Tidy Husband

Eligible for the seniors discount and the Happy Meal deal at the same time.

  1. 3 Days to Takeoff

    The day started with the status update:

    white and pink analog alarm clock

    Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

    “3 more days”, she piped up from under the covers with just her feet with warm striped socks sticking out from the jumble of blankets and stuffed animals.

    She had a lot of questions about the school tonight - what do the uniforms look like they have to wear?1 What about the bell? 2do they have a bell?3 Also, when do I start? 4

    And how many planes am I going to be on? 5

    And, lots more questions. too many to list here, but for the most part we are ready. 2 days of school left for her here and then 2 months more in Argentina.

    I guess we’re ready as we’re going to be at this point other than pack the last of the clean clothes and double check passports and papers are with them when they leave. Tomorrow she has an after school activity and then thursday night she’ll be so excited she won’t sleep.

    But tonight. Tonight, we danced.

    And then she dried her hair and went to bed. It was a good dance show tonight with streamers. She told me she’s going to do this in the olympics, and then she changed her mind and said she was going to do every sport in the olympics.

    1

    dunno

    2

    also, don’t know.

    3

    yup, don’t know.

    4

    Tuesday, maybe.

    5

    Three

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  2. 4 Days to Takeoff

    About this trip to Argentina thing.

    blue and white striped flag

    Photo by Angelica Reyes on Unsplash

    On one hand - she’s excited and happy to go
    On the other ahd - she doesn’t want to leave Dad.

    I am the chosen one. It’s not like she doesn’t get along with BW, but if the child could pick one parent chances are it’s me. BW is okay with that because I am the one that needs to get up and navigate breakfast/clothing choices/schoolbus timing while she feigns sleep during all the commotion.

    She made “goodybye” cards for all her teachers last night and even I rated a card so she’s understanding that this is real and happening.

    This morning we had a minor bit of tears with 4 minutes to go for the schoolbus:

    ”DAD, I don’t want to go to Argentina”, I will miss you and I love you…”

    I told her that she won’t be missing much - my summer is now pizza, feed dog, uber, mow lawn. repeat. Then I told her that she’s going to have so much fun and she gets to go and learn a new language, make new friends and have an alsado every weekend with friends and family

    Also, she can call me anytime she wants and I will answer and she can tell me how much fun she has and I can tell her how much I miss her but am happy she is having a good time.

    The tears were short lived and we were actually early for the bus which is amazing because Dad slept in so if she missed the bus it would have totally been on me.

    Tonight after school, we tickled until she begged for mercy. She found a loom kit where you’re supposed to end up with a pot holder at the end but she’s not there yet. The attention/difficulty span is not there yet.

    Then we hand dinner and danced too Kelly Clarkson singing Christmas songs, of all things.

    In four more sleeps there will be a lot of apprehension and fun to be had for the two of them, but once I drop them off at the airport there will definitely be no Christmas song dancing in the living room.

    There might be some couch surfing in the living room to allow me to adjust to the family-free lifestyle. You know, just to close my eyes for a bit until I recover from the loss (and until the oven is pre-heated for the pizza)

    4 more sleeps.

    Until Next Time,

    TH and Co.

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  3. The Preparation

    The day is getting near and we’re all dealing in our own ways.

    a close up of a calendar on a table

    Photo by Road Ahead on Unsplash

    BW is busy packing and making lists and weighing suitcases.

    The child just wants to be sure her favorite stuffy gets packed

    Me? I’m staying home with the Dog.

    The reason for all this hand wringing and double checking of the passports is that on Friday morning, both mother and child are getting on an airplane and flying all the way to Argentina for 2.5 months.

    BW will be researching her new book.
    The child will be going to school and learning spanish by immersion
    My mother in law will be there to make sure those two behave.

    The dog and I? We’ll be ~~napping on the couch~~ working very hard at home on the honeydo list , ubering a lot and eating frozen pizza and cheerios.

    It will be great. For the first five minutes.

    And then I will miss them every minute of the day until they come home to me safe and sound where they belong - at home.

    But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for each cast member in the family to make this happen. Any other time or circumstance would not work as well and although the child was a little disappointed and apprehensive now she all over this idea as it’s super exciting and now she can’t wait to get on that airplane.

    But first, we have to get on that bus four more times this week.

    After that, she’ll be BW’s problem. :)

    I get the dog.

    Depending on the hour I am not sure who gets the better deal.

    Until Next Time,

    TH and Co.

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  4. The Night Before Mother's Day

    It’s the night before Mother’s day. This is waiting on BW’s pillow when she goes to bed tonight.

    To Mum:

    I love everything you do for me.

    Love, the child.

    A few things to note about this.

    1. We’re early.
    2. I am not sure what is holding on the little pieces of ribbon on the corners. I am afraid to guess.
    3. Ribbon and flowers were on the early Mother’s Day dessert we had tonight:

    First, tamales for dinner:

    And pink fancy cake for dessert:

    I wish I could take credit for this, but this was all BW when it comes to the planning.

    Me? I just do the dishes.

    Happy Mother’s Day Eve.

    Until Next Time,

    TH and Co.

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  5. The Lip

    It seems as we get older, bedtime isn’t really the problem any more.

    red and black heart shaped textile

    Photo by Kaja Reichardt on Unsplash

    It’s the mornings.

    It’s as if the child and I are in different time zones:

    Mine is: OMG the bus is around the corner and you are still in PJ’s?1

    Hers is: OMG will the old man leave me alone already? I just have to finish this puzzle first. I have priorities. Also, the dog is real interesting now.

    I was freaking out.

    The bus is scheduled to be here at 8:26. Mr. Dave, our friendly bus driver has the route down pat and is always 10 minutes early. at least.

    This morning’s timeline was:

    8:00 - Breakfast is over, let’s get rocking
    8:02 - I have her snack ready, shoes and bag and sweater at the door.
    8:04 - The child is doing a puzzle. I am having kittens.
    8:08 - I reminder her that the bus is coming so stop what you are doing and get dressed!8:10 - she talks back. I KNOW!! she screams as she gives me the evil eye and stomps up the stairs.

    I have to tell you guys, I did not see that coming. How could my little angel daughter super-child talk back to her Dad? I was crushed.

    And then I looked at the calendar: Oh, right. She is 7.342 years old. It’s time.

    And just like that I knew I was a parent

    It’s my job to push. It’s hers to push back.

    PS> Somehow we made the school bus. Don’t ask me how. I need therapy.

    1

    It’s never been that bad, but close.

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