Mr. Mom

A few people have asked me how Kyle survived his first Mommy-less week with the kids. Let me just say he did great! This is the first time I've ever gone out of town alone and left him with the kids. He was a little nervous about it, but the kids had a fabulous time with him.

I just laughed when he asked me, "So, what exactly am I supposed to do with them all day?"

It was then that I decided to share my mothering philosophy with him. "Do one or two things a day that will make the kids REALLY tired."

So I scheduled a few play dates for Janelle, made sure he had the swimming lessons schedule, signed J up for a cooking class and then left him with a few suggestions of things they could do throughout the week. By the time I got back his consensus was,

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

But then when I asked him if he'd like to switch roles and stay home with them and I'd go to work, he just laughed at me. That's alright, I prefer my job as mommy right now anyway.

Kyle even managed to take the camera with him to a few places he took the kids too. I have to tell you, I was pretty impressed!

They made it to the library...

...and even got to chill with the library statues on this bench...

...and splash in the fountains!

Daddy also braved the mall all by himself (something I don't even usually do!).

They took a picnic to eat in the food court and then shared some lemonade and a pretzel.

Daddy also let them each pick out one toy at the Disney Store.

Wall-E and Ariel were the picks of the day.

And because the kids weren't spoiled enough, he even let them ride the carousel.

Other highlights of the week consisted of...

• swimming everyday
• going to Peter Piper Pizza
• reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
• the Hannah Montana concert on the Disney Channel
• and a trip to McDonald's

Apparently the hardest part of the week was trying to put Janelle's hair in a pony tail. I guess fixing hair is a characteristic only found on female DNA, because Kyle could not get the hang of that. That's alright. Janelle did a pretty good job fixing her own hair!

Kyle promised me he made the kids eat vegetables every day and when I asked how they behaved he said Janelle was an angel. He didn't have a single problem with her. Spencer was his usual two-year-old self, but mostly good too. So of course just a couple of hours after I get home on Friday Janelle throws her first fit of the week. I was so happy she saved it for me. :) And Spencer only wanted Daddy most of the day Friday. (I wasn't offended at all, it actually made me laugh!)

I'm so grateful to Kyle for doing this for me. He did an amazing job. The living room was even vacuumed when I walked in the door! My kids have the best daddy!

I had such a fun time and have since realized that it was a trip I didn't know that I needed! I think we'll just have to do it again!

(Don't worry, honey, not anytime soon.)