just a idea for the kids when my DH went overseas when my kids were young after the drop off at the ship we would go home a make construction paper rings to make a garland and draped it down the hallway. each day they ripped one off.they would get really excited the last couple of weeks seeing it get smaller and smaller. for the last DH got to rip it off when he got home.What a great little celebration for them.it helped to have something they could see. Hope your time apart will pass quickly, god bless Sempi Fi