I would suggest a nice dinner, and or somewhere that offers dinner and a show. Then have like a little scavenger hunt planned out, along with little rose petals leading to the notes. I think it will be a really easy thing to do, with some planning and you should have a great night with your wife.

Have your wife meet you a the most beautiful outdoor place you can think of. As private as you want it to be.

Set up a picnic, it does not have to be anything fancy, bought sandwiches, or even her favorite fast food. Bring a blanket, her favorite book or magazine, lotion, candles (or lantern) and a music player.

You two will eat, talk, read, sit quietly, give each other foot massages (that is what the lotion was for), dance, kiss, etc.

She will be surprised, relaxed, pampered and have a night off with no expectations from work, family or strangers.

Oh, she sounds like a woman after my own heart. She's very close to my own age (I'm 29) and we have a small kid too. I think she's probably a romantic like me, so I'm rubbing my hands together in anticipation of what would be a dream date.

Some scenarios that would make me drool:

1.) Spa evening.
Before going out to dinner, take her to a spa and keep her company as she has a facial, manicure (or maybe a massage?). Give her the queen's treatment to make her feel refreshed and beautiful. Surprise her with this. And while she's having all this beauty work done, stay by her side and read to her from her book or favorite magazine.

2.) Borders shopping.
This sounds maybe bland to some, but I love an evening of going to Borders, ordering a Chai Tea Latte, and then browsing books for hours. My husband will just catch glimpses of me skittering through the stacks of shelves with arms FULL of books. That kind of indulgence is magical and fun. It's really a full evening experience, especially if you go to a Borders with a cafe, and you share a piece of chocolate cake and enjoy some quiet time together.

2.) Surprise getaway.
This is my dream. If you can, get the grandparents (or someone you're very close with) to take the kids for the whole weekend.

Don't let you wife know. Pack their bags on the sly and make sure the babysitter keeps the secret too. Don't tell the kids until they're already there.

Then take her out to dinner, or hell, just hit the expressway! Take her to a fancy hotel or bed and breakfast somewhere out of town within a few hours' drive of home. Have an overnight bag for her already packed and in the car (don't forget women's things like toothbrush, deodorant, bras, lots of socks, extra shoes, etc.), along with a bottle of champagne, some champagne flutes, some chocolates, a warm blanket for her lap for the car ride, and some good tunes on the radio.

Whisk her away for the most magical, romantic, and sexy weekend of her life! She will flip for it, being the romantic she is!

Oh, I'm melting just thinking about all the ways it could be so magical with the right planning!

Good luck and happy date night!

-For your Date concideration-
You ask for something unique so here is my suggestion for a very special night out that you both would enjoy I think.
Perhaps a light dinner prior to taking in this concert, or maybe just an appertizer and cocktail, with an after concert dinner plan, You would know more about the local restaurants in the area to make dining arrangments.
This Violinist is remarkable, i don't think you would regret the experince.

Violin Diva
LARA ST. JOHN,
Friday, October 23, 2009, 8 pm
Glenn Gould Studio
more details here;
http://www.sinfoniatoronto.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cWwN651ECY

As an alternative date you might concider one of the many Dinner cruises.
Your blessed to live in a city with wonderful skyline and some fantastic lake cruises that can make for a very special date night.
http://www.artistichomeowner.com/i//500_Toronto.jpg
Heres a link to just one outfit to book a cruise,there are quite a few to chose from.
http://www.showmetoronto.com/toronto_travel_cruises.htm
Whatever you chose just make it enjoyable and remember that any date spent with your wife is a special date.

Have a great date
Shadowbear

Do something spontaneous, something she wouldn't ever expect to let her know you still value her to the sense you will think of something so great

With all the great answers I hesitate to even comment, but this is my two sense on a great date:

First sense: You have to plan within your budget, with the economy such as this, saving is always a great idea. Plus, you have kids and no matter how much you both make, having a little more saving is always good.

Second sense: You have to plan a date that you'll both enjoy. Hopefully, she'll enjoy it enough when she return back to the office and share some of the details with her co-workers.

With that in mind, I would go to a place that's some what nostalgic. Somewhere that you both enjoyed before you two married. Such as, the nice little restaurant that you took her on your first date.

I would avoid a show or movie, since you two don't spend enough time talking and communicating because of work and kids, it'll be a nice way to share thoughts and not about work or kids for the night.
A show or movie might take up to two hours, and both parties are not communicating, to me that's wasting time.

This is my suggestion: plan a date to help out at the food shelter. Something that you two can work as a team and feel good about it later too. It won't cost you anything, plus seeing your wife helping others would remind you of why you fell in love with her in the first place.

Or

Take her to the spot where you first kissed her, the first restaurant where you ate with her. Afterward, take her ice skating or roller blade.

The point is to have fun and from time to time through all the running around with our daily life let your partner know that you care and cherish each-other.

Since the temperature in Canada is dropping, plan for an enjoyable winter date with your wife. First of all, find a friend or relative to take your children off your hands for a day or two. Rent a cabin and enjoy nice long evenings in front of a warm fire place, just you and her sipping hot chocolate. This gives you a chance to watch a "sappy chick flick" together, listen to slow music and dance, or just to sit and talk and savor each other's company. If the cabin includes a jacuzzi, even better. Needless to say, the picnic idea can be transferred to an indoor location, such as the cozy cabin (in front of the fireplace) if it is too cold outside. Take her ice skating and hold hands while you do your rounds on the ice and afterwards go play in the snow like in your younger days. Having childish fun is a great way to relieve everyday stress and refresh your relationship. Take her out dancing to a nightclub that plays your favorite type of music and just let go for that night. If you are looking for an indoor date, you may also consider scheduling a couples massage session. The masseuse may help you both relax as well as teach you techniques to use on each other. Overall, try to figure out what makes both you and your wife happy, what you both enjoy doing, or what you haven't been able to do in a long time (or ever) and try to go for it when planning your special date. You may surprise your wife by opting for a day filled with special fun that she would have never expected. Have fun planning your date and I hope the two of you will have a wonderful time.

Rent a hotel room with a jacuzzi in the room, a bottle champagne, some chocolates, room service, and bubble bath....

That's what I got for my anniversary. It was divine. I loved the 'female perks', and once I was perked, he got his perks too!

Or... you can rent a hot air balloon ride at sunset, with a basket of cheese, crackers, fruit and some Conundrum wine... and don't forget the strawberries, dipped in chocolate, of course.

If you're not tired of kiddie things after playing with your own children, it might be fun to recapture some of your own childhoods. Make a fort in the TV room out of blankets and pillows and watch favorite movies or television shows from your own childhood, complete with all the goodies you weren't allowed to have before dinner as a kid. A plate of cookies, a bowl of chips, a big glass of soda, you get the picture. It's a lot cheaper than going out, and you can be as playful as you want.

Or if you want something more mature and sophisticated, take a nice drive to somewhere where you can see the stars. Pack comfy blankets and some champagne or wine.

And finally, if you're set on spending money, see if any museums, art galleries, zoos, or aquariums are open late in your area. Learning new things together is surprisingly romantic.

OK just a shot,

Your married and have children, busy life styles and hardley no time.
Is it possible to take her back to where you met or proposed to her?
If so take her back and propose again, let her know you love her even more now. It sounds like you could afford to spruce it up some now.
Then let her know the rest of the evening is her decision because one evening is not enough for the beautiful children and home she has helped make with you.

P.S. I always liked an open horse and buggy ride. They normally provide a blanket to snuggle under.

Also if you do this take tissues.