My wife was out of town for 3 days and 2 nights (may as well have been 40 days and 40 nights - it sure felt like it).  I have a 2 year old (27 months to be precise), and I have to say, I have never appreciated my wife as much as I did over the last couple of days while she was gone.  It was a glimpse into the life of a single parent and I must say I take my hat off to you single moms and dads out there. 

Now, I'm no slouch at home; I do my fair share of chores and activities, but gee, golly, gosh, I missed my wife's organization and extra set of hands and ability to keep things running smoothly.  Having one 2 year old is quite the experience, I can't imagine what it's like with more than one.  From waking up in the morning to getting ready for daycare, to eating breakfast, to going to daycare, to picking up from daycare, to making dinner, to play-time, and to the biggest battle of bed-time ... phew! 

I also have to salute the couples who have stayed married and help each other raise their little "terrors".  To raise a toddler is the greatest team building exersize if ever there was one.  My dad once used a basketball analogy and  said to me that raising a single child requires the good old "double-team"; raising 2 children requires "one-on-one defence"; if you are lucky enough (or crazy enough depending on your outlook) to have 3, 4, 5 or 10 children, then you have to resort to the tried and tested "zone-defense". 

My wife's absense over the last couple of days really made me appreciate her.  I can only hope that when I go away the same is true.

The day my wife was coming back, I was getting my daughter ready for daycare and getting myself ready for work.  She threw a fit when she wanted me to wear white socks ...

with black shoes!