Though it once seemed unlikely, the commotion and calamity of my daylong vigil has drawn to a whimper.

August is asleep in his bouncer, kept content by the perpetual pulse of my left foot.

As for Kato and Alden, it seems the day of terror has sapped them of all will to stay awake. And yet, even in slumber, they remain in defiant cahoots. Each child has his own bed, so you know, but when I went to check on them a while back, I found them still conspiring.

I put Alden back in her own bed, tucked her in, kissed her forehead. Twenty minutes later I went back for an inspection.

It seems, on this day, I’m just not going to win. I suppose I should find some comfort in the fact that this is unconscious rebellion.

Sweet dreams, my dears. It’s days like these that keep me coming back for more.