Single Working Fatherhood

On Saturday Melody will return from Texas where she has been volunteering for the Red Cross response for Huricane Rita doing public affairs work. She started in Austin, went to Houston, out to Baumont, up to Lufkin, side trips to Jasper, over to San Antonio, and finaly back to Houston where she is working the Baumont area. She has been doing amazing work, but I can't wait for her to be back on Saturday.

My work days involves getting kids up (or they getting me up), getting kids fed, changed, dressed, getting myself showered, shaved, dressed (rarely feed), getting shoes and jackets on, getting dog fed and sending her outside, getting into the car and to school. Into school (aka daycare), usually shortly after 0800. Having to listen to Dustin cry when I leave (most of the time), getting to work. Work until 1600 and then pick up kids (daycare doesn't go to 1700). Pick up kids. Go to store and buy some dinner or go to park for a bit, or just go home and play there until I start dinner between 1730 and 1800. Eat (hopefully they eat it all). Clear table. Kids play a bit more, then into PJs, then bed time stories, sing songs, and to bed. Hopefully between 1945 and 2030. Hopefully they actually go to sleep fairly soon withou much fussing and crying. Then about two hours to myslef to watch some tv, do some laundry, so a bit more quite cleaning (no vaccuming, which is much needed).

And I only had to do this for three weeks. Single working parents are amazing and deserve much respect.

Tomorrow Gandma and Grandpa (Pappa) arrive around 1700. Kids can't wait. Saturday Melody gets home. Sweet relief is in sight!