Hallelujah to the single parents out there. . .

Tom’s been away at a board (bored?) meeting for 5 days and 4 nights. The kicker? He’s in Yosemite National Park. THAT’S where he’s “stuck” in meetings. I’m really glad for him. The weather has been beautiful down there for him and it’s prime waterfall season. It’s really amazing for him to get away for a little retreat/work. So, with Tom away, it means that I’ve been a “single” parent for these last days and nights. And, my hat’s off to you all. I don’t know how you do it without the support and tag-team efforts of two parents in the house. I just bow to you. My mom raised me essentially by herself and somehow in the process, she put me (and her) through private college (not to mention private preschool and elementary school until 4th grade), kept me fed, clothed and didn’t throttle me. . .not even when I stole stuff in middle school. She’s a pretty amazing woman: strong, independent, capable and sharp as a tack. It’s not every person that can do all that she did and is still doing. Huge hugs and high fives to her.

To keep ourselves busy while Daddy’s been away, Abby and I went out to a girl’s dinner at the new Asian restaurant in town. Somehow, I ended up ordering only deep fried food with sticky sweet sauce (egg rolls and lemon chicken). Abby was happy as a clam, but I felt like I needed a shower after I left!

We met up with other kids and their parents for playdates, I had Abby go to daycare for an extra day this week, and we (happily) found ourselves at the beach both yesterday and today. The sun has finally arrived. Coming home stuck with sand and seaweed is a good sign that a great day was had.

Putting Abby to bed tonight was challenging. She’s pushing my buttons and causing me to grit my teeth a lot while I get her one more drink of water, one more trip to the bathroom, one more stuffed animal, one more kiss, one more tuck, one more, one more, one more. But, through it all, I have the great pleasure of knowing that Tom gets home tomorrow. And, having an amazing partner is a luxury that I feel pretty darn lucky to have. I really cannot wait to have him back.