Peaceful evenings?

I remember the evenings when the kids would go to bed early on school nights and I would fall asleep in front of the tv or reading a book. I think back at how peaceful our evenings were when the kids were younger and after they went to bed. I have been teasing Jason that I wanted him to go out-of-town for business so the kids and I could have cereal for dinner and I could have the house to myself in the evenings. WHAT?!
Jason left this afternoon for a few days. This entire day has been one thing after another....why would I think this evening would be any different. The second he left I started making dinner, then I had to leave to go get Cody from soccer practice. Came home, ate, cleaned up dinner and thought, I'm going to sit down for a few minutes. Yeah right! Not with an 8 year old in the house along with a new puppy! Sam kept begging me to do something or to watch a movie, the dog was running around yelping and chewing on anything and everything and the kids running after her yelling very loudly, "STOP" or "NO!". It is now 8:30. Peyton has Bella outside to go potty, Sam is upstairs reading and Cody is in his room doing homework. How long will the quiet last? Probably until Peyton comes back in with Bella, Sam is done with homework, or Cody decided he needs to come upstairs to chew on ice. I think I will go run a hot bath, put in some earplugs and let Calgon take me away!