8 AM-Wake up. Talk over the plan (no screen time today) with parents. Come downstairs for breakfast
8:15 Breakfast
8:30 Bring armfuls of stuffed animals and matchbox cars downstairs. Spread them out over the surface of the living room in some way that they are likely to be stepped on. Turn on every light in the house, including the basement.
8:45 School for James and Owen.This is usually Felix's time to either turn loud music on the google speaker or to go upstairs and get into prized possessions of his older brothers.
9:45 James still doing school. Owen and Felix banging on the piano indiscriminately with the volume turned all the way up
10:00 Ten minutes of shouting
10:10 James still doing school. Owen and Felix dump an entire box of crayons out on the living room floor
10:15 Time to start begging for a snack. Dump truck races
10:30 AM School done. Get the wooden swords out.
10:40 Put the wooden swords away, get band-aids out. Time for debate and argument practice.
11:00 More snack begging. (Totally famished.) Slam all open door shut repeatedly.
11:15 Ten more minutes of shouting
11:30 Start spreading around parental possessions. (Coffee cups, phones, laptops, important documents)
11:45 Most intense food begging yet
12:00 Lunch. Complain about what's being served, spread it around/under the table. Eat some only under threat/bribery
12:20 Complain about being hungry
12:30 Outside playtime. Spread outside toys evenly across the yard and partially into neighboring yards
1:30 Naptime. (Percussion ensemble)
3:00 Snacktime. Complain about being starving.
3:15 PM School for James. Shouting match time for Owen and Felix
3:45 Start check-ins on the status of dinner. Change clothes for no apparent reason.
4:00-5:00 James' PM school done. 1 hr of sheer chaos
5:00 Change Felix's outfit, band-aids, unplug the google home speaker; dinner begging
5:15 Dinnertime. Complain about what's being served, spread it around/under the table. Eat some only under threat/bribery.
5:50 Screentime. Battle royale to determine which movie.
7:50 Bedtime stories, bottle, teeth brushing
8:00 1/2 hour of silent reading or optional nighttime percussion ensemble.
8:30 James telling on Owen for not turning out his reading light
8:45 James telling on Owen for keeping him awake by talking
9:00 James telling on Owen for keeping him awake by talking
9:15 Owen telling on James for not listening to him talk
9:30 Multiple trips to the bathroom for extra percussion ensemble practice
10:00 Felix wakes up and won't fall asleep again without sporting equipment in his bed.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Turns of Speech
James: "I don't want to eat my breakfast because it looks like a bowl of colorless, tasteless sludge."
"Owen is being QUITE difficult."
"This is very peculiar, isn't it?"
Me: "What's peculiar?"
"I was talking to Hobbes."
Owen <watching the final act of The Last Jedi and seeing Princess Leia enter the scene>
"Who's that? Is that Obi-wan Kenobi?"
Me: "No, that's Princess Leia."
"It doesn't look like her."
Me: "Well, she's much older now."
"Yeah, she sure looks different than she did in Return of the Jedi."
<Luke Skywalker enters>
"Great. Now they're probably going to start kissing."
Felix: "They should kiss."
Felix has developed a recurring enclitic. He tacks on the word "ago" to the end of every sentence whether it makes sense or not. Samples:
"My Big George got mud on hisself ago."
"I need a soccer ball in my crib when I do bedtime ago."
"This tent is from Critmit (Chrismas) ago."
"Why you drink your coffee on the floor ago?"
"Owen is being QUITE difficult."
"This is very peculiar, isn't it?"
Me: "What's peculiar?"
"I was talking to Hobbes."
Owen <watching the final act of The Last Jedi and seeing Princess Leia enter the scene>
"Who's that? Is that Obi-wan Kenobi?"
Me: "No, that's Princess Leia."
"It doesn't look like her."
Me: "Well, she's much older now."
"Yeah, she sure looks different than she did in Return of the Jedi."
<Luke Skywalker enters>
"Great. Now they're probably going to start kissing."
Felix: "They should kiss."
Felix has developed a recurring enclitic. He tacks on the word "ago" to the end of every sentence whether it makes sense or not. Samples:
"My Big George got mud on hisself ago."
"I need a soccer ball in my crib when I do bedtime ago."
"This tent is from Critmit (Chrismas) ago."
"Why you drink your coffee on the floor ago?"
Saturday, March 14, 2020
10 Questions with J
1) How has the coronavirus affected you and changed your life the for the next stretch?
A) Well, most of my paid work has been affected. Church has cancelled in-person services for at least the next three weeks. I just got back from my first recording session for a service. We're trying to figure out what tech we have and what we need to purchase. There are lots of questions about how and what we're going to record, and are we even going to be able to keep meeting in the church. We might not be able to even meet at the church in the next few days. The community music school is shut down through Easter, so I won't have any Monday evening rehearsals for the forseeable future, and I'm trying to figure out whether I should teach my private students here, through Skype, or not at all. Also, grocery shopping this morning was horrific. I was there at my normal time (9 AM) and there was a line halfway through the parking lot. When I got into the store I went straight to the toilet paper aisle (not for hoarding, we legit needed it) and they were down to the last three packages. They were out in three minutes. I discovered how it pays to know where everything was located. I got what I needed while those unfamiliar with the layout were figuring out where everything was. It was crazy.
2) What should we do with our Sunday morning at home in quarantine?
A) We are going to sleep in. We are going to have leisurely coffee (perhaps with an Irish splash) and attempt a fancy brunch dish (eggs benedict) as something different and fun. Owen and I will continue working on the puzzle we started today. I expect there'll be a lot of book reading, game playing, and possibly a movie.
N.B. J is such a better interviewee than the kids
3) What have you been reading recently, and what do you recommend?
A) I'm currently reading Grisham's The Rainmaker (which is a re-read), but I've been enjoying re-reading and am finding the only way I can stay focused on a book recently is to pick something up that doesn't require much mental effort. I recently finished Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come, which was a real-life shintrovert's year of trying new/scary/extroverted things. It was hilarious, it was insightful, and one couldn't help but note the irony of reading such horribly frightening anecdotes while being snuggled under a blanket with a mug of tea. With the quarantine I expect that it's going to be a record-breaking month for my book club.
4) Something that's made you sad and something that's made you happy in the last week?
A) I was happy with our date last night. Wonderful food, really good company, and it was comforting to know we can have good fellowship and food when we're stuck in our house. We've been practicing at that for a while. Sad? The realization that there's no way they're going to hold the Olympics this summer. Can/will Simone Biles hold out for at least one more year to claim all of the gold that is rightfully hers?
5) Favorite things you've eaten recently?
A) Date night in, obviously. Especially the pasta. (Bucatini al pepe) Also the Moroccan salmon and homemade pizza using my new most favorite pizza dough recipe.d
Interruption from James:
I just happened to start a new company <Felix is actively kicking him> called Wild Tiger Safe HEY GIVE US BACK THAT PILLOW <Felix runs off with the pillow and stuffed animals he dragged into the kitchen.> It's supposed to be a company that will save tigers. Owen says a good way to save tigers is to kill the poachers. That is not a very good way. We will have new ideas to help save them. But on the other hand, I guess we have some work to do.
6) You've been working with Owen very closely on his school recently. How's that going?
A) Overall, I think really well. I think he benefits from the one-on-one. I've been really pleased with how his reading seems to be improving even though we haven't spent much time working on it directly. He seems to be absorbing the skills and concepts on his own. He has good days and bad days as far as wanting to get started, but once he makes up his mind to do it he's quick as a whip at mastering the concepts and completing the work.
7) We've not seen much of our extended family recently, and who knows what the next few weeks will hold. Any bright ideas about things you'd like to do with them once we see each other again?
A) It will just be good to sit and chat and hear everyone's stories about what they've been up to. I'm sure we'll all have news.
8) It's getting warmer. What are you looking forward to doing in the great outdoors?
A) Reading outside, family hikes, letting the kids be able to burn off steam by running in the backyard. Potentially doing some outside running, though family runs have become less enjoyable.
What about in Florida, assuming you still get to go?
A) I'm trying not to get my hopes too high. I want to go the beach in Florida, and wear shorts. I want to eat ice cream outside and gab and gab and gab with my two best friends.
9) Current favorite things to do with James, Owen, and Felix?
A) James is really getting old enough to have some grown-up conversations and to think through things, which is amazing and scary and nice all at the same time. I also enjoy watching movies every now and then with James, because he doesn't ask me every two minutes what's going on.
School has been great with Owen. He's always up for playing a game, which the other two (really three) are not so much into doing. I like going grocery shopping with Felix--he's very cute and he keeps up an excellent commentary of what we're doing. And reading him stories. And brushing his teeth. We sing the ABCs while I brush his teeth, and then we sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame while he brushes his teeth. (And we take the last note up a fifth)
10) You have a big Barnes and Noble gift card. What do you get?
A) Rachel Denhollander, What Is a Girl Worth. And cookbooks. And a new puzzle. Because we have a lot of time for puzzles right now.
10) How would you spend a
A) Well, most of my paid work has been affected. Church has cancelled in-person services for at least the next three weeks. I just got back from my first recording session for a service. We're trying to figure out what tech we have and what we need to purchase. There are lots of questions about how and what we're going to record, and are we even going to be able to keep meeting in the church. We might not be able to even meet at the church in the next few days. The community music school is shut down through Easter, so I won't have any Monday evening rehearsals for the forseeable future, and I'm trying to figure out whether I should teach my private students here, through Skype, or not at all. Also, grocery shopping this morning was horrific. I was there at my normal time (9 AM) and there was a line halfway through the parking lot. When I got into the store I went straight to the toilet paper aisle (not for hoarding, we legit needed it) and they were down to the last three packages. They were out in three minutes. I discovered how it pays to know where everything was located. I got what I needed while those unfamiliar with the layout were figuring out where everything was. It was crazy.
2) What should we do with our Sunday morning at home in quarantine?
A) We are going to sleep in. We are going to have leisurely coffee (perhaps with an Irish splash) and attempt a fancy brunch dish (eggs benedict) as something different and fun. Owen and I will continue working on the puzzle we started today. I expect there'll be a lot of book reading, game playing, and possibly a movie.
N.B. J is such a better interviewee than the kids
3) What have you been reading recently, and what do you recommend?
A) I'm currently reading Grisham's The Rainmaker (which is a re-read), but I've been enjoying re-reading and am finding the only way I can stay focused on a book recently is to pick something up that doesn't require much mental effort. I recently finished Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come, which was a real-life shintrovert's year of trying new/scary/extroverted things. It was hilarious, it was insightful, and one couldn't help but note the irony of reading such horribly frightening anecdotes while being snuggled under a blanket with a mug of tea. With the quarantine I expect that it's going to be a record-breaking month for my book club.
4) Something that's made you sad and something that's made you happy in the last week?
A) I was happy with our date last night. Wonderful food, really good company, and it was comforting to know we can have good fellowship and food when we're stuck in our house. We've been practicing at that for a while. Sad? The realization that there's no way they're going to hold the Olympics this summer. Can/will Simone Biles hold out for at least one more year to claim all of the gold that is rightfully hers?
5) Favorite things you've eaten recently?
A) Date night in, obviously. Especially the pasta. (Bucatini al pepe) Also the Moroccan salmon and homemade pizza using my new most favorite pizza dough recipe.d
Interruption from James:
I just happened to start a new company <Felix is actively kicking him> called Wild Tiger Safe HEY GIVE US BACK THAT PILLOW <Felix runs off with the pillow and stuffed animals he dragged into the kitchen.> It's supposed to be a company that will save tigers. Owen says a good way to save tigers is to kill the poachers. That is not a very good way. We will have new ideas to help save them. But on the other hand, I guess we have some work to do.
6) You've been working with Owen very closely on his school recently. How's that going?
A) Overall, I think really well. I think he benefits from the one-on-one. I've been really pleased with how his reading seems to be improving even though we haven't spent much time working on it directly. He seems to be absorbing the skills and concepts on his own. He has good days and bad days as far as wanting to get started, but once he makes up his mind to do it he's quick as a whip at mastering the concepts and completing the work.
7) We've not seen much of our extended family recently, and who knows what the next few weeks will hold. Any bright ideas about things you'd like to do with them once we see each other again?
A) It will just be good to sit and chat and hear everyone's stories about what they've been up to. I'm sure we'll all have news.
8) It's getting warmer. What are you looking forward to doing in the great outdoors?
A) Reading outside, family hikes, letting the kids be able to burn off steam by running in the backyard. Potentially doing some outside running, though family runs have become less enjoyable.
What about in Florida, assuming you still get to go?
A) I'm trying not to get my hopes too high. I want to go the beach in Florida, and wear shorts. I want to eat ice cream outside and gab and gab and gab with my two best friends.
9) Current favorite things to do with James, Owen, and Felix?
A) James is really getting old enough to have some grown-up conversations and to think through things, which is amazing and scary and nice all at the same time. I also enjoy watching movies every now and then with James, because he doesn't ask me every two minutes what's going on.
School has been great with Owen. He's always up for playing a game, which the other two (really three) are not so much into doing. I like going grocery shopping with Felix--he's very cute and he keeps up an excellent commentary of what we're doing. And reading him stories. And brushing his teeth. We sing the ABCs while I brush his teeth, and then we sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame while he brushes his teeth. (And we take the last note up a fifth)
10) You have a big Barnes and Noble gift card. What do you get?
A) Rachel Denhollander, What Is a Girl Worth. And cookbooks. And a new puzzle. Because we have a lot of time for puzzles right now.
10) How would you spend a
10 Questions with Felix
A: I got my football. And my baketball. And my boot. And my Big George.
1) Are people sick?
A: Nope
What's the coronavirus?
A: I'dnt know. Coronavirus go upstairs. And it go down and up and sit in the froggy potty.
2) What did we find in your hair?
A: A tick.
What was it doing there?
A: I'nt know. We going a run but it too cool out there. It too cold. My blogging.
3) What makes you happy?
A: My hair. And a bath.
4) Why are you biting your boot?
A: <giggles> Yeah, it taste yummy.
5) What do you want for dinner?
A: Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Oh cream. Ah cream.
6) What's your favorite song?
A: Baby Shark. Let's do Baby Shark.
7) Who do you love at church? Big Meredith?
A: Yeah, Big Meredith. And Miss Anne.
8) What's your favorite thing about Mommy?
A: We got outside and play football.
9) What's your favorite thing about Owen?
A: Play football while riding in a dump truck.
10) What does James do?
A: Play football with this brown football
1) Are people sick?
A: Nope
What's the coronavirus?
A: I'dnt know. Coronavirus go upstairs. And it go down and up and sit in the froggy potty.
2) What did we find in your hair?
A: A tick.
What was it doing there?
A: I'nt know. We going a run but it too cool out there. It too cold. My blogging.
3) What makes you happy?
A: My hair. And a bath.
4) Why are you biting your boot?
A: <giggles> Yeah, it taste yummy.
5) What do you want for dinner?
A: Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Oh cream. Ah cream.
6) What's your favorite song?
A: Baby Shark. Let's do Baby Shark.
7) Who do you love at church? Big Meredith?
A: Yeah, Big Meredith. And Miss Anne.
8) What's your favorite thing about Mommy?
A: We got outside and play football.
9) What's your favorite thing about Owen?
A: Play football while riding in a dump truck.
10) What does James do?
A: Play football with this brown football
10 Questions with Owen
1) What do you know about the coronavirus, and what do you think about all the changes we've had over the past few days?
A: What I know about the coronavirus is a lot of things. That it can make you sick and die, and you don't know if for four days when you have it. That's all I know about the virus.
What about the changes from the past few days?
A: That we've been having more baths more recently. That Mommy is getting prettier each day. That's all.
2) What should we do when we are all home together tomorrow morning on a Sunday?
A: Have a good breakfast and have a good day. And watch a movie during night.
3) Tell me about what we've been doing with LEGOs up in your room recently?
A: We've been sorting them and making them into ships. Fleets, that is. We have color fleets. Red is my fleet. White is Felix's fleet. And black is James' fleet. Felix doesn't really take good care of the ships. The rest of the ships are for everybody.
4) What's something that's made you very sad recently, and what's something that's made you very happy recently?
A: Let's see. The sad thing is that James and his stuffed animals and him didn't want kisses. They thought that would spread the 'ronavirus. The happy thing is that Felix isn't getting in my bed often.
5) Why don't you ever want a sandwich for lunch, and is there a type of food that you would want to eat every day?
A: Chicken Charlie pizza. I don't think sandwiches are very good.
Not any type of sandwich? Not grilled cheese, or tunafish, or peanut butter and jelly?
A: I like some kinds.
Which kinds?
A: Like, ham and cheese. Plain mustard. Once we had a babysitter, and guess how many mustard sandwiches I ate? FIVE.
6) What's the most important thing you've learned in school this year, and what do you think you'll learn next year in first grade?
A: Just math, writing, and all that old stuff.
7) What do you want to do with each of our cousins the next time we see them?
A: Play with them. Play things they like.
8) Tell me about why you were at the hospital on Friday morning?
A: I grew past the almonds, watched a movie, got to play some games. The thing while I watched the movie, I outgrowed almonds, so I can have them. And that now I can have almond butter on my sandwiches. Which would be pretty good.
You want to try an almond butter and jelly sandwich soon?
A: Sure!
9) What's your favorite thing about Mommy, your favorite thing about James, and your favorite thing about Felix?
A: My favorite about Felix is that he's cute. My favorite thing about Mommy is that she's SO snuggly. About James that he is my brother.
10) If you could pick out 20 books from Barnes and Noble, what would they be?
A: I would buy some stuff at the train center.
Books, though.
A: I would get some Garfield books. If they were out of Garfield books I would pick out some books that I like, like Calvin and Hobbes.
We already own all of those.
A: Just a couple Calvin and Hobbes that we don't have.
A: What I know about the coronavirus is a lot of things. That it can make you sick and die, and you don't know if for four days when you have it. That's all I know about the virus.
What about the changes from the past few days?
A: That we've been having more baths more recently. That Mommy is getting prettier each day. That's all.
2) What should we do when we are all home together tomorrow morning on a Sunday?
A: Have a good breakfast and have a good day. And watch a movie during night.
3) Tell me about what we've been doing with LEGOs up in your room recently?
A: We've been sorting them and making them into ships. Fleets, that is. We have color fleets. Red is my fleet. White is Felix's fleet. And black is James' fleet. Felix doesn't really take good care of the ships. The rest of the ships are for everybody.
4) What's something that's made you very sad recently, and what's something that's made you very happy recently?
A: Let's see. The sad thing is that James and his stuffed animals and him didn't want kisses. They thought that would spread the 'ronavirus. The happy thing is that Felix isn't getting in my bed often.
5) Why don't you ever want a sandwich for lunch, and is there a type of food that you would want to eat every day?
A: Chicken Charlie pizza. I don't think sandwiches are very good.
Not any type of sandwich? Not grilled cheese, or tunafish, or peanut butter and jelly?
A: I like some kinds.
Which kinds?
A: Like, ham and cheese. Plain mustard. Once we had a babysitter, and guess how many mustard sandwiches I ate? FIVE.
6) What's the most important thing you've learned in school this year, and what do you think you'll learn next year in first grade?
A: Just math, writing, and all that old stuff.
7) What do you want to do with each of our cousins the next time we see them?
A: Play with them. Play things they like.
8) Tell me about why you were at the hospital on Friday morning?
A: I grew past the almonds, watched a movie, got to play some games. The thing while I watched the movie, I outgrowed almonds, so I can have them. And that now I can have almond butter on my sandwiches. Which would be pretty good.
You want to try an almond butter and jelly sandwich soon?
A: Sure!
9) What's your favorite thing about Mommy, your favorite thing about James, and your favorite thing about Felix?
A: My favorite about Felix is that he's cute. My favorite thing about Mommy is that she's SO snuggly. About James that he is my brother.
10) If you could pick out 20 books from Barnes and Noble, what would they be?
A: I would buy some stuff at the train center.
Books, though.
A: I would get some Garfield books. If they were out of Garfield books I would pick out some books that I like, like Calvin and Hobbes.
We already own all of those.
A: Just a couple Calvin and Hobbes that we don't have.
10 Questions with James
1) What do you know about the coronavirus, and what do you think about all the changes over the past few days?
A: I know that coronavirus spreads quickly and church has been cancelled.
2) What should we do with our Sunday at home in quarantine?
A: Have a movie night.
What should we watch?
A: We should watch...I don't know. Watch Star Wars.
3) You've been reading a lot of books recently to earn a Chicken Charlie pizza. Which have been your favorites and why?
A: Tonight on the Titanic, because I like the Titanic.
4) What's something that's made you feel very sad recently, and what's something that has made you feel very happy recently?
A: The happy thing is that we have a nice place to live, and the sad thing is that Felix keeps getting up into my bed and throwing my things down.
He hit you right in the head recently with a book.
A: Yeah.
5) Why do you like cheese and mustard sandwiches so much, and do you think you'll ever have another food that you want to eat every single day?
A: I don't know what I'll have in the future, but I like them because they taste good.
6) What's the most important thing you've learned in school this year, and what do you think you'll want to work on in fourth grade?
A: Fun things to spell. It's important to spell things correctly with capitalization. I'd like to work in fourth grade on spelling.
7) We miss our cousins. What would you want to do with each of your cousins the next time we see them?
A: Play awhile. Play ball.
8) The weather has been warmer. What are your plans for when we can go outside every day?
A: Play sports.
Which ones?
A: Football.
9) What is your favorite thing about Mommy, your favorite thing about Owen, and your favorite thing about Felix?
A: Felix is playful. I like Mommy because she's nice, and I like Owen because he's my brother.
10) If you could pick out 20 new books from Barnes and Noble, what would you get?
A: Calvin and Hobbes.
That's about 7. 13 more.
A: 13 Garfield books.
What if they were out of Garfield.
A: Titanic
A: I know that coronavirus spreads quickly and church has been cancelled.
2) What should we do with our Sunday at home in quarantine?
A: Have a movie night.
What should we watch?
A: We should watch...I don't know. Watch Star Wars.
3) You've been reading a lot of books recently to earn a Chicken Charlie pizza. Which have been your favorites and why?
A: Tonight on the Titanic, because I like the Titanic.
4) What's something that's made you feel very sad recently, and what's something that has made you feel very happy recently?
A: The happy thing is that we have a nice place to live, and the sad thing is that Felix keeps getting up into my bed and throwing my things down.
He hit you right in the head recently with a book.
A: Yeah.
5) Why do you like cheese and mustard sandwiches so much, and do you think you'll ever have another food that you want to eat every single day?
A: I don't know what I'll have in the future, but I like them because they taste good.
6) What's the most important thing you've learned in school this year, and what do you think you'll want to work on in fourth grade?
A: Fun things to spell. It's important to spell things correctly with capitalization. I'd like to work in fourth grade on spelling.
7) We miss our cousins. What would you want to do with each of your cousins the next time we see them?
A: Play awhile. Play ball.
8) The weather has been warmer. What are your plans for when we can go outside every day?
A: Play sports.
Which ones?
A: Football.
9) What is your favorite thing about Mommy, your favorite thing about Owen, and your favorite thing about Felix?
A: Felix is playful. I like Mommy because she's nice, and I like Owen because he's my brother.
10) If you could pick out 20 new books from Barnes and Noble, what would you get?
A: Calvin and Hobbes.
That's about 7. 13 more.
A: 13 Garfield books.
What if they were out of Garfield.
A: Titanic
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Something Odd
Something odd has been happening as our kids have grown.
I see J now. Not just occasionally, but multiple times per day. And when I see her, it's often alone. The kids will be awake and in the house, but not clamoring outright for one/both of us to pay attention. Even more strangely, we will have both slept through the previous night.
It's been about eight years since we've had these sorts of interactions, so it feels unfamiliar.
The kids still interrupt regularly. (If not directly than with some sort of smashing/spilling/breaking noise from upstairs that needs to be checked on). And Felix regularly wails out in the middle of the night that "DADDEEEE....I NEE'A WOKINNAWOKKY-CHAIR!" (I need a rock in the rocking-chair)
But there is still no doubt that we are gradually seeing more of each other, and that we are more awake than we have been in several years. Here are some of the nice things that you can do with your spouse.
-Read in bed before falling asleep
-Chat in the kitchen while working on making dinner together
-Pick up all the pillows and blankets on the floor and put them back onto the furniture where they are supposed to go, and then sit on the actual furniture
-Play duets
-Have cup of coffee in the sunbeam that comes in through the front window
The really luxurious thing about all of this is that it works while still also doing the things that need to be taken care of, but have to be done alone. (Trading runs on the treadmill, practicing, answering work emails, etc.)
The downside to leaving the kids to their own devices upstairs is that a lot of stuff gets broken. I was at Lowe's a few days ago with a full cart, and as I rang up each item I realized that my entire basket was replacements of things that Owen had broken over the previous month. (One 35" mini-blind--kicking, one 28" mini-blind--climbing, one shower slip bar--climbing and hanging, one custom reading light bulb--yanking and throwing, etc...)
At this point I'm inclined to sacrifice the mini-blinds for my wife's company.
I see J now. Not just occasionally, but multiple times per day. And when I see her, it's often alone. The kids will be awake and in the house, but not clamoring outright for one/both of us to pay attention. Even more strangely, we will have both slept through the previous night.
It's been about eight years since we've had these sorts of interactions, so it feels unfamiliar.
The kids still interrupt regularly. (If not directly than with some sort of smashing/spilling/breaking noise from upstairs that needs to be checked on). And Felix regularly wails out in the middle of the night that "DADDEEEE....I NEE'A WOKINNAWOKKY-CHAIR!" (I need a rock in the rocking-chair)
But there is still no doubt that we are gradually seeing more of each other, and that we are more awake than we have been in several years. Here are some of the nice things that you can do with your spouse.
-Read in bed before falling asleep
-Chat in the kitchen while working on making dinner together
-Pick up all the pillows and blankets on the floor and put them back onto the furniture where they are supposed to go, and then sit on the actual furniture
-Play duets
-Have cup of coffee in the sunbeam that comes in through the front window
The really luxurious thing about all of this is that it works while still also doing the things that need to be taken care of, but have to be done alone. (Trading runs on the treadmill, practicing, answering work emails, etc.)
The downside to leaving the kids to their own devices upstairs is that a lot of stuff gets broken. I was at Lowe's a few days ago with a full cart, and as I rang up each item I realized that my entire basket was replacements of things that Owen had broken over the previous month. (One 35" mini-blind--kicking, one 28" mini-blind--climbing, one shower slip bar--climbing and hanging, one custom reading light bulb--yanking and throwing, etc...)
At this point I'm inclined to sacrifice the mini-blinds for my wife's company.
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