So disappointing...

 February is going to be bonkers, and we started it off on the wrong foot. In a month where we are going to rely on our babysitters (whom we love) to get us through a difficult press or extra teaching, extra services, and extra orchestra work we had two different sitters end up in the hospital on back to back days.

They are fine. Also, not their fault. But we were in trouble. 

"We will make the best of a bad situation," I said. 

"We will turn this inconvenience into an adventure. Let me bring the boys to Syracuse and we'll spend the night in a hotel. We'll go swimming and order a pizza and watch ESPN. Then they can come to my concerts in the morning and we will have a grand fun time without making them do this drive twice in two days."

Then the upstairs bathroom sink stopped draining. Two hours, one trip to Lowe's, and several yelled exchanges out from the open bathroom window to the person manning the sillcock spigot out in the snow later (February is COLD) we had a draining sink again and I tried to get the boys to finish packing.

"Don't forget your swimsuits! I made sure that I booked a hotel with a pool. Also, toothbrushes. And bring something to read for during the concert."

Felix announced that he had a loose tooth. 

"Try not to lose it while I'm in rehearsal."

"How long is this rehearsal going to take?"

"I can't really control that. It all depends on how to conductor chooses to run the rehearsal."

"Is this conductor one of those terrible people you tell Mom about? Are they evil and bad?"

We got out of rehearsal relatively painlessly and picked up a pizza and wings. And also some carrots, so it would be healthy.

We checked into the hotel.

"Room 108. Follow the steps down past that sign to your right and you'll be four doors down."

We followed the steps right past the sign that said 'Outdoor Pool.'

"Boys, I have some bad news..."

Felix cried because eating wings hurt his loose tooth. Owen was upset because we couldn't swim. James was upset that Felix and Owen wanted to watch the only football-related programming we could find, which was a rebroadcast of the Eagles losing to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

"Owen and Felix, why don't you guys get into your swimsuits and you can splash around in the bathtub?"

Only a shower. No bath available. 

I found one of the children attempting to floss bits of chicken wing out of their teeth with one of the instant coffee packets.

It was so disappointing...

...until the continental breakfast.

This is where I, as their father, earned all the credit back.

Waffles, cereal, bagels, yogurt, nut bars, syrup, breakfast sandwiches!

Owen didn't even need to eat lunch that day. (He just had a fluffernutter sandwich, for something healthy)