Month: January 2009

Saturday Report

Well, I made it through another Saturday.? I decided to go with the National Building Museum, which as it turns out is one of DC’s hidden gems for occupying little kids.? There really isn’t anything special in terms of exhibits.? But there is a huge open space and a kid play area called the Building Zone.

We started our day with some play dough at the kitchen table.? An activity that can only be done when SuburbanMommy isn’t home.? Sure, it gets a little messy, but they actually sat in one place for, like, 30 minutes. Continue reading Saturday Report

Brutal Honesty

If you want an honest answer, ask a kid.? You will always get the brutal truth.? Often without asking for it.

This conversation took place when I picked the kids up at preschool.? I had just gotten my hair cut.

Thing 2: Why did you get your hair cut?

SuburbanDaddy: Because it was getting too long

Thing 2: Why do you have so much gray hair?

When my hair is short, apparently the gray is more prominent.? I think we all know the 3 sources of my rapidly graying hair.

Then we went to Thing 1’s classroom.? He immediately started to laugh.

SuburbanDaddy: Why are you laughing?

Thing 1: You look like a chicken!

Next time I’ll have to consult with them before getting my hair cut.? You’ve got to love their honesty.

Saturday Is Coming

It’s Monday, but I’m already thinking about Saturday.? No, not because I’m looking forward to the week ending.? I’m trying to think what I can do with the 3 Things all day.

SuburbanMommy started a new job after new years that requires she work on Saturdays through the end of February.? That means it’s me with three little kids all day.

It’s not that I’m one of those stereotype dads who is lost when left alone with his kids.? It’s just that, until now, we’ve always worked as a team on weekends.? We’ve got the two-on-three zone defense down pat.? We either all go together, or we split up the kids – divide and conquer.? We minimize the time it’s three on one, and things ran smoothly for the most part.

I’m now three Saturdays into this new arrangement.? How’s it going?? Continue reading Saturday Is Coming

Short Order Cooking

When I got home today with the Things, it was almost 6:30.? This is the most hectic part of the day for us that I don’t look forward to.? Tired and hungry kids.? Tired and hungry parents.? Usually, SuburbanMommy gets home first to get their dinner ready (and open a bottle of wine), but tonight we got there first.

Sometimes in these situations I’ll order a pizza as we’re driving home so it gets there around the same time.? Or we’ll go through a McDonald’s drive thru.

I know, I’m a terrible parent for giving them fast food.? But we do get the apple slices…and chocolate milk still has milk in it, right?

Tonight, I didn’t feel like pizza or fast food.? And the last thing I wanted to deal with was trying to cook amid that chaos.? So I let the Things choose what they wanted to eat.? They actually ended up eating more than usual, probably because they chose it. ? Here what was on the menu:

Thing 1
* 2 blueberry pancakes (frozen, prepared in microwave)
* corn and peas

Thing 2
* 1 strawberry
* leftover mac & cheese
* 1 blueberry pancake
* fruit loops, no milk

Thing 3
* goldfish crackers
* watermelon
* fruit loops

More Chocolate Intoxication

I’ve already posted about the intoxicating effect Oreos have on my kids.? Well, today I encountered another substance with the same potency: hot chocolate.

SuburbanMommy was kind enough to load Thing 1 and Thing 2 up on hot chocolate, then leave the house with Thing 3.? I tried to play a game of Candy Land with them, but the game broke down when someone reached the part of the board with Gloppy.? In case you haven’t played Candy Land in a while, Gloppy is the chocolate monster near the finish line.

This video was taken a few minutes after the hysterics over Gloppy.? Hysterics which included Thing 2 laughing so hard, he literally peed his pants.? The playing cards are for a game of Go Fish we started, but we kept getting sidetracked by Gloppy.? I got the video camera and asked to get all their “sillies” out so we could continue the game.