Baby Blues by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott for March 04, 2024

When Zoe was a baby, he came home really dragging after a bad day. Wanda asked him, “The usual?” And handed him Zoe. Guess I’ll always remember that one.

I guess having kids teaches you that it’s the little things (no pun intended) that matter.

I’ve carried both of my daughters on my shoulders. Those are some of the best memories I have.

Don’t be greedy Hammie!

This always made me feel really loved when I got home!

Loved my kids on my back/neck/whatever worked. When they got too big for it, we had a ceremonial last piggyback ride through the entire house until they were ready to get off. Then, it was over, and they had advanced to a new stage.

There was one exception to that. When one son was 18, he asked me to done something called a “Tough Mudder” with him. It involved a 12-mile run/walk through various obstacles. One of those was carrying a mother person 50 yards going down mountain. Someone took a picture of me carrying my son, and that sits framed on my desk.

Hammie wants to be next to have Zoe on his shoulders.

Our jobs are important but it’s best to just leave them at the workplace when the day is done. Getting a reception like this when you get home is the best rejuvenator in the world.

Shotgun!!!

A little appreciation from the kiddos goes a long way!

Dad is happy when she calls…

I always looked forward to time with my kids after work, before supper, after a day at work. If I had to work a 12+ hour day due to equipment breakdowns or annual outage maintenance and they were in bed by the time i got home, I took time to sit by their beds and caress their heads. One was a light sleeper and would usually wake up and give me a hug. Missed all that when the became tweens and grew past that stage.

I remember when my youngest was really, really young. As my wife was making dinner, he’d be in the car seat in the living room. He seemed to know when I was due to come home from work and keep looking towards the door in anticipation. When I actually arrived, he went crazy with a massive smile on his face and his arms waving up and down and wanting a hug. Absolutely made my day every time. He’s a teenager now. I’m now lucky if I get a “Whatsup!” and a nod.

Remember, “you can’t change the film with a kid on your back”

Darryl looks like Beaker the Muppet, especially panel 2.

3 sons & 3 grandsons proved quite therapeutic up there ( the youngest grandson & his little sisters were too small for it when the quack “surgeon” rendered that pastime past tense, d@mn his eyes).

My granddaughter likes to climb on my head. I mentioned that I did not think they could decide whether I was their toy or their pet. Her older sister said, “Toy.”

I was wrong, they HAD decided.

Need to let Hammie know that ends when kids get older.

It is a nice feeling isn’t Darryl?

Or in our laps with a book. So wonderful!

Sometimes all you need is a toddler to turn a meh day into a good day.

Aww, this is so adorable!

The girls are grown and out of the house. But the Pack and Clowder are still here. In fact I have a dog at my feet and a cat on my shoulder as I type this. All the cares of the day just vanish.

Angel up there now, don’t want the devil on the other shoulder.

Yes, sometimes a kid is enough to make your sulking day bright.