March 3, 2008
home alone (with all the leftovers)
Wade is working late tonight, which he almost never does. This totally worked in my favor, because there were only enough leftovers from last night’s dinner for one person, and that person was ME.
(Broiled flank steak, roasted new potatoes, steamed broccoli, Italian bread. Mmmm delicious, both times.)
In the last week, I have made Cajun beans and rice (with sausage, even!) and cornbread, and baked chicken with couscous and peas. I’ve managed, totally on a fluke, to make enough for two meals every time I’ve cooked.
Tomorrow: chili! Woo!
But back to Wade working late: he never works late, if by “never” you understand me to mean “only rarely, and usually he’s not actually working but drinking beers with his boss after hours.” But tonight, he’s really working late, AND he went in early, which is a little sad, not only because he’s tired and he missed the steak (mmm, delicious) but because he didn’t see Charlie at all today, and a day without some Charlie Smooches is really like a day without sunshine.
Although we really didn’t have much of that today either.
Charlie came downstairs a while ago, asking sadly when Daddy was coming home. “When he’s done working,” I said, and he looked at me with those huge blue eyes. “Do you want to call him and say goodnight?” I asked. He nodded, and Henry — who cannot hear me when I am STANDING NEXT TO HIM asking him to stop jumping around — Henry called from his room, upstairs, “I want to talk to Dad! Can I talk to Dad?”
So we all trouped into the playroom and mashed into the rocking chair and called Daddy.
Both kids talked to Wade, which consisted mostly of Charlie holding the phone to his head and nodding and making little kitty cat noises (he still doesn’t get the whole TALKING part, although it’s awfully cute) and Henry saying, “Yeah, I had a good day. Yeah, you’re working, I know. Here’s Mom,” and sounding like he’s 50 years old, so matter-of-fact and calm. When I got on the phone with Wade, he said, “That’s so cute!”
And I said, “Yes, there has been much pining for Daddy tonight. You know, unlike when I go away.” He laughed but it’s true — when I leave town and call home, the conversation goes like this:
Me: Can I talk to the boys?
Wade: Who wants to talk to Mommy?
Charlie: NOT ME!
Henry: Mommy who?
Wade: They miss you.
Me: Riiiiight.
I swear to you. Just like that.
Posted by Susan @ 8:19 pm • home sweet home, those damn kids
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March 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm, Jenn @ Juggling Life Says:
It is so true that familiarity breeds contempt!
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm, Headless Mom Says:
I’ve had lots of non-conversations with my children when I’m gone. But Dad? They’re all over talking to him!
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm, Catherine Says:
When 2.5 yo A talks on the phone she has to give each ear equal play. So, you get the same conversation twice, once on each ear. I think she’s warming up for the teenage years when the phone will be stuck to her head. Or, maybe that was only her mother
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm, All Adither Says:
God that meal sounds good. Am sad it wasn’t mine.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:08 am, Heather B. Says:
I bet if you ever have houseguests that they would appreciate it you cooked for them or I don’t know, got them Mexican take out or took them to get cupcakes.
On second thought, I hope you don’t have any needy, pain in the ass houseguests. I am really sorry if you do.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:55 pm, Sue Says:
YUM! Dominos pizza here, where they call me by name (she says, shamefully).
I love when my kids are talking on the phone about something and they hold it up to the phone and say “See? Can you see it?”