For the next thirty-six hours we’ll take the kids’ temperatures on an hourly basis, and check glands between temperature checks. Ri-ri set off a brief panic last night when she informed us that her throat was scratchy. It turned out all right. She was only thirsty.
I wonder what it says about my personality that I am utterly convinced that my kids will get sick either immediately before or during our family vacation to Disney World next week. I also must be convinced that worrying about it, and checking for symptoms has an antibiotic effect.

I am more afraid of illness than I am of all the kitch and overpriced soft drinks that a huge corporate conglomerate can aim at me. Given the limited staffing and financial commitments already made, one nipper with a fever is seriously going to screw with my happiness, and the well-being of those around me.

Would you consider prophylactic medication in this very specific circumstance? In the days leading up to a pricey family vacation, would you duck into the doc in the box and try to begs some good meds? We didn’t go that far, though the thought did occur.

We’re off this weekend for the whole man-made, plastic-flocked and corn syrup-injected experience, and I have to say that I’m experiencing a dangerously low level of cynicism about the whole thing. I’m looking forward to this – for the kids mind you. Will I return home on a tidal wave of snarkyness – grossed out by what we have become as a culture, or will I disembark proudly sporting a Pluto-embossed golf shirt?

I’ve heard from a lot of haters, a lot of too-cool-for-ears types who would never darken the archways of the Magic Kingdom, but my question is: have any of these people been? Are there haters out there who have actually confronted the spun-sugar beast and come back swearing off the sweet stuff?

Are you telling me your kids never watched Cars?