I leave for France in about 12 hours. Eric is already over there with one of his university classes, so lucky me gets to bring all three kids over by myself.

I've prepared myself well this year. After Zari and Dio picked out backpacks at a thrift store, I loaded them full of snacks, toys, activities, and an extra change of clothes. I'll be carrying a small backpack, an umbrella stroller, and an Ergo. And Inga too!

This past week of solo parenting has been really hard on me. I put in a huge garden, probably 700 square feet. On top of packing and getting the house ready to leave for a month, I had final research papers to grade (I still haven't finished--guess what I'll be doing on the plane?). I haven't been sleeping well, either.

Last time I brought kids over to France on my own, Dio was 12 months and Zari was 3 1/2. I couldn't go anywhere without both of them coming along. Not even to the bathroom during the flight! Try bringing a baby and a toddler into an airplane bathroom and doing your business while trying to keep them from, say, touching the floor and then licking their fingers. This time, I am going to use the airplane bathrooms all by myself. Zari will be in charge of the other two.

I have to bring the kids home by myself, too. Eric couldn't get on the same flight. I am going to pretend that the next 36 hours aren't really happening. Maybe I could use some birth hypnosis techniques...Actually I don't mind flying that much. It's our road trip to southern Alberta this summer that I truly dread. Three 12-hour days in the car both ways. Kill me now.

We'll be in Nice the whole time, except for my brief trip to the Netherlands at the end of May. If you live in the Alpes-Maritimes, get in touch! Are there any parenting/breastfeeding groups in the area? Interesting town festivals?