Z is very right: a 180 is needed here. Do nothing and go out with the kids while he is gone. And have lots of fun!

You had mentioned your parents were going to come for a visit: is it this weekend?

I saw that hurricane Isabel passed by VA beach: lucky that you guys did not put off the beach for a few days

"You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause it's banged up a little" Tom Smith in "Seabiscuit"