We have not. Which probably means we're screwed. Or we're going to have to get seriously crafty. Which is another way of saying we're screwed. If you have bought costumes, where did you shop? And was it a good deal? What will your kids be for Halloween this year? And will Dad dress up as well?

Last night I had a rare night out with my wife and some friends (all parents), and we collectively agreed that the thing we miss most, and resolve to get back into our lives: live music. We inhabit a city that promotes itself as the live music capital of the world, yet none of us had seen a show in months. My kids are old enough now that I hereby resolve to get out and hear some more music!

I know exactly what you're saying, Milwaukee has had Summerfest here for about 50 years or so and hosts some of the biggest and baddest artists, but with me working 3rd, that's put the kabosh on a number of things, inclusive of that. I used to be into the blues scene, but at 4 am even the warlords and old timers have packed it up and went home. I can't remember the last time I had a good jam session with some fellow amateurs.... oh those were the days. But hey, at least i'm used to it.<br><br>Bri-<br><br>Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

I hear that (no pun intended). Whenever I think about Austin I think about live and free Blues downtown (what's the name of that strip in Austin again??). If I ever make it back to Austin again, I'm going to schedule some extra time to hear live Blues!

For me right now... it's cycling. I just don't have the time to go out by myself right now and cycle for 4-6 hours in a day like I used to when I'd train for charity rides. My road bike has been hanging from the ceiling of the garage for most of the past 2 years unriden. The only biking I've done is with the family (which I definitely enjoy though, too, but it's different too), and I use my mountain bike for that because I attach the trail-a-bike for the 5 year old to it.<br><br>I'm hoping next year (when we aren't expecting a new baby) to at least get into some smaller charity rides. At some point when the kids are old enough it'd be cool to include them in the ride somehow (volunteering or even biking with me even if on a tandem).

It's interesting that two of the comments so far are music related because both my wife and I had to give up learning new instruments a few years ago when our oldest was born. (Guitar for me and piano for my wife) But most of all, my wife and I use to really enjoy going to the movies. We are just starting to take our kids back to the theaters (mostly Pixar), but still, you can't really see flix like The Happenings with the kiddies around.

I hear ya on the movies. Pretty much nothing but kid movies at home right now. Although I spend about 2.5 hours on the train every day commuting so that's my personal DVD time. <br><br>We pretty much never go to the movie theater anymore.

2 hrs, that's rough, but at least you can get some downtime somehow.

True that there are things that you might need to give up, BUT there are also things that you SHOULD NOT give up. Take for instance the saxes. IF I were you, I would not only maintain the enjoyable past-time but find soft soothing songs to play when your children are babies and more upbeat when they get older. You are teaching them the joy of music, without any effort. Now about kicking the habit. The health of the child should ALWAYS come first AND that includes your health since if you are not around then the child is then lacking half of their parents.<br><br>I say this out of experience. I stopped workingout and doing all of my outdoor passtimes like rollerblading, cycling, softball, etc. It has taken me ten years to start picking up these enjoyments, FOR MYSELF.<br><br>Remember that a happy child is one with involved parents that have avenues to release stress. That you are not taking it out on them.

I guess free time is too obvious to be a legitimate answer???<br><br>To be more specific, I miss having time where I can just do any darn thing I want. Sometimes my wife will take our daughter to hang out with the other moms for a few hours on a Saturday morning, and I'll get maybe 2-4 hours of time which does not need to be accounted for to anybody. Even if I spend 4 hours sitting in my underwear reading the newspaper, I savor every single moment of that time.<br><br>Although, to be honest, I'm not sure if the lack of free time occurred when I got married or when I had kids. Maybe they're both equally responsible....?

The only thing I miss the most from before my daughter was born, and before I got married even, is online gaming. I used to be a big online gamer in the Battlefield series but had to cut back when I got married and had to give it up when my daughter was born. Now that she is older, I've tried to get into it again, but still can't get on like I used to.

Might want to check out www.geezergamers.com - it's for people like you (and me) who just don't have the time to play like we used to. Gives you a chance to meet others who won't mind if you have to leave mid-way through something to tend to a child.

I think we all just give up money LOL. It's not as easy to make ends meet once ya got a child. Other than that I simply miss the free time. Ya know the ability to just get up and go do whatever, like now when Brianna is crying .......