Dinner Party

Last night I had dinner with my kids. Not really newsworthy, but It was, if memory serves, the first time that I had dinner alone with my two kids. I cooked steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. As I was about to put the steaks on the grill, my wife called and said she was still and the office and that we should go ahead and eat.
It was the first time that it was just me and kids eating dinner together. We ate. We talked. We joked. We laughed. There was no whining. No yellng. It was a great feeling, having a nice meal. Maybe, because I have been working. (Yes, I sometimes get freelance work and have to go the office.) Well for the last month or so, I have been working and Grandma and Grandpa have been feeding the kids, since I don't get home to 6:30 p.m. Too late for the kids to eat. So I think that is what has me so struck by eating dinner with my kids.
Reagan, the competitive eater, of course finished first. Followed closely be me. As we waited for Tiernan to finish. Reagan and I played peek-a-boo and bang-a-tray. We laughed and smiled and enjoyed being with each other. Tiernan eventually finished and even helped me clean up (without making more of a mess) The whole meal was a happy experience for everybody. See what a little steak can do.