Four-by-Fore(Play) Friday

It's a long weekend ladies... plenty of time to pull off at least one of these ideas. Take advantage of the extra day that your hubby is home. I know it's really hard not to put him to work on something that needs to be done around the house, but resist the urge. Enjoy the extra day! The focus this Friday is reminding him that you can be s-e-x-y! Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but between bills that need to be paid, dinner that needs to be made, kids that need to be bathed... it's hard to keep that sparkle alive that you thought about all the time when you were dating. Remember when you used to think about what you'd wear for a date? Remember when surprises were something you used to try to incorporate as much as possible? Remember the tingles up your spine the first time you held hands or kissed? Try to go back to that time and relive it! Here are four ideas to help get you there:

• Before he comes home from work, change your clothes. Sounds simple enough, but change into something that you know he likes - anything except the t-shirt and shorts that you wear all day long. During the day it's fine for a baby to cry and wipe their nose on your shoulder, but for heavens sake, put on something else before he comes home! Spiff it up a little.


• Feed the kids first and save dinner for the two of you for after they are in bed. Spread a blanket on the living room floor and eat dinner like a picnic. Even if you just order pizza, light some candles, break out the wine and have a real conversation (read: no TV)


• Whisper in his ear. Anything is sexier when it's said as a whisper. I would encourage you not to ask him to take out the garbage as a whisper though. Give him 'some ideas' for after the kids go to bed - or even just let him know that you think he's hot. This is an easy one, and takes virtually no time at all but will make a big difference to him.


• Say to him "I'm going to take a shower - wanna join me?" This activity is best when it's hot outside - otherwise you're left fighting over who gets to stand in the water stream longer. Wash each other too - there's something sexy about someone else sudsing you up.

There you go ladies. Four ideas for the long weekend. You have to eat, you have to shower, whispering is easy and getting changed will make you feel more attractive and look more attractive. No brainers - just try it!

Four-by-Fore (Play!) Friday

In light of the recent episodes of Jon & Kate Plus 8, I think it's crucial that we all do something as often as possible to show our husbands that it's not all about the kids all the time. Over and over, Jon and Kate both keep saying that the kids are the most important - but I wonder if they would be in a different marital position right now if they had made each other the most important instead - or God most important for that matter! We're all busy, I get that, but I want to take the opportunity on Fridays to present you with four suggestions for making your hubby feel like your #1 man again. Pick one, or two (or all four if you're feeling ambitious!) and try to work it in some time during the week. We need to start thinking of foreplay as a marital muscle that needs to be exercised.

Which one(s) will you pick this week?

• Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up a few things that you know he loves. Pack him a lunch and add a short note along the lines of "a few of your favorite things because you're MY favorite thing."


• Go for a walk with the kids and hold his hand. Even better, if your kids are old enough, let them ride their bikes ahead of you so you can have an adult conversation while holding his hand. Don't let it be about finances or the details of life either. Try this question: "If you knew you wouldn't fail, what kinds of things would you do with the rest of your life." Remember when we used to have conversations like that back in the dating days?!


• Do a chore that he normally does (take out the garbage, bathe the kids) and tell him that you wanted to give him a break for working hard all day.


• If you're a stay at home mom, thank your husband (look him in the eye so he knows that you're genuinely thankful) for going to work and being the financial provider for the family.

Some of these are basic, but it never hurts to be reminded to do something special, no matter how big or small a gesture, for your husband - who needs to be more important to you than your kids.