My ex-wife arrived last night. Her plane was supposed to arrive at ten but didn't get in till midnight. I left a key downstairs with the doormen and went to bed but Chet woke me up at midnight, so excited. He had left a note on the Aero bed in front of their bunkbed for his mom to wake him when she got in but she still hadn't showed. I told him to go back to bed. Then at one I was awakened by the front door buzzing. She doesn't have a cell phone so I couldn't have texted her about the key I'd left.

Just as I headed for the door Chet burst out of his room and beat me too it. I heard but didn't see them both squeal when they saw each other. She turned the corner down the hall coming toward me and Chet was reaching up for her to pick him up. At six, he's a little big for her but she bent down, asked him to jump and he did. My ex was crying as she held him and the noise woke up Ava and my ex hugged her too.

I bid them all good night and went back to bed.

In the morning I let her get the kids ready but I helped a bit and pointed out what cereals they liked and how Ava likes granola and honey mixed with her vanilla yogurt. Then I packed my things and drove out here to East Hampton for a marathon session of revising the book. When I told Ava that I was leaving she pleaded with me to stay. I told her I had to get this work done, it is so far behind already, but their mom doesn't leave until after Halloween so the kids will have a lot of days of the four of us together.

I realize how special it is to see the four of us under one roof and am committed to making it fun and sweet for them.