Did you get a restraining order when the sheriff came out? If not, go to court first thing in the morning and file for a domestic violence restraining order and ask for exclusive possession of the house and include the kids in it. And ask that it's a long-term one. And ask that he attend an anger management course. The fact that he assaulted you (and what he did is an assault) in front of the kids is not going to go well for him at all.

I am sorry that you are going through this.