Color Coded...

Here's the setting: At dinner, discussing best and worst parts (yes, Beaver Cleaverish, but still fun)

Youngest: The best and worst part of my day was having my friend over...
Me: Having your friend over was a worst part (because of how he had said it)
Youngest: No. The worst and best part of my day was having my friend over...
Me: You already said that
Youngest: Yes, but I wanted to make sure you'd understand so it's color coded...

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...