Kate has to go out of town for 3 days on a media tour. This leaves Jon alone with the kids to do everything by himself.
I enjoyed this episode more than others, because with Kate gone, there was more emphasis on the kids which is the main reason I watch the show. Lately, the episodes seem to focus way too much on Kate. With her gone, the kids get more camera time. You still see her after she gets back as her and Jon relay what happened during the interview segments.
Jon does a good job with the kids and takes time to play with them, even though he has to take care of them by himself. This is something Kate rarely seems to do. She is more concerned with "getting stuff done". Jon and the kids play outside and play tag ball.
Jon decides to get the kids to draw journals of what they did while Kate was gone and to video record messages to mommy (I'm sure the producers "helped" him with the idea). When he tells her about it on it the interview couch, they play the video for her to see for the first time. Kate is so touched that she tears up - I have never seen this sensitive side to her. But the kids messages were so adorable! Kate then has to strong arm Jon to admit how hard her job is and how much she does to help. But it seems like she is on the road mostly according to her travel itinerary?! According to the kids video messages on how much they miss her, I think its sad that they feel the need to travel all over the country away from the kids. They say it is "to give the kids a better life" - but what kids need most is their parents. They need to find a way to balance the two.
For September 11, Jon has the kids line the driveway with American flags in remembrance. I thought that was a nice touch and a good thing to instill in the kids.
Good episode - I wish they did more like them.