Lawrence Thomas

It has been awhile since I have hit a coffee shop to do some writing. I like to get out of the house from time to time for a little peace and quite to do some writing. After my writers group meeting, I held back and wrote for a couple of hours. I get a lot accomplished in the 2 or 3 hours I spend their every couple of weeks or so.

Unfortunately, driking cofee until 10:30pm doesn’t bode well for getting any sleep, and I tossed and turned for a few hours before finally fading into dreamland. Surprisingly enough, I was actually on the go all day and it wasn’t until Eva walked in the door, that my body finally broke down and I couldn’t do much more. About all I had energy for was making bottles and sippy cups and taking the dog for a walk - and a couple of quick blog posts as you can see.

It was another great day today. The weather has been amazing. The day started at 6:30am again. Every morning has been unique. I do really enjoy the 6:30 to 7 time slot for family time. Baby snuggles, big girl hugs and puppy belly rubs.

We were supposed to have another interview this evening, so I cleaned like a madman all day, including cutting the grass. I couldn’t believe what I was able to accomplish today, as well as keeping up with what was going on with our bid for the NHL in Hamilton today in US bankruptcy court.  Other than a minor, yet painful run in with a weed whaper this afternoon, the day was fun.

The kids went for a swim in the pool again today, and we even tried to have a picnic in the backyard but the bees were all over poor Abby again. Buggers!

Eva called around 4 to tell me the woman had cancelled the interview for this evening, but I had finished everything - including the laundry by that point so all was good.

I really don’t know how stay at home mom’s keep up this pace? I am exhausted and I am only three days into this. I am sure getting a routine going helps, but I am going to hopefully fall into a very deep sleep in about 15 minutes. I am exhausted!

I thanked the girls for a very fun day, and Emma said I was welcome. What a cutie! I can’t believe their are only two days left.

By the time Abby woke from her morning nap, I had everything ready for our bus trip down the road to visit Papa (aka my dad).

Emma loves bus trips and from our first time all on the bus together, I can see Abby does too. Abby just loves to people watch and she smiles at everyone.  The ride to downtown was absolutely packed, but we arrived at the hot dog cart no worse for the wear.

Papa was surprised to see us, although he thought the kiddies might venture down his way for a visit.  My father had time on and off between customers, to sit with us while the three of us had our hot dogs. Dad and his brother (my Uncle Brian), had already had lunch together so he just watched the girls enjoying Papa’s famous hot dogs. There was even homemade banana bread to top off our street meat meal.

The bees weren’t quite as bad today, but Emma helped me guard Papa’s pop from buzzing intruders.

We probably visited about an hour, before we made our return trip. We stopped off at the bakery on the way home to order buns for Emma’s party and our 2nd Annual Labour Day bash. We are expecting around 60ish again this year so there are a million things going on this week.

Abby took a little bit to settle, and I lied with Emma a bit until she fell asleep…Turns out, I was the one that fell asleep. I must have dozed off for about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours, but man it felt great.

Well, I was nice and refreshed and ready to tackle the world, but baby Abby had another adventure in mind for her daddy. Payback for taking a nap instead of cleaning the house.

I went in to the girls room to bring Abby downstairs, and by the smell, I thought the cats we are watching for a couple of months had messed somewhere in the kids room. Then I noticed a partially naked baby and well, without getting all graphic on this blog, I’ll just say that doodie called. Yuck! And the diaper was just like new as well. I’m duck-taping those suckers on from now on.
I ran Abby downstairs straight into the tub, rinsed her off, while I was at it, I made a bubble bath. The girls were sparkling clean when their mom arrived home.  I even had the clothes and sheets rinsed off and in the wash. All in a days work.

Unfortunately for Eva, I had my first writers group meeting last night for the new season, so dinner wasn’t quite finished when I had to leave. It was pretty close though so there wasn’t too much damage done from that stolen nap. Other than an extra load of laundry.

Well, I had planned on getting up early enough to take the dog for a walk before my wife left me alone with these two monsters (I mean, er, cute little girls), but this insomnia kept me awake until almost 1am. Not a good way to start Daddy Daycare week - already tired before I opened my eyes on day 1. In fact, I didn’t even get a shower before my wife plopped the baby beside me, plugged her with a bottle, and said goodbye and good luck.

Here goes nothing.

Well, it’s 30 minutes to lunchtime, and daddy managed to sneak in a quick shower with the kids locked in the living room, made scrambled eggs, pancake hash browns and mini-bagels, had a tea party, got the kids dressed, found a wet spot on the floor, then a wet spot on the baby’s arm, changed the baby again, packed a diaper bag, some snacks, the dog, and the double stroller just in case my three year old grew tired of walking, and we headed out for our first adventure of the week. With the weather we have had this summer, I couldn’t pass up the chance at this sunshine.

We made our way to the Tim Horton’s on Ottawa Street no worse from the wear, other than a sore arm from the dog pulling me. We loaded our buggy with a large regular, double-cupped coffee, and a small pack of Timbits, the baby had a bottle, Emma and the dog had some water, and I took a sip of my coffee, and we were on our way back home.

We found a park on the way back, so I thought it would be nice to find a shady spot for the dog, let the kids run around the playground, and relax for a moment and enjoy my coffee.

Well, Emma had fun, the dog was the benefactor to some loving from all the kids running around, but poor Abby was being attacked by bees. Turns out, honey dipped donuts and the park are not a good idea. Actually, the other mother had also brought Timbits for her bunch, so needless to say memories of my childhood and being chased by a nest full of Yellow Jackets came flooding back.

They were everywhere! On my baby’s hands and face and legs. The dog was trying to eat them and I was trying to figure out what to do to the box.  I tossed a couple donuts on the ground, but I didn’t want to throw them all out after getting the kids all excited for Timbits, so I left the box on the picnic table and ran back every couple of minutes to grab a chocolate one for Emma.

I found some baby wipes and cleaned the baby all up, but then I noticed they were also all over our sticky stroller. The other mother had already wisely packed up her kids and ran for the hills. I was faced with the upset of no Timbits and leaving the park earlier than anticipated.

Luckily for me though, Emma understood that we had to leave (with a little persuasion), and we made our way. Not before how ever, I left my empty donut box in the park after realizing there wasn’t a garbage can in the park area and I had had enough of being attacked by those relentless bees. Believe me, I felt bad about it.

To make matters worse, the big kid was now faced with a few tag along bees that were after my coffee. No sooner had we crossed the road, when I finally lost it and threw my coffee on the street. I wasn’t proud of that moment, but by that point I had had enough. I’ll go to the park later and make up for it I promise.

Okay, now that confession time is over, the rest of the trip was good. A few more moments with the dog pulling my arm off, but other than that, Emma made the whole trip on foot, Abby fell asleep somewhere between the park and home, and now Emma is reading a book, the dog is passed out on the floor, and Emma is reading a book.

Now to just clean up the morning toy playing session. How do two kids make so much mess? Never mind the kids though. Look at the kitchen! How does one adult make so much mess?

Well, I almost survied the first morning. 8 minutes to go. A little water on the floor and on the baby, a few more teeth marks in the kids toys, and a brief run in with some bees. Not a bad day so far.