Last week was Spring Break here in Austin, TX. For me that usually meant working more shifts to make extra cash from the South by Southwest festival people who flooded the streets of downtown Austin and the surrounding clubs and restaurants. One year when I was much younger, unmarried and without kids, some friends and I made the rite of passage trip to South Padre Island. Those days, however, are just a distant memory now that we have two children and many more responsibilities.

Then came Spring Break 2008! As most of you probably know, we here at Quirkee Media and our friends from Quack!Media co-hosted a party on 6^th Street last Thursday (Image Gallery ). The day before is when my kids went to my parents' house for the weekend. This was the first time ever that we have both been away from our kids at the same time. I had visions of them waking up in the middle of the night screaming, "Mama! Daddy!" Of course, that never happened. My parents informed us that they slept all through the nights without any trouble.

I went five days without changing one poopy diaper, breaking up a fight, or putting anybody in time-out for back talk. Nobody pitched a fit about what's for dinner and not getting dessert because dinner was not eaten. I even went almost an entire week without using the words "chicken nuggets." I never had to clean up barf when my daughter shoved too much food in her mouth, and not once did I have to watch my son run and hide when she gagged. He does not care to watch his little sister upchuck her food. I can't say that I blame him, but if he is going to be a paramedic when he grows up he had better get used to some vomit now and then.

The weekend went by and I realized that I had not stubbed my toe or impaled my foot on random toys scattered across the house. And not once did I have to try and convince my children that picking up their toys was a fun game for them, which they never really believe.

What I did miss during Spring Break 2008 when the kids were gone were the hugs, the kisses, the "sweet dreams" from them at bedtime followed by "I love you, too", and the 3:00am bathroom routine my son has when he sneaks into our bed to sleep the rest of the night. I missed watching them play, seeing them act silly, and taking their pictures when they laugh.

Overall it was a great weekend and I'm thankful to my parents for offering to have them come stay at their house. My wife and I got to spend time with old friends, watch some great bands and hilarious comedians, eat yummy food, and enjoy adult beverages while staying up late, sleeping even later, and listening to not-suitable-for-kids music at whatever sound level we chose. I got in a round of golf with a couple of those old friends and even birdied the last hole, which is rare if you know anything about my golf game. But now life is back to normal. The daily routines are here again, the toys are scattered everywhere, time-out is back, the music is kid-friendly most of the day, and I'm pretty sure I'm cooking chicken nuggets for dinner tonight. It's a life that I enjoy.

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