Ideas for the wife...

This might not be her thing if she likes simplicity but...I bought my husband an iPad as a gift for his tireless support.  He loved it and has been glued to it ever since

Otherwise, if she has any specific hobbies - something related to those personal interests would go over well.

Good luck!  Iron spouses are the best!

This might not be her thing if she likes simplicity but...I bought my husband an iPad as a gift for his tireless support.  He loved it and has been glued to it ever since

Otherwise, if she has any specific hobbies - something related to those personal interests would go over well.

Good luck!  Iron spouses are the best!

Does she have anything she likes to do that you don't like to do?  Or any interests that don't interest you?  For example, my husband once took me to the US figure skating championships.  I LOVE to watch figure skating.  This is something he never does with me- except for that time. That was the most loving thing he could have ever done.

Or maybe let her get away with a girlfriend, and offer to watch the kids all weekend (providing they're still young and need watching).

X2  Something you avoid whenever you possibly can or don't do at all but that she enjoys would carry the most weight.

for me that always works.  I HATE birding.  My partner is big time into it.  The weekend after my last HIM, which she flew out to be with me cause she knew I wanted her to (and there were new birds to see) I made the next weekend all about her.  I drove to where she wanted to bird, I lamely walked beside her pointing out birds and not complaining.  Then the next day she wanted to bike along a MUP.  So I biked her speed and patiently biked around all those people without complaining.  Just give her a weekend or so of doing exactly what she likes to do with no complaints.  Note, it helps to do it throughout the training cycle from time to time as well.  I would some times alter my training cycle to take a day off and just do whatever she wanted to do. 

An entire date day: Wrap it all up in a basket! 

Gift certificate for cuteness(nails, hair, and massage), you take care of the kids while she goes

YOU arrange a babysitter for the night

Buy her an outfit that she'd liked and turns you on (all women like to get a cute/sexy pair of match bra and panties too)

YOU make dinner reservations, and purchases tickets to a play, concert, event

And at the right time thank her and tell her how much you LOVE her.......

It would work for me!!!

Bonus if you have the house clean so when she gets home, the house is spotless!!! 

i like this general idea, adjust for her personality/interests (some women don't do the spa thing but may like a craft lesson or cooking class or some such thing).  pay back her sacrificing her time with you with 100% of your time and attention. 

i'd also consider a daddy/kids day, because i'm guessing you are missing out on a lot of quality time with your kiddos.  take them to the zoo or a ball game or a water park and again, just give back all the time you took away. <-- i only said this cause cheri mentioned a babysitter --- not an issue maybe?

and good for you to even start thinking of this now

Buy her a nice vacuum cleaner.

My wife wanted a girls weekend in San Diego after I finished IMSG, and that is exactly what she got.  I made sure I could get the time off work to take care of our kids, she left with plenty of cash to blow on whatever she wanted, and I didn't call her once while she was away.  I supported her request to have time away from the house with her friends and that worked for her.  She stayed on the beach, went surfing, ate sushi, and relaxed with her buddies.  For what it is worth, I also followed the advice of the ladies in the thread and made sure the house was spotless when she came home.  Just be super supportive of whatever she might want/need.  You are a good guy for recognizing this and I believe it will go a long way in her continued support of you racing. 

This and a 4 slice toaster should be solid.  Otherwise she is high maintenance.

In all seriousness, I like the idea of buying her a weekend day for her and a girlfriend provided it is in the budget.  No need to go crazy and strain the finances and come back to argue about finances. 

I would suggest making sure that you to things while training to show and tell her you appreciate her and the sacrifice she is making for you to accomplish your goals. 

In my experience, diamonds never disappoint. 

my wife would appreciate laundry done for a week.  one of those tasks that only she does that I never do

Booked a 7 night cruise for the weekend after IMFL. A little easier for me because we live in SW Florida so I can drive to the port.  But, it was great.  She loves to cruise as do I but we also got to spend a week with just each other (didn't notice the 1,500 other people). Had a great time!

enjoy,

Duane

So I've boiled it down to two options...yes I know she would love to spend time with me but...I know she would love these two other things just as much...if not more.

1) She's a photographer (and LOVES it) and we have a famous photographer in the area who does training sessions (if we can call them that) for a LARGE fee...lol.  That's something she would eat up because she's always wanting to learn more.

2) Surprise her with a trip to NYC for a day with a girlfriend.  Have the friend arrive at the house in the wee hours of the morning and catch the train down.  Give her a gift card for $xxx dollars and tell her she can spend it how she wants.  But there will also be broadway tickets to some show that's playing.  She's never been to a show and has expressed interest in seeing one at some point in her life.

______________

While one of these is going on, I'm going to send the boys to my parents and clean the house so it looks like the top of the Chrysler building when she gets home, laundry will be done, etc.

Yay? Nay?

As a photographer I would totally go for the first choice! They both sound great, but for me I would love a session with a pro!  I think she will love whichever you choose, but especially the house cleaning!!!