A Particularly Good Monday

Mondays get kind of a bad rap, at least among the regular work week folks. The freedom of the weekend has come to its inevitable end, and it's time to face the prospect that the next five days will be spent toiling away at the "job."

That's one of the great things about being an at-home parent. Monday just brings a return to the normal routine, and another opportunity to share some fun times with your kids (I'm an optimist).

This Monday had an auspicious beginning... the kids actually slept through the night. Now, they've been sleeping through the night since they were just a few months old, but lately they've taken to wandering into Mommy and Daddy's room in the wee hours of the morning. Not really sure why, but luckily, they're pretty good about going back to sleep once you put them back in bed. Still, it is nice to have an uninterrupted night of sleep.

After seeing Mommy off to work and eating our breakfast, the kids and I went to see a concert at a local park. A local city government sponsors a summer concert series for the kids and today was the last show of the season. We were treated to an excellent performance by Mr. Hyson, a local elementary school teacher with a wonderful gift for entertaining (as well as educating) kids.

Afterwards, we spent an hour or so at the playground (same park as the concert) where the kids enjoyed running around, sliding down slides, swinging on swings and the other assorted activities. Then, on the way back to the van, we were treated to a close encounter (but not too close) with a roaring, but slow moving, freight train. Then it was time to head back home for lunch, and a nap for our youngest.

Fed and rested, we were about to head out to the grocery store when Mommy called to say she was coming home a bit early. We made a quick change of plans, to take advantage of the unexpected Mommy time. Instead of making the grocery list and getting the shopping bags together, we turned the dining room into a painter's workshop. Mom and kids are now busy creating what will surely be masterpieces (whether on themselves or the paper remains to be seen). And, me? I get a chance to update the blog.

Later, I'm taking the kids out for a quick bite of dinner (my hard working wife has to stay home for a work-related conference call.... that's why she was home early). Then it's back home for a bath, bedtime stories and sleep (for the kids).

At 8:00pm, I'll be parked in front of the TV for... drumroll please... the start of football season!!! Yes, it's that time of year again, and my beloved Washington Redskins (and the Denver Broncos) kick-off the NFL season in the Hall of Fame Game this evening (airs on ABC; check your local listings). It's only a pre-season game, but it marks the return of the 'Skins legendary coach, Joe Gibbs. I'm really not all that much into sports in general, but I love the Redskins! As my dad used to say when I was little (and he probably still does), "we only root for two teams in this house: the Washington Redskins and whoever is playing the Dallas Cowboys!" Hail to the Redskins!

Yes, it's a particularly good Monday here at the Daily Yak. How was your day?