It's all about looks...

Youngest child to Middle child: You look just like Mom, but without all of the wrinkles.

They're baaaaack...

And I thought I missed all the noise...

Seriously though, it is good to have the kids back home. Even with the arguing (with me, not each other), whining and just general tiredness - I've missed these rugrats. And even if I hadn't, I'm glad the dog is no longer wanting to be outside every 30 seconds to see if they are coming home yet. Geez.

In other news, the summer sitter is done and the kids are generally pleased. For whatever reasons, they weren't overly thrilled with the arrangement, but at the same time, I'm sure they enjoyed it much more than they would have if they had gone somewhere else.

Lost...

Been a while and lots has been happening. I've been traveling for work again (finally done), and the family has been enjoying summer vacation. First, neice and nephew were down to visit. It is simply amazing to me how the kids can go for months at a time and not miss a beat. Then we shipped ours back home to visit relatives. Everyone seems to be having a good time. Worst seems to be the youngest falling out of a tree. Picked up some scratches, but all is well.

And of course, while the kids are away, the parents will play. The wife and I decided to postpone our anniversary celebration (it's been 10 years already) until the kids were away and take a short trip. We ended up picking Hilton Head, because it was close (about a 5 hour drive) and near the water. Other than poor customer service from majority of the hotel staff, we had a great trip. Excellent food, and the best was the ability to be spontaneous again (even if it was to spontaneously take a nap - we are getting sooo old). All in all, good time, great food and even better company (from my view at least). I do miss the kids however.

So, the wife left Thursday to retrieve the kids, leaving me on my own for 5 days. Problem is, after the first day, I've been as lost as the dog. Getting to the point where I think my neighbors are avoiding me. How do stay at home folks do it?

Anyway, that pretty much catches you up on us. Not as interesting as usual perhaps, but definitely more relaxed. More stories soon - once the kids get home.

Say WHAT?!?!?!

This morning, while trying to keep the youngest cheered up enough to leave us, I decided the best way was to give some responsibility in order to make up for abandoning Mom and Dad. Below is almost the exact conversation:

Youngest: I love you Dad. I'm going to miss you.
Me: I love you too and I'm going to miss you very much. Can you do me a favor though? Can you watch out for your sisters? You know, make sure they don't get in trouble and are good and all that? Remind them we love and miss them too?
Youngest: Yep, I can do that Dad.
Middle: Watch us? Watch us? You realize Dad that he is the "little brother". We should be watching out for him, not the other way around. Do you even know what you're saying Dad?

Umm, I thought I did, but since you put it that way...

Kid Swapping...

We met up with my sister to loan our children and return theirs. The kids will be vagabonding with various friends and family for the next couple weeks. In the meantime however, the adults decided to play some cards and have some fun while the kids slept. The wife, after dealing almost single handedly with 5 children on her own the last couple weeks decided to have a few drinks prior to cards - 2 (5 shot) Long Island ice teas later she was feeling no pain.

Sis and I decided to be partners in a friendly game of Euchre and my drunk wife decied to use our initials A&D for the score sheet (couldn't use the cards in this deck). She quickly related A&D to A&D ointment, and here is where the fun really begins...we became known as the butt salve team. I quickly pointed out we weren't preparation H when my darling sweet OLDER sister proudly announces (complete with emphatic fist pumping) THAT'S RIGHT, WE'RE BUTT SALVE!!!! So much for that argument.

Shortly after that, my drunkard was making other mocking comments, which got her shoved off the bed (where we were playing cards...what were YOU thinking?!?!). While she has one hand on the floor and is trying to figure out a way to get up, begging for help, she decides to further add insult to injury and call her sweet husband "Ass Monkey" every time I began to help. After a couple of minutes she finally realized the error of her ways. Nope, she didn't apologize, she just realized she could roll off of the bed and then sit back down on it.

So, after a rousing night of beating children and truly laughing so hard it hurts, the wife and I are childless. Problem is, I no longer have any idea of what to do with all of the free time....