life as a (temporary) single parent

Last Saturday Jake left for Dallas for 4 days.  Even though it was for work it still seemed like it was payback for me being gone for 4 days two weeks prior.  We were each forced into life as a single parent.  I called Jake one day while I was gone to see how things were going and as soon as he picked up the phone I heard both kids screaming and both dogs barking in the background.  I didn't even need to ask!  But, he survived and in the end I think that they had an OK week.  It's good for everyone to have them spend that time together without me and for the kids to only have Daddy to go to for a little while. 

While Jake was gone, the kids and I had a good weekend.  We stayed busy, they helped Mommy clean and shop and got to play at Grandma's house for a while.  Now, last year after Harper was born I was a single parent 5 days a week while Jake was in Bismarck working and I can honestly say that I do not know if it was more difficult to be alone now with the kids being a toddler and a preschooler than it was with a toddler and an infant.  Although it does give me great personal satisfaction to know that I can handle things (and by things I mean kids, dogs, work, busy mornings, cleaning house, etc) on my own, those 4 days made me so incredibly grateful that I don't have to do it all on my own. 



Look Mom...we found a fun new hiding place at Grandma's house!



 

She really is 15 months going on 15.  I can't believe how old she looks in this picture!