This afternoon, I am flying to Kansas City with Alden, Kato, and August. But no Robbi. Robbi is staying here to catch up on sleep, watch movies, and eat ice cream.

I’m usually cheerful at the prospect of doing things with all three of my children. But usually I have backup.

Something tells me this is going to be a long day.

If  you hold sway with the gods of children, please beg clemency on my behalf. Let them be good children, obedient children, calm children. Let Kato be still. Let Alden be angelic. Let August’s ears stay unplugged. Let planes run on time. Let weather behave.

Let Robbi’s internet crash in the middle of her movie so that she can feel one fraction of my pain. Let it come on again a few minutes later, of course.

Wish me luck.