Do you realize that summer is really only 10 weeks long? My friend, Jennifer told me that a few weeks ago and it was depressing to realize that it’s so short. But then i thought, ‘well, a lot of fun things can be done in 10 weeks, why not take advantage of them!’
Before i get to the list of 5 great summer dates, I want to emphasize that equally important is to maximize the summer months with your kids! Last night, I took mine swimming. I let them eat a very non-nutritious dinner at the snack bar, and we stayed at the pool until 8:30. Now, being the usual sleep nazi, that was very out of character for me. Yet I found myself enjoying the night so much. With temps in 90′s at 8pm, bathlike pool water, I (the mom who rarely goes in the water) swam the whole time and even went off the platform and down the water slides several times.
So, my point is, enjoy every minute of summer with the kiddies. And don’t forget to make your kids read for at least 15 min. per day!!
Now, onto the romance part of this blog.
ROMANTIC DATE #1: CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
Spend an afternoon/early evening walking the grounds of the Botanic Garden together. It is as beautiful as ever, very quiet and peaceful, and will surely put you in a great mood. Bring a camera and take pics of each other, hold hands while looking at the gorgeous scenery, and stop and sit somewhere and just talk.
ROMANTIC DATE#2 CUBS GAME
Put on some sunscreen and your favorite Cubs garb and head down to Wrigley. Just the two of you. No friends, no meeting up with anyone else. Just enjoy the day together. Sit in the bleachers (of course), drink lots of beer, and make out during the 7th inning stretch. After the game, go to one of the bars in the neighborhood (my pic is always Murphy’s) and continue partying. Please take public transportation,though. And make sure you DO NOT leave Wrigleyville without dancing to some Reggae.
ROMANTIC DATE #3 AN OVERNIGHT AT A GREAT SPA
Okay, I’m going to recommend going to Sundara, one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed. Here’s the catch. It’s in the Dells! I know what you’re thinking. Yuck! Who wants to go to the Dells? (especially when your kids won’t even be with you) The thing is, Sundara is tucked away in a forest and you’d never know you are in the waterpark capital of the world! It’s quiet, serene, has great spa services, an awesome pool, huge hot tub, and the rooms are really nice. It’s a perfect place if you want a quick vacation, just the two of you, and don’t want to fly anywhere.
ROMANTIC DATE #4 DINNER IN THE CITY
Where’s the restaurant you’ve always wanted to go, but never did? Mine is Charlie Trotter’s, but that’s a whole other blog. Make a reservation, buy a new outfit, primp like you’re going to the prom again, and have a first-class date. PLAN it. Don’t just drive downtown and say, “hmm…where should we eat?” Afterward, go to the bar at the W on Lakeshore Drive or the bar at the Peninsula and have a fun nightcap.
ROMANTIC DATE #5 GLENCOE BEACH
Hello! Is there anything more romantic than the beach?! Take some towels, some food, drinks, sunscreen (of course) and head over to the lakefront somewhere. I love Glencoe Beach, but North Avenue beach is good too. They all are! Make sure you swim in the lake at least once. It’s good luck!
ROMANTIC DATE #6 TENNIS FOLLOWED BY A LATE NIGHT SWIM
I had to end with this one, since I started this blog with my kids and I swimming. On a warm, muggy evening, play some tennis together. Play a set and make a really interesting bet, where the winner gets something really great. (like a one hour foot massage) Following the game, go to a pool together and swim until the sun sets. Enjoy just sitting on lawnchairs, drinking water and relaxing. You will be having romance and burning calories at the same time!
If you have any great romantic summer date stories, please feel free to email them to me and I’ll post them!
