Happy Hour in my house is from 4 pm to 7 pm. But it’s not what you think. It’s actually better and it doesn’t cost me anything. I can have as much as I want, and nobody will kick me out at closing time or take my keys away from me. Oh, also, nobody is filming me so I can act crazy and not have to worry about being viral on the internet.
So, it’s the time when I get done with work to the time Niko goes to bed – on the weekdays. Niko gets home from school at 3:05 PM. From that time to 4 PM, it’s Nina and Niko time.
Then, BOOM! As soon as 4 pm hits, I logout and it’s Dad and Niko time. That is one of the best things about working from home as when I am done working, I am already home. I don’t have to drive for an hour or sometimes an hour and a half. I think since August when I resigned from Chase, I have only gotten three tanks of gas.
It always feels like I am rushing him as we have a lot of stuff to do. And, that stuff involves eating, playing, showering, and using the bathroom. Eventually, the last thing we do is relax and read in bed (he always gets Nina and I for that). Recently, he has been reading us books.
When we eat dinner, I hardly get a chance to sit down and eat as he constantly needs something, whether it be a refill on a drink or more food! Sometimes, he complains as I didn’t put enough parmesan cheese on his pasta. So, I say, then get out of your chair and get some more – you can do it all by yourself. Then, he ends up pouring half of the bottle in his pasta!
One time, we opened a new parmesan cheese and both of us sat on the sofa and sniffed it like two old men sitting on the front porch talking about the old times and laughing. Another time, he took the top off and started to eat it with a spoon. At that spoon one, I just laughed, and you know what happens when I laugh, he laughs but he always has to ask what’s so funny!
I also have another Happy Half Hour with him during the weekdays from 6:30 AM to 7 AM. It could start earlier if he wakes up before my alarm. I have to get him breakfast, get him to use the bathroom, get him dressed, get his lunch bag and drinks, get his eyeglasses, and I have to tell him a thousand times to stop playing with the cat! While he eats breakfast, I have a few minutes, so I always empty the dishwasher and leave a couple of cups out for Nina for her morning drink. Happy wife, happy life! She usually comes down around 7 AM and at 7:25 AM, we leave to drop him off at school. We are back home by 7:50 AM which gives me ten minutes before I have to login to work.
From 8 AM to 4 PM, I work and watch that clock as I am eager for Happy Hour to arrive. Then, BOOM! As soon as 4 pm hits, I logout and it’s Dad and Niko time.
