ – this was SUCH a fun evening. 

We went to Muse Paintbar in Arlington (it’s inside the Ballston Mall). We arrived a little early for snacks and drinks (next time I think we’d eat elsewhere first, as the food was only so-so), and then got into the painting! 

I’d never done a wine and painting night before and had always wanted to try one. I enjoy painting but can’t even tell you the last time I did it – it had been a VERY long time! It was such a nice way to destress and unwind. 

The way it works is Muse selects a painting for the evening, then an instructor leads everyone attending through the process step by step. 

Matt was super into it, too, as you can see. 🙂

painting at muse in ballston

The painting for the evening was a really pretty winter snow scene. Two hours later, and we each had our own version of it! 

I was pleased with how mine came out! We were excited to show them to Riese as she loves painting at school. 😉 

painting at muse in ballston

Now I want to do another painting night… maybe in a few months! Are any of you painters? Maybe I should get some materials for home, just for fun! 

I especially enjoyed the time to decompress on that date night as it has been a hectic few weeks since the holidays for us with a lot of big transitions and change.

The biggest one is that Wes started school this week – eek! I’m having a lot of conflicting emotions about it – excited and nervous and relieved and also sad.

It has been a lot emotionally, and a lot logistically (so much new stuff to buy, and more to pack and prep every morning when getting out the door), but I know once he settles in he’ll really love being around other kids as he’s definitely an extrovert like the rest of us.

Transitions are hard, though. My mama heart is having a hard time with it all, especially when he cries at drop off. Oof.

Thankfully, yoga and running have been helping me decompress. I’m still enjoying 6am hot power yoga classes two or three times a week, and when I leave the studio I’m usually treated to a gorgeous sunrise. 

winter sunrise view in del ray alexandria

I’m still in a solid twice a week running routine, too. I’m really loving running right after school drop off with a couple moms from school – it feels like a big gift to run in the daylight vs. super early in the dark.

Plus, running with company is my preference vs. running alone! 

Another thing helping me decompress lately? Lots of good books! (book links are Amazon affiliate links, FYI)

I just finished reading Black Cake, which I really enjoyed, and I’m in the middle of reading Every Summer After right now which I am absolutely LOVING. It’s so sweet and well written.

Highly recommend if you like coming of age romance books! It’s one of those books where I can’t put it down and stay up too late reading and then think about it when I’m not reading, too.

I’m also partway through Michelle Obama’s new book (The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times) and am really enjoying it as well. I absolutely loved her first book, Becoming, so knew I wanted to read this one, too. 

And that’s all I have for you today! I hope you have a lovely weekend and I’ll see you back here next week. 

Fellow parents – any tips for smoothing out big transitions, either for Wes or for me? 🙂 

- anne
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10 comments
  • Ana January 20, 2023 · 12:40PM:
    Bravo Matt! What a fun date and the art is definitely wall-worthy. 👏👏 Not much advice for you on Wes’s transition to school other than persevering and showing him a positive face at drop-off and pick-up. He will get there but it’s hard to see them cry. 😢
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 20, 2023 · 1:30PM:
      Thank you!
      Reply
  • Tracie January 20, 2023 · 1:16PM:
    It’s tough in the moment, but remind yourself it won’t always be this hard. I think my daughter is just a little older than Wes, and while I still often think of her as my baby, I have to remember she knows and understands way more than I give her credit for. Talking about the process of drop offs might help, what will happen at school and how you’ll always come back.
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 20, 2023 · 1:30PM:
      Thank you <3
      Reply
  • Roadrunner January 20, 2023 · 1:44PM:
    What a wonderful, thoughtful gift from Matt -- and what a neat outing. Beyond that, your paintings are actually pretty impressive! Well done to both of you!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 20, 2023 · 3:02PM:
      We were excited by how they came out!
      Reply
  • Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
    January 20, 2023 · 4:16PM:
    What a fun date night! Nice work, Matt!! I am really hoping to get back to date nights in 2023 after a GRAND PAUSE. For us, finding a babysitter is the challenge. We have one we worked with prior to the pandemic but now it's been 3 years since we've hired a babysitter. So I fear it would be a rough goodbye but I know they'd adjust. Similarly, Wes will adjust. Just tell yourself it's an adjustment period and it won't always be like this. Our kids have been in daycare since they were around 4.5 months but we have gone through something similar anytime they have a long break in care or when they transition rooms. We try to make the goodbyes as quick as possible and get out of these as that is what the teachers prefer. They have handled this countless times and will calm a child down very quickly. I've witnessed this when we have separate drop offs. The first one might be screaming/crying at drop off, by the time I'm done dropping the other one off, the was I dropped off first is happily playing. I promise it will get better!! But it's really hard when it's happening! Hugs!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 23, 2023 · 9:33AM:
      Oof. Thank you, I appreciate it!! <3
      Reply
  • terri January 20, 2023 · 4:47PM:
    Stay strong! When we moved, it took my youngest (who was about 2 at the time) three weeks before she stopped crying/clinging at drop off. It was so hard but you just have to remember that it will eventually get better for everyone (and likely, there will be some other change or hurdle around the corner).
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 23, 2023 · 9:33AM:
      Oof yes. Thank you, I appreciate the pep talk!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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