Yesterday was a busy day. I left the house before 7AM and didn't get back until almost 9PM. As a result, I didn't see the girls at all, except when I peered into their rooms to catch a glimpse of their peaceful slumber before I went to bed myself. Since I left again this morning before they were awake, by the time I got home this afternoon I hadn't really seen them for nearly 36 hours. I was excited to be home and, as with most weekdays for the past few months, I arrived just in time for my wife to leave for work. As we exchanged hellos and goodbyes, she gave me a quick "state of the house":
- Kaitlyn was wearing big girl panties and went potty all day on the toilet like a big girl.
- Could you please clean and fill the dog's water dish (like I asked you to do last week)?
Not quite an hour later I was watching a YouTube video about Bob Hope. It was a happy, lighthearted clip. The toddler was kneeling in the chair next to me, leaning against the table. With every new face that appeared on the screen, she wanted to know who it was. "Bob Hope. Barbara Walters. That's Bob Hope again," etc. Suddenly I heard a dripping sound, followed by a small reluctant voice saying "daddy, I need to go pawwwty." Not three minutes prior I had asked her, "do you have to go potty?" and the answer was not simply "no" but "NO!" Feeling less light hearted, it was time for phrase Number 1.
I sent the half naked toddler upstairs to get some new pants while I cleaned up the mess. Why can't she ever pee on the tile? After about five minutes she wasn't back yet. I went up to investigate. She was in the closet with the door closed. I uttered phrase Number 4, followed by "Are you KIDDING ME?!"
I would like to say I remained calm, but we were hurtling towards a Number 6.
A little while later, with fresh diapers, both girls were playing together in the play room. I decided to check on them and discovered they migrated to the laundry room. Kaitlyn was getting the dog more food and Alyssa was eating it...again.
It's So Nice When Kaitlyn Feeds The Dog
Did I mention that in between cleaning up the pee on the carpet and discovering the toddler in the closet I cleaned out and refilled the dog's water bowl? Number 7? Anyone?
I just love these evenings I get to spend relaxing with my girls.