Daddy's three days alone with the kids...

Day 1

So let me start by clarifying this is not Sharlene, but Sharlene's amazingly unselfish super-husband Paul. Sharlene is currently in Colorado helping Tuesday and her family during these tough times. Since she probably won't get a chance to post to her blog she thought it might be a good idea for me to do it for her. Now instead of trying to update everyone on the events taking place in Colorado, I've decided to let Sharlene do that instead and treat all of you to a play-by-play of my day.

So today went pretty smoothly. The kids woke up in the morning and I was determined to keep them away from the television by providing hours of entertainment. I made them a five course breakfast consisting of grapes, pop tarts, waffles, yogurt, and more grapes which was served over a two hour period. I've found over the past two years that our kids like to graze as opposed to sitting down and eating an entire meal. During this time we played, created a new Olympic event called Blanket-tugging (which Mari dominated), and ran around outside yelling at Daddy to turn on the sprinkler.

Around 10:00 AM I collapsed, turned on the tv, and woke up around 3:00 when Season 1 of Backyardigans finally ended. No I'm just kidding, but I did let them watch their shows until 11:30 when it was decided as a group that we all needed naps. For those of you who may not be up to speed on the whole nap phenomenon, they are the greatest thing ever and I highly recommend them.

By 1:30 I was unable to pretend that I couldn't hear the kids crying to come out of their cribs so we got up, ate a hearty lunch (see items listed during breakfast) and played some more until I decided we couldn't subsist on these items anymore and it was time to go to the store. The customers at Costco were treated to a not-so-rare display of Ben yelling for free samples, while those lucky enough to be at Safeway got to see me pushing their stroller while pulling a shopping cart. Of course, I got a ton of comments about what a great guy I was taking the kids by myself, how I had my hands full, and how lucky my wife was. Seriously...I hope you guys don't let your men get away with not doing this stuff because these people acted like they'd never seen a Dad take the kids out.

So here we are back at home eating the fancy cuisine I whipped up for dinner. What is it you ask? Grilled cheese and Minneolas. What are Minneoloas you ask...hell if I know. They apparently come from Peru and look like oranges and since I prefer my fruit to come from the Southern Hemisphere I decided to take a shot. Next up is bath time and bed by 9:00 followed by Daddy eating Drumsticks, watching the Olympics, and passing out with ice cream stains on his clothes.

If you've enjoyed this post then stay tuned for Day 2. I can't guarantee it'll be in real-time or be much different then today's, but I will do my best.

Say your prayers for Tuesday and JK...don't take any crap from Sharlene.