Any Ideas
Last Friday, the 4th of July, after my half-marathon my wife got the call that her grandmother died. We made arrangements and she flew from Portland to Pittsburgh that night on a red-eye. The difference between this trip and the last time she flew out is that this time I have the boys. There is one similarity between the trips however. I get bored without my wife. I know this may make me sound pathetic but she is the idea generator and I am the doer in our relationship. Obviously there are times when I have ideas and she obviously does a lot but generally this is how it works. I have no idea how to keep these two over-active pygmy marmosets entertained.
This evening I took the boys to get my wife’s birthday present, which is still 23 days away so I am ahead of the game by guy standards. I went to a store at a local upscale mall because I had an idea on what I would like to get her, which I won’t disclose yet because sometimes she reads my posts. I will however tell you that it is awesome. On a scale from 1-10 of awesome birthday gifts with 1 being doughnuts and ten being a diamond ring it ranks at about Macho Man, who would obviously be 12. When I got to the store I walked up to the display of Macho Man birthday gifts and froze. I was completely overwhelmed. I was so overwhelmed that when the sales associate asked me if I need any help I’m pretty sure what came out of my mouth was, “I need good… Can you tell me… I think I would like to mfmdphphph… Come on kids we’re leaving.”
After we left Macho Man Inc we drove home but I still couldn’t think of anything to do with the boys, and they were strapped in, so we kept driving around the neighborhood. After the third time circumnavigating the community, once I started getting strange looks from the neighbors like I was casing their houses, we went home and my oldest and I drew with sidewalk chalk while my youngest ate it.
I need help. I need to know what to do with my kids in the evenings. I need to know how to not get too overwhelmed when I make another attempt at birthday shopping tomorrow. I need my wife to come home.
Nicole Cummings said,
Wrote on July 8, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
These things take time my friend. I do sympathise with you Ben, but I’ve got problems of my own. In fact Matt is leaving on Friday for 11 days to El Salvador, leaving me with who we have lovingly nicknamed “pinyata boy” due to his being in a full body cast with a stick included. You will get through this just like I will get through this. One hour at a time. Don’t think about tomorrow, for it has enough worries of its own. Just get through breakfast, and then lunch and then dinner and then bed time. Each of these are small but important victories for the primary caretaker of any preschool aged child. I find it helpful after the kids have gone down for the night to curl up into a fetal position and suck my thumb rocking myself gently to sleep while watching a veggie tale movie. Works every time.
Ashlee said,
Wrote on July 9, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Call Jolene. That always works for me;)
Whaddya get me?
Miss you tons!!!!
Rivky said,
Wrote on July 9, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Well first of all I give you my sympathies! Next you got stay chilled order some arts and crafts from http://www.economyhandicrafts.com! My kids love it I let them do theses crafts on rainy days! Next go online when your kids are in bed and shop for a present! They have loads of great sites! If you want I can give you sites for good presents! Does she want a digital video camera, jewelry, or new piece of furniture? Let me know and I’ll give you a site to check out! Good Luck and stay calm!!