Lawrence Thomas

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.