If I were a drinking woman...

.... I think I'd have my father-in-law meet me at the airport on Thursday with something mixed up strong.

I'm flying with all four kids for the first time (and by myself, no less) and I'm not quite sure if I'm going to survive it. The last time I flew with the older three, I was 16 weeks pregnant, started spotting at the airport, and when we arrived on the other side, the people who were supposed to pick us up thought we were coming in the next day. It was not good times.

So I'm spending today and tomorrow trying to pack fun activity bags for the kids. Do I bring the DVD player or not (I only have one that works right now, and I'm thinking it would be helpful for Isaac, but might cause WWIII if Annie and Bryce saw it)? What can I pack that will be new and different enough to keep three highly-indulged kids quiet for the three hour flight? So far I know I'm going to have the iPod, and a new book for each big kid, and a pack of crayons and a pad of paper for everyone. Annie has also requested gum (bubble and mint) and m&ms for our 9am flight (whatever gets ya through it, right?). But after that, I'm at a loss. I hope to spend a little while scouring the aisles at Target and the Dollar Store tonight (sans kids).

A few weeks ago the Today show ran a segment about women who get together in the late afternoon for a glass of wine while their kids play. There was an uproar among people who thought these moms were being highly negligent. Although not a drinker myself, I don't really think one glass of wine at a neighbor's house is that big a deal, especially since I'm sure no one would point fingers at a dads supervising their kids while watching football and drinking a few beers. When I was pregnant with Annie, I even had my European-trained obstetrician suggest that I should have a glass of wine before my office visits because he thought it would help me be less nervous and anxious. But that's beside the point. I just know that in the absence of child-size sedatives, if I were a drinking girl I'd be ordering myself a glass of wine or two to get me through the flight on Thursday. It might even allow me to relax enough to read that in-flight magazine. As for supervising the kids-- isn't that what the flight attendants are for? (I'm kidding-- no rotten tomatoes, please). 

Instead, I'll be anxious and stone-cold sober, which, for the sake of the other passengers, will probably be a good thing.

--originally posted 3/6/07