If you’re planning to go on a family vacation this summer and your kids still need a passport, you’d better get in line – fast.

After failing three times (long lines/closed offices), we decided to stick it out on Monday and wait however long it took. We were basically in crisis mode. The wait to receive your passport is up to 12 weeks now; it’s about four weeks if you expedite. We’re leaving in five weeks for a family Caribbean vacation (more on my bargain later.)

I got out of work early, ran to Summer’s school and met girls’ Daddy and Saylor way up at the Ehrlich post office, which closes its passport office at 2:30 p.m. (Word on the street is a two-week wait at the airport post office and Brandon is booked until end of June.)

We walked in at 1:15 p.m. and we walked out – crazed, delirious and hungry – at 5:15 p.m.

FOUR HOURS! Yes, we waited in line for half a work day for a stinking document.

The folks sitting with us all day shared our pain.

There was No. 27, headed for Jamaica and Bahamas, who waited in line close to five hours. The room broke out in applause when he walked out.

No. 56’s daughter left for an hour to get ready for a school banquet (I hope you guys were on time).  No. 55 was looking forward to a cruise with his girlfriend. Saylor hugged No. 42’s leg, thinking it was me.

I spent the hours entertaining or chasing Saylor, who finally had a melt down at hour 3. I absolutely detest the pacifier aside from naps but thank goodness I had one at the bottom of my purse. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Summer was transfixed on a television with cartoons. Girls’ Daddy spent the time in the corner working on the phone.

After more than $600 (so much for affordable vacation plans), I still expect to stress about getting the passports in the mail on time.

Can’t wait to sit on that beach.