Day 4

Day 4 of being alone with the kids. 2 to go. Here's what I did today:

2 loads of laundry

a trip to the park to play in the water feature

watched my friend's 2 kids

let PG have a friend over as well

took the kids swimming

made flower leis for the girls out of our backyard jasmine

negotiated a nap for J without him throwing a fit

went to the grocery store

dealt with an allergic reaction that came from nowhere

made a breakfast dinner

bathed and showered the children

supervised/refereed the cleaning of 2 very messy rooms

read bedtime stories

put children to bed

Now, I don't mean to keep harping on my spouse. He's gone, he missed our anniversary and left me alone with the kids while he funs off, it's done. I will let this go.

Eventually.

However, today in one of my more resentful feeling moments, I thought to myself how it would be deeply satisfying to greet him at the door when he comes home with my own bags packed. I'd breeze past him with my luggage and say "Bye. I'll see you in 6 days! Have fun & good luck!"

Then I realized that what his Day 4 would look like:

take the kids for doughnuts

play video games with the kids

watch movies with the kids

go swimming with the kids

order a pizza for dinner

put the kids to bed.

It's also probably what days 1,2,3,5, & 6 would look like too. Except day 6 would probably include some cleaning.

So, my little fantasy is ruined because in it I'd come through the door wanting to see him tired and bedraggled and instead he'd be happy and smug. And I'd say "How'd it go?" hoping to hear him cry about how hard it was, and he'd say instead "Fine!". And then none of the kids would be happy to see me because the return of this fun sucker means that their glory days are over.

It's a lose/lose situation I'm in. If I was just a little less neurotic, I'd go ahead and throw in the towel, and forego all teaching of manners, hygiene, nutrition, etc. etc.

Thankfully, I'm neurotic enough to stick to my guns.

You all have a good night!