Almost six years ago, I had to return to Holland from Ireland, for a day in court. On the day before I was supposed to leave, I discovered that my passport had ran out by two weeks. My lawyer told me that I didn't need to be present at the hearing and everything went smoothly. Now I think it had to be that way, nasty things could have been brought back again if I had been there. But I'm glad your kids got to go :)