So, we have undertaken an amazing feat. We flew with out 2 children under 6 from Raleigh, NC to Denver, Co. We were prepared for the worse. Lots of whining, crying and many talks in the bathroom with Daddy if necessary. I had bought each one of the kids "carry on" bag of their own, a small fabric tote about 18 inches by 12 inches and a few inches deep, in which we packed the all important Leapesters ( learning video game toy) and papers that were sent home for "summer fun" from their preschool teachers and colored pencils or crayons, and a few other things to keep them busy. Greyson insisted on bringing his bible, so then did Addy. Each got to bring a small stuffed toy with them in the bag too. I was praying that this would keep them entertained while we waited for the flight at least!
We got to RDU airport. They were a little antsy while we waited for Daddy to go park the car and I began to worry. Waiting for the plane, Leapesters were all consuming. Thank goodness I found one on sale for Addy on the Leap Frog web site. I'm not exactly sure if sharing 1 would have worked. I knew that boarding would keep their attention. Greyson sat in the row ahead with Daddy and Addyson sat with me. The adults had the widow seat even though we offered them to the kids and they declined. It worked out well because it gave Darren and I more room. (We are fluffy don't you know!) Addy made friends with the college girl next to us and Greyson chatted some with a man who we found out was a marine on his way home.
Taking off was a thrill for the kids, and when we reached 10.000 feet and could break out the leapesters, they came out again. After about an hour or so, we let the kids see out the windows. That was pretty cool. They both thought getting a snack on the plane was pretty cool too. Then it was time for the landing. We explained that there would be a lot of different noises and then a bump when we touched down. Luckily we had pretty good "bumps", but did do some fishtailing on that first flight. We had landed in Chicago!
Our layover was rather short and we had to switch concourses which wasn't in the original plan, but we managed to get some lunch and arrive about 15 min before boarding began. Thank God for the Family boarding! That's great. We got to board after the first section of travelers boarded, and we owe it all to Addy, since she's 3 we qualify. This time around Greyson sat with me and Addy with Darren. Greyson was full of questions and we happened to sit next to a stewardess jumping flights, so she helped answer them. She was wonderful! She even pulled out her Ipad and let Greyson see the flight tracker of our flight. Greyson kept asking where were we in our flight. She also got coloring books and wings for both the kids. Addy took a nap from shortly after takeoff to about 30 minutes before landing. Again the snacks were pretty cool.
We landed in Denver, again with a pretty soft bump and the flight attendant telling Greyson what the flaps on the wings were doing as we approached and landed. Greyson almost shouted when he heard the Captain say we were in Denver. He was ready for another flight, me, not so much. I was really glad we had made it! Both the kids listened very well in the airports and made us glad that we had not brought the stroller, since we already had enough stuff! We got to take a train to the baggage claim, and that was a new experience for the kids. They had never been on a train, must less a subway type train. Both sat wide eyed, holding Darren's hand as the train took off then slowed at it's stops. Addy really looked confused. We made it to baggage claim and as Darren got our bags, the kids helped him spot them. Addy got her suitcase, pulled up the handle and walked to the bus for the rental car. She thought she was something. It was so cute to see this little girl in a green gingham skirt pulling a ladybug suitcase just walking along beside her daddy pushing a cart of suitcases.
At the car rental place, while Darren rented the car, we had a court side seat to see planes take off. Greyson thought it was pretty cool. Greyson passed out in the car on the ride to the hotel. We made it, unpacked, had dinner, picked up a few groceries and came back and put the kids to bed. Of course they thought it was play time because they have a room together. Darren and I were dead tired and the kids kept laughing and playing. It finally took one of those talks from Daddy to get them to quiet down and finally go to sleep about midnight, Denver time, 2am our time. Hopefully they won't be too grumpy tomorrow!
Greyson kept asking us tonight if he had been good today, which he does from time to time. I told him he had been Amazing today. We had been blessed with a great trip out. God really answered prayer for us. It could have been much worse! I know there were others praying for us and I could tell in the behaviors of my children. Not that they are bad kids, all in all, they are pretty good.
Today my kids made me proud. Not that overwhelming beaming pride I get when they do something great, or a new first, but that quiet, steadily spreading pride that makes you feel like your kids are maturing, getting all grown up. I know it is in a way a reflection on how they are raised, but sometimes I wonder if Darren and I are doing a good job with the kids. It was one of those affirmations that I actually might have a clue with this parenting thing. Maybe our "excess" age has an advantage.
Today my kids defiantly lived up to our state's licence plate motto- First in Flight!
No comments:
Post a Comment