I remember when I was in college or really any time prior to having children that I loved the weekend when we could turn back our clocks and get that extra hour of weekend. Whether it was an another 60minutes of zzz’s or another round at the local pub, it was a little bit of fun prior to the onset of winter for those of us north of the Mason-Dixon line.
Let me refer you back to the first line of this Daddy Diary that says “prior to having children.” Here’s what I did with my extra hour of “fun” this year.
5:07 am – I’m startled by 2 sets of eyes staring at me at my bedside. “Daddy, we’re not tired” says the 4year old ghost. My response, “go away.”
Shockingly, the ghost and his 6year old sister actually do go away.
5:11 am – They’ve returned. “Daddy, we did go away, but we’re back. Can I read Cooper a book?” says the 6 year old boomerang that has a knack of always returning to my bedside.” My response this time, “yes, that’s a terrific idea Delaney, how bout reading him ‘Gone with the Wind.’” She appears confused, but then again, my eyes are still not open and it’s 5:11 am on a Sunday!!!!
5:16 am – “Daddy, we’re done reading,” says the speed reading princess. “What? That book is over a thousand pages long. How did you finish so quickly?” says the sleep deprived king. “Well, Daddy, I’m in advanced reading and learning a lot,” says the now gloating princess. “Danielle, pull her out of school on Monday,” says the once proud, now very groggy king to his “still asleep” queen.
5:19 am – Dog is barking uncontrollably while chasing his tail. He’s doing this exactly 15 inches from the father’s pillow. Pillow now goes over the father’s face.
5:21 am – 2 minutes later, dog is still barking. The dad leaps out of bed and chases the 7 pound dog out of his room. Door slams shut. He crawls back into bed.
5:28 am – Door re-opens. “Dad, we’re hungry,” says the 40 pound 4-year old. “May we please have some breakfast?” “I will get you breakfast at 7am. When your clock says 7-0-0, I will make you breakfast,” says Chef Smith. The good chef closes his eyes.
5:30 am – “Daddy, our clock is not working. The battery is dead. Can you change the battery?” says the soon to be fatherless son. “Forget the clock for now. Go play, and I’ll come and get you for breakfast. I’ll make you whatever you want at 7-0-0. Deal? Deal!” says Monty Hall (former host of the game show “Let’s Make a Deal.”). The 2 contestants leave the parents bedroom and actually go play together.
5:35 am – The father is drifting, drifting, drifting and then
Bark! Bark! Bark!
The dog snuck back into the room when the daughter and son re-appeared during that last round of Let’s Make a Deal. The never-to-be-confused with the President of PETA falls out of bed, crawls to the door and opens it to let the dog out of his room.
5:44 am – All is quiet. REM begins again, when all of a sudden “Daddy (in a whisper), Daddy (growing louder), Daddy (at a voice volume used at 1pm)!!! “What? What happened? Is everyone alright? Are you hurt?” says our superhero. Laughing now, “Well, no Daddy, I’m not hurt. I cannot find one of my soccer socks, and I have a game today,” says our soccer star. “Your game is not for another 7 hours. We have plenty of time to find the sock” says the soccer star’s father. “But, Daddy, you said that I need to be ready for this game, that this is a big game.” “Did I say that? Well, sure it’s a big game, but getting dressed for a 115pm game at 540 in the morning might be a tad extreme. Go practice your ball skills downstairs,” says Coach Dad.
5:56 am – 12 minutes of peace. It’s the greatest 12 minutes since the 4th quarter of the NBA Finals Game 7 last summer; but then the yell. “Daddddddddy!” Bedroom door flies open. The little man is in the room, “Dadddddddy, I beat Delaney at Candyland” says the braggart. What? There’s that game again (see prior Daddy Diary). And, how did they finish it so quickly (again, see prior Daddy Diary for full explanation)? “Cooper, that’s great, but can you please let me rest just a little big longer?” pleads the insomniac. “Well, sure Dad, no problem,” replies the sleep depriver.
6:07 – The princess re-visits the castle. “Daddy, we’re not tired, we’re hungry, I’m excited for my game, and I really need to find my sock.”
I cannot wait till March when I’m gonna give that hour right back to them. It’s on!!!!
Sincerely,
Daddzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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