Oh Caroline

I love iTunes. Seriously. I'm listening to Concrete Blonde's "Caroline". So haunting and sad. It makes me want to start up our tape recreation project from a few years back (Mike and I set out to get old tracks from favorite mix tapes by him, by Lauren, by others...and get them on cd. We didn't get as far as I would have liked, but it's still all there). What's going on at our house these days?

The snow continues, and I am sick of it. I'm sick of watching the weather, sick of getting wet up to my knees every time I go outside, sick of being stuck in the house. Today Ev and I ventured out to our first play group in two months, so that was nice. I almost hit a few parked cars on the way there, but lucky steering saved us and we were there and back in one piece. Evan had fun with the kids, but it's going to be an adjustment to get him back into being with other kids. He's all but forgotten what it's like to share toys. It made for an interesting morning at least.

In other news, readers of Mike's site may have read last week that he wanted more time to himself--to record music, to work on web stuff, whatever. Of course, I want these same things, but we've been in a rut and haven't really had time for our own hobbies and things over the past few months. It seems that being a parent sometimes means that you neglect yourself, intentionally or not, in favor of doing things for your child. Who knew?

So Mike and I devised a little system in which we each get two evenings a week to ourselves. If it's your night, you can spend it how you like--tv, reading, hobbies, going out--without being interrupted by spouse or child. The other partner is responsible for playing with Ev, bathing him, and putting him to bed. I think this is going to be great for us--nice for us to have some time to ourselves, and good for Evan to have private time with each parent. If we stick to it, it could benefit all three of us.

Last night was Mike's first night to himself, and he played and recorded music upstairs while Evan and I played games and baked banana muffins. Tonight is my first night to myself, and I'm excited about it. I wonder what I'll decide to do?