Playdough isn't Just for Kids

Sometimes it’s fun to feel like a carefree kid; wind in your hair, dirt on your clothes and a smile on your face. But how many of us have a time machine? A good way to feel like a kid again is by playing with playdough. Many childhood memories were created with our hands, either in paint, dirt or toys. Revisit those memories with this homemade playdough recipe. It’s easy and inexpensive.

1 part Hair Conditioner or Shaving Cream

2 parts Cornstarch

Food Coloring if desired

Cookie cutters for fun shapes

Just mix all of these ingredients together in a bowl, and then knead them with your hands. It’s that simple. For softer dough, add more hair conditioner or cream. For chalkier dough, add more cornstarch. Warning, it can be messy and wearing black isn’t recommended, but it sure is fun to feel like a kid again.  

Revitalize that Relationship!

Ask your spouse these three questions about their childhood, and answer them yourself:

·       What was your favorite childhood toy?

·       What is a fun memory you have with your family as a child?

·       How can we create fun memories for our children?

Make sure not to worry about the mess or washing your hands. Just enjoy the date with your spouse and learn more about them.

Homemade Body Paint – Parent Date Night

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Sometimes, as a parent, we hear about great safe activities for our children. One idea is a homemade nontoxic paint, but we want to make sure it works. What a great idea for a date with your spouse! The recipe is simple:

2 tsp. Cornstarch

1 tsp. lotion

1 tsp. water

Food Coloring

* This recipe is good for 1 body paint color.

This paint is safe to go on skin and washes off! With this in mind, you can make a game out of your new creation of body paint. Before getting your hands dirty, make a list of objects you should paint on each other, letters, shapes, scenery or your favorite cartoon characters. Toss all of these ideas into a bowl, and take turns picking out an object to paint on the other person. You can wear an old or cheap white shirt, although there is no guarantee the paint will wash out. Have fun together being creative and laughing.

Revitalize that Relationship!

If you are a parent, discuss with your spouse about each of your children, sharing fun memories of them and how you can help them in their future activities. If you do not yet have children, discuss how you want to help your children to become their best selves. 

Can you Escape?

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A fun date is the Puzzle Break- Escape Room! “What is that?” you may be asking yourself, well let me explain. Escape Rooms are starting to pop up all over the country. Each is different but they all have the same premise. You have a team of 10-12 people. You can bring a big group of friends or family, or be paired up with other couples. You have one hour to be in a room together, filled with puzzles and clues, to solve the mystery. You get more information when you sign up and actually talk with the people who work there. It is a fun and unique date while being a little out of your comfort zone. It is 100% safe                                                             and reviewers are raving about them.

To book a time or learn more, check out their website: Puzzle Break- Room Escape

Would Your Rather...

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When we think of dates, we usually think about big ideas that tend to cost money. Dates like those are nice, and help to build great memories with your spouse. But what about those weeks where you are seemingly too busy for a date? Play a little game called "Would You Rather." Take a half hour, sit down together and try and answer the following questions. These questions are for fun, a great way to laugh and spending time with each other in a hopefully novel way.

WOULD YOU RATHER…

-Be half your height, or double your weight?

-Fight a horse sized duck, or 100 duck sized horses?

-Live in the world of Harry Potter or Narnia?

-Have a zombie apocalypse or WWIII?

-Be super-fast or super strong?

-Have no internet, or no phone?

-Change the past, or see into the future?

-Be invisible, or fly?

-Lose sense of touch or taste?

-Be able to talk to all animals or be able to speak all languages?

Revitalize that Relationship!

Life can be hectic and your relationship may be the last thing on your To Do List. However, marriage can be an uphill battle. Research shows that once kids enter the picture, marital satisfaction goes down and continues that pattern until the children leave (at which time marital satisfaction goes back up). You can’t afford to slip away from each other. Even taking an hour a week to just be together can strengthen your marriage, and help fight the odds.

Hungry for Love?

Experience an evening of fine Seattle dining with your sweetie! Savor Seattle offers several different kinds of tours, including the Chocolate Indulgence Tour and the Gourmet Seattle Tour.

Location: “Near 1^st Ave. & Pine St.”

Cost: Varies, depending on the type of food tour (at least $40)

http://www.savorseattletours.com/

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reconnection Emphasis/Ideas: Having the opportunity to dress up, get out together for a nice evening, and feel fancy! 

~TRY:

If you have children, resist talking about them during this date. Also, avoid talking about work. Try hard to focus on each other and your relationship, just as you did when you were dating.

***Relationship skill:

Making regular date nights a priority is crucial for every married couple. According to the National Marriage Project, date nights can help strengthen: communication, novelty (livens things up, makes you less likely to take each other for granted), Eros (passion), commitment, and ability to handle stress (Wilcox & Dew).

Regular date nights don’t have to be every week- they can be once a month, once every other week, or whatever works for you and your spouse. Just make it a regular part of your romance/relationship routine, and make your dates deliberate- plan the date and make each one special, even if it doesn’t cost a lot.

--- Source: http://nationalmarriageproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/NMP-DateNight.pdf