The problem with a traveling husband/dad

My husband has had to travel a lot in the last 3 years. We are hoping that this will slow down soon because of his recent promotion. However, the travel has caused some problems with the children...
Problem 1: Spencer likes to play with friends all afternoon, come home, have dinner and then watch TV before bed. When Daddy is home, we have to watch "Daddy shows" and no more "kid shows." Spencer just about has a meltdown on nights when Dave is home. He has even said, "Why aren't you leaving?" or "Why are you here?" So sad that he actually prefers to have his dad gone... (he doesn't prefer it, actually, he loves when Dave is home... he just really likes routine too and gets upset when it is disturbed)
Problem 2: Carter thinks that Dave works at the airport or on an airplane. This came from hearing me say, "Come say goodbye to Daddy, he has to go to work. Give Daddy hugs, he's going to the airport. Be safe on the aiplane, Daddy!" I can see how that would be confusing.
Problem 3: Miana thinks that every phone call is Daddy. When she is pretend playing, she calls Daddy on the phone. She thinks that it is the only way she can talk to him. This is one reason she loves the phone so much, Dave is her favorite person and for most of her life the speaker on the phone sounds mostly like Daddy...
Problem 4: I miss him when he's gone.

Only one more trip this year and then he'll hopefully be around a bit more next year...