As our days in Phoenix dwindled, we realized just how well this trip had gone. This trip exemplified our new life. Dedicated to traveling as a family, encouraging our children to develop a love of travel, we explored the area, but also found time to reconnect as a couple.
If there’s anything we’ve learned about having twins.. it’s that we need to work equally hard on maintaining our marriage. There’s a statistic that couples with multiples are more likely to divorce. I can understand that. When a couple has their first baby, it’s tough. There is a new normal to navigate, not only between as mother and father, but also as a set of parents. Together. Ultimately, however, it’s still two on one. Even if they add a second child, later on, the older child is a little more settled into a routine, or is at least able to communicate in some form, even if they aren’t capable of fending for themselves on some level (eating without assistance, for example.) While this adjustment can be more difficult, because now it’s man-to-man defense, the age of the older sibling is an advantage.
With twins, you’re dealing with man-to-man from day 1. Both parents are on duty at all times. There’s no real way to tag team, or take a breather. Both are needed in the beginning. If you’re not careful, the first thing to go is the relationship between each other. This can happen with a singleton, as well, but like much else with twins… double trouble.
We still have a tendency to go to bed without any real conversation. It just happens when you’re tired and worn out from a hard day at home or work- but we try to make it happen when we can. We do Friday night dates at home. Every Friday, the kids eat their dinner, and then we order take out or delivery after they go to bed, for our dinner. We rent a movie, or watch our shows, or play a game. It’s our time.
Date nights out are a real treat, so we were thrilled when Auntie A offered to watch the kids for us.
We had asked around, and picked out a perfect date night spot. Barrio Queen, in Old Town Scottsdale.
It was, simply put, the best meal we’ve had in a long time. Excellent option. There is nothing we can say that we would have changed. We topped off the night with a walk around Old Town (I think I even found the salon where I first learned my hair was curly- back in college!), before heading back to the hotel, refreshed.
In addition to our date night, we fit one more family adventure in, with a trip to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. TT Dad offered to write the review of this museum, in three words. Standard Children’s Museum. I can’t exactly disagree, but I’m a little more wordy in my review.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best way to end the trip, so we had to check out a couple of restaurants before heading home. We had lunch at Portillo’s, a chain that started in the Chicago area, serving hot dogs, and has grown to have locations in multiple states, offering options from dogs, to lasagna, to chicken sandwiches, and more.
I don’t have an official review of Portillo’s. I realized there just isn’t really anything I would write that you can’t find on Yelp, or Trip Advisor. It was enough. Nothing amazing, and nothing awful. Or maybe we were just spoiled by Barrio Queen!
Our final meal in Phoenix, however, left a great taste in our mouth. Before heading to the airport, we stopped at Scramble for breakfast. We love the idea, the philosophy, and the execution. We need one at home.
And with that, our trip had come to an end.
Almost.
First we had to get through two more flights.
Two suitcases, and two HEAVY car seats!
But, we did. We survived. Our first trip involving air travel, and we not only have lived to tell about it, but hopefully, we have provided you with a tip or two, in addition to some laughs, mostly likely at our expense.