Yesterday, we received that call that Ava has been anxiously waiting for ever since Grandma Penny’s plane touched down on the tarmac last week: Ava and her cousin, Katelyn, were invited for a sleepover that very night.

Ava was elated and started packing all the essentials in a fist-sized clutch. She crammed in beaded necklaces, clip-on earrings, sparkle clips, and lip gloss. She even snagged a fist full of paper money and plastic credit card for good measure. She zipped up her purse and announced that she was all ready to go.

I was equally giddy about a night alone with HungryMan, so I augmented her packing skills by pulling down her overnight bag and adding a few more “essentials.”

I grabbed her new Parisian night gown, one sun dress for the morning, and two pairs of underwear (just in case). I tossed them in her backpack with green blankie, Bubba and of course, her toothbrush. As I zipped her pack, I couldn’t believe how light and empty it was. Gone are the days of diapers and wipes, sippy cups and sleep sacks, or even pull ups and bedtime books. This preschool packing was a breeze.

I threw her swimming essentials in her beach bag and we headed out the door. Actually, we started out the door and then Ava remembered that she needed the “purple ribbons that Mimi gave me” affixed to her braids. So once properly adorned, we headed out the door to meet Grandma Penny at the beauty shop no less.

After spending the afternoon chasing a beach ball around the splash pad,

the girls returned to grandma’s to change clothes and go to the park.

Ava opened her backpack, rifled through the contents and announced, “My mama didn’t pack anything good! I don’t have anything to wear!”

Apparently we have completely bypassed uncomplicated preschool packing.

How was I supposed to know that an evening filled swinging, sliding, and slurping down mac and cheese is an itinerary that calls for wardrobe options?

And while Ava was passing away her evening in her jammies, I got to go on a date with HungryMan.

As for my wardrobe options, I opened my closet and honestly thanked the Lord that it was still summer, because I love sun dresses.

After considering each one, I remembered that almost a year ago my husband and I spent an enchanting day in Rome. I pulled out my Roman Holiday dress and some strappy sandals, and readied myself for an equally enchanting evening with HungryMan. Steak and scallops, sidewalk cafe, sweet summer air, long stroll around our pond, interruption-free conversation, and no babysitter curfew–this is what summer dates are made of. We even slurped down a few savory mussels in memory of our Italian vacation. It was all scrumptious and lovely.

See Ava, date nights, not park dates are worthy of wardrobe conundrums.

P.S. If anyone sees HungryMan, feel free to let him know that there are a few more dresses that would like to go out this summer. Thanks.