Here we go again

John is gone on a business trip until Thursday, and in case you aren't counting, that's 3 nights. I know to some, this may seem like a minor inconvenience, but to Lauren, it is MAJOR! "Is daddy on his way home? How 'bout now? Now? Now?" and I have to repeat to her how long it will be until he gets home. It's little consolation that when he gets home on Thursday night, he will be spending one night here, and then we are leaving for our beach (in Michigan, on the BIG lake) vacation and that alone is enough to send her into a Tazmanian devil-like swirling fit of excitement. But, without daddy home to watch The Simpson's and eat microwave popcorn with, the beach is only slightly comforting. We are packing (repacking actually), cleaning, straightening up, etc. so we have a somewhat clean home to return to. Wish us luck. It may be a L-O-N-G week...