School's Out Day 14: A Trip to Toys R' Us

Let's face it, everyone needs a break from their kids once in awhile. I am with my kids from the minute they wake up until the minute they go to bed for days and days on end. Tonight around 6PM I was starting to get antsy and said to my husband, "I need to get out for a little while." He rolls his eyes...."OK DEEEAAAAR".....(his endearing -- yet patronizing -- word for me). He just doesn't get it! He has no clue how much quicker and easier it is to food shop, go to the mall, run an errand, do ANYTHING at all -- you-name-it, without toting the two kids around. And, although he wouldn't admit it, I know he thinks it's easier being home with them than working. So....I leave -- and I only have one hour (because HE has hockey to go to- his guaranteed weekly recluse)....and where do I go? NOT for a mani/pedi, NOT to the mall, NOT to the Barnes and Noble to peruse, NOT for a drink with friends.....I go to TOYS R' US!!!!! Why? Because when else will I shop for both their b-day presents without them with me? So I shop around, still a bit disgruntled, but even that break made me feel a bit more human. Ok, so I come back 60 minutes later...open the door (to a mess in the kitchen from dinner and bath toys, towels etc all over the bathroom) and here he comes charging down the hall, "THESE KIDS!!!!!" He's talking a mile a minute - "Right after you left Maddy was in the play room, she took her diaper off and came walking out saying 'poo-poo tucka, poo-poo tucka' and she had her diaper in her hand and poop all over her and poop got on me and my shirt..."blah blah blah. He's all flustered....as he's talking, I can see Maddy...she slides off our bed where she was watching TV and walks into Ava's room...he finishes his rampage and walks into our room to give Maddy her milk...only she's not there. He throws his hands-up in disgust "NOW WHERE IS SHE!?!?!? MADDDDDDDDDDY!!!!!" he yells loud and long - down the hall as if she were lost in the woods. I'm a big fan of getting my point across, so I let him look around frantically for a few minutes (come on, you know you would have too) and then I got Maddy (while grinning to myself of course). So, as it turns out, my trip to Toys R' Us was totally worthwhile. As a matter of fact, I think I would have my eyeballs poked with needles for 60 minutes every week if it meant he could get just a glimpse of my daily life. ;)