What I do FG is I don't tell the kids until h is on his way or something like that. I just make plans for the day and then it's a bonus if h joins us.
I have less of these issues now, but before I had to always say well dad won't be joining us and that gets old, so now I have learned not to say anything until h is on his way and then say hey kids dads on his way and will be coming along.
That way h is NOT a dissapointment to the kids only to me.
Me 50 H 42 S 22 S 9 D 7 M 12 T 17 H moved out 8/2006 H moved home 1/2007 for 3 weeks H moved home 5/2011 for good
"Learn from yesterday ~ Live for today ~ And hope for tomorrow"