D.W.
Hi Cathy!
For the summer- and again I think in October there is always Shakespear in the Park, down in Tennison Park (grand ave). It is free during the week and only $7.00 on Fri/Sat PM's. You can pack a nice picinic as food and drinks are allowed.
We have gone just for a coffee and a walk around White Rock, The Dollar movies, and of course dinner, but trying new and differnet resteraunts.
As far as babysitting, I really try and find a friend I can swap with- she will come here on night and I will go to her place another.
If I do hire a teen I pay by the job- and it depends on if I ask her to make dinners, bathe kids etc....
Our church youth group will hold parent's night outs where the youth come in and babysit, feed the kids pizza and play in the gym for a few hours. It is one on a donation basis- usually to raise $$.
Hope this helps :-)
D.