When you have two under two and one on the way, it can be difficult to make “us time”. Throw in a crazy schedule (read – trying to get the boys ON a schedule), and lack of date night funds, you do what you gotta do to find ways to reconnect! That means telling your husband to pick up some wine on the way home, busting out The Oregon Trail Card Game 
*I’ll get to my super easy, and healthier, method of making popcorn in a minute.*
Wednesday’s are long in the Bohnslav household. EM has RCIA (classes he takes to prepare for his confirmation) and that means I do bed time alone! Then, to make this Wednesday extra special, I decided to switch web servers. It went from something to simplify and improve my blog, to something that made this pregnant mama meltdown. Many many tears were shed. It was NOT a pretty sight. In the end I ended up switching my domain name to https://theshellandolive.com – so make sure you follow this hotmess express – to the right to the right, every subscription in a box to the right – or you won’t get to keep up with the fun!
Needless to say – date nights like this are VERY much needed! After calling EM sobbing today and mumbling things only dogs could hear, I needed time to just hang out with my best friend. Time when the boys were asleep. Thankfully and probably by some Divine Intervention, the boys were BOTH in their beds by 8! Theo was asleep by 7 – which was the second time that has EVER happened, and Bastian was in his bed and quiet by 7:30. I’m thinking God shed some mercy on this poor mama after the poopshoot day she had!
Date nights don’t have to be extravagant, they just have to be with the person you love spending time with! We love busting out board games and card games and letting our competitive edge shine in all its glory! Thankfully The Oregon Trail Card Game
The point of the game is to make it to the finish line (Oregon) alive. Well that alive bit is a tricky thing. Ive learned that if the Wild West and the real Oregon Trail was anything like the card game, my chances of survival would be slim to none. Well without reincarnation. And that’s EXACTLY how we played! It took me 4 different characters to help EM make it across alive. Though I’m pretty sure that isn’t how you’re supposed to play.
There are three sets of cards. The trail cards. 
The supply cards.
And the calamity cards.
Guess which ones I kept drawing…
At one point I died of Measles! Measles! And they say vaccines don’t work! *sarcasm!*
In the end though we made it to Oregon, right as EM’s character was about to bite the dust. It wasn’t a complicated game or the most stimulating of conversations, but it lead to many laughs and those were needed. When you’re busy worrying about kids and all the stressful things in life, some belly laughs over a silly card game can be just what the doctor ordered!
Now for my popcorn! Get stoked! It’s a recipe – or rather method – that my mom taught me. My boys call it Nonna’s popcorn.
What you will need: A brown paper bag, popcorn kernels, oil (olive, coconut, veggie, you can have whatever you like) and salt.
In a bowl mix your kernels (I use 1/4 cup) with just enough oil to coat them – you don’t want them dripping in it. Salt the kernels – I used pink Himalayan salt, because we fancy – and then pour the kernels into the bag. Close the bag by folding over a few times, leaving room for the kernels to pop. Place the bag into your microwave and pop for 2:30. I keep an eye on it like all popcorn, so if I hear it stop popping but there is still time left, I end the time early. Preventing any from burning.
Pour into a bowl and enjoy!
It is so easy and so so good! My boys LOVE it and it’s a guilt free way for them to enjoy the snack they love! Not to mention – clean up is a breeze!
Sometimes those in-home date nights are the best ones!!! xoxo
So true! I mean – pjs, no bra, AND quality time! Yes please!