My dear pet snails are back in the wild and we sail away today for a week. I’m stocked up on vomit bags, coloring pages and coffee. The iPads are updated. My children haven’t seen them in three months.

Yes, I understand it’s possible for an impatient 4-year-old to sail for eight hours without an ipad, but even if I were that masochistic, it does not meant I want to inflict undue suffering on my in-laws.

I learned a lot last year and I’ve tweaked my packing: fewer clothes and more potato chips, smaller towels and more wipes, and shiny new pencils in pairs. I will keep the sibling rivalry to a low hum if at all possible.

I also packed MORE COFFEE and shelf-stable milk. Mornings on the boat are my absolute favorite time of the day.

My kids may go into a screen-time detox at some point, but I will not go into caffeine withdrawal. Nor should those two ever happen at the same time.

Rhode Island to Martha’s Vineyard and back again! Heave-ho!