I believe that the key to a happy home is the proper balance of individual, couple, and family time. It is hard to find that balance with two working parents, opposite sleep schedules, and a little one to watch. So I implemented bi-weekly family dinners, a weekly mini date night at home after Rachel goes to bed, a big monthly date, and a weekly family outing.
This weekend was our first official family outing. I don't care if the outing is as common as a trip to the grocery store or as exciting as a trip to the zoo as long as we are all together.
The mission: to pay the mortgage and make a little surprise for the grandparents.
We had our supplies in hand. Snacks: check.
Envelope: check.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. We had to endure traffic signals…
…famine…
…and drought.
Our driver remained calm, however, and got us to our destinations safely.
Mission one went off without a hitch. Onwards!
Rachel performed a little reconnaissance for us when we reached her grandparents’ house.
Luckily, the blinds were closed… 
…and the door mysteriously barricaded.
It seems I had planned my mission well.
We stealthily performed a little flour-based lawn graffiti. They’ll never know what hit them!
Run away! Run away!
Whew! A clean getaway!
What a harrowing adventure! Shoes were muddied.
Rocks were stolen.
And even a parting tear was shed.
But don’t worry. It was quickly followed by triumphant screams and a victory lap around the neighborhood.
