[This is a tale that stretches my ability to improvise. Today’s tale is in the Chronicle, but their web site is currently down. Obviously, I can’t leave you guys with nothing but an excuse to carry you through the weekend, so… here goes.] 

My productivity these days has taken a real hit. The problem, as you might imagine, is the kids. My typical schedule is (was) to get up at 6, grab a quick shower, and head upstairs to work on the computer.  I’d work until eight or so, and then come down to fix my breakfast and get in some family time. Then I’d be off to work at the office until 5(ish). I’d come home, have family time until they all went to bed, and then come back up to the computer.

It was a rather demanding schedule, but it worked for me.

A couple months ago, however, I slept in. At about seven o’clock, the kids came running into our bedroom and jumped up on the bed. We laughed and played and watched cartoons until seven thirty (ish) and then I got them dressed and went upstairs to try to fit some work in. That rapidly turned into a regular routine.

You see the problem? I love that morning time with them and it’s tough to skip out on it. To make things worse, J has taken to walking the dogs during that time, leaving me to solo the kids.

My schedule has been hijacked by cute kids and an opportunistic wife.

The other day, when the kids came running in, N’s hair was all sticking up. It was the worse case of bedhead I’d seen in a while, so I told him: “You have bedhead!”

He looked confused. “What?”

“You have bedhead,” I said. “Your hair’s pointing in all different directions and looks funny. It’s cause you were lying on it. You have bedhead.”

He digested this explanation and then shook his head. “No. It’s blue,” he said.

That stumped me.

“A little bit blue?” he asked.

Fortunately, his brother saved me from my confusion. He hit me in the face with a pillow.

I love the mornings.