Date Night Log 2018: Mini Golf - Dating Divas Style

For Shon's birthday this year I decided to do something a little different for one of his gifts. Whenever I ask him for gift ideas or what he wants, he says "time with you." Sweet, right? Sure, but also annoying when you're trying to buy someone a gift. ;) So this year I got him exactly that - time with me! I bought him a "Year of Dates" from the Dating Divas. They have a sports-themed package that I thought seemed perfect for us, so I bought the printables and a binder and gifted him 12 dates - one per month - with me!

We started with April instead of January, and headed out for dinner and mini-golfing! After a rather glutenous dinner at Texas Roadhouse where I ate *all* the bread, we headed over to Perfect Games, which just opened its new miniature golf course for the season!  We had Evelyn with us this time because we try not to use too many baby-sitter coupons in a row with grandma, but she enjoyed the fresh air and watching all the people.

April's date included an invitation for him to our date explaining what it included, a scorecard so that depending on who won the hole, one of us won a "prize" (think things like 15 minute back rub or getting to pick the movie). The pack also has a journal at the end where you reflect on a specific prompt for your relationship, as well as a scrapbook where you can paste pictures, write down favorite moments, and include scorecards (Shon won by 2 this time). There are also date alternatives, like Frisbee Golf, and some other cute printables, but I didn't get around to using them all this time.

If you haven't visited the Dating Divas yet, they don't just have great marriage and relationship ideas, there are family packs, too! The kids don't know that I have monthly activities planned for "family dates," too! I'm hoping once school is out I can start theirs and we can get into a routine before the craziness of school starts back up again in the fall!

Date Night Log 2018: The Buffalo Tavern

You all voted and we listened! We took our pre-movie date meal to The Buffalo Tavern in Burlington (they also now have an expansion in Fort Madison). The Buffalo is located south of downtown and is a great space for playing pool or darts, enjoying a family meal, or watching the hot sporting event of the season. There's an outside patio, TouchTunes (where I tend to spend more of Shon's tokens than he'd like on country music and boy bands), and a serving staff that knows what they're doing.

While we are not strangers to the Buff, especially Shon, we always seem to find something new to try! This isn't just the place I once beat Shon at darts (like how I was able to drop that in there?), this is home of the Buffaloin (tenderloin with buffalo sauce). Yes, it's as good as it sounds, but this time, this time I really went for it. If you've been following the blog/my IG you know that I'm in the middle of Beachbody's 80 Day Obsession. Typically this means I'm eating clean and focused on health and nutrition, but since we don't get back to Burlington often, I made an exception so that you all could benefit from the experience ;) - okay, or maybe I just wanted to eat some junk food.

But here it is.

My dinner. 

My fellow Iowans (and the rest of you), seekers of the next best Iowa tenderloin, I present to you: The Buffalo's Tenderloin Horseshoe (with a twist - I asked for mine to be done buffalo style and the added kick is well worth any heartburn you may experience later).

Served on an open face bun, this tenderloin is covered in peppers and onions, jalapenos, Monterey jack cheese sauce, fries, ranch, and for me, buffalo sauce. I'll be honest. I gave it a valiant effort. I really tried, but I was only able to finish about half of it. Of course, we also happened to have ordered the Mac and Jack Brew Bites (macaroni and cheese, bacon, and pepper jack cheese breaded and deep fried), so I'm sure that didn't help my situation, but it was worth every delicious calorie.

 Next time you're in southeast Iowa, or if you're just up for a tenderloin road trip (yes, I know people who do things like that), I can't recommend this stop enough!