Trip To Philly

This was a highly anticipated trip. We had been talking about Uncle Jon's wedding for months. Luke began to talk about it almost every day. He knew he'd get to ride in an airplane and was convinced he'd get to ride a dump truck too. Not to mention he thought a wedding was a playground.

We were doing lots of preparing (shopping) for this trip and had gotten lots of stuff that we had to save for the trip (snacks, clothes, toys, etc.). Luke would ask, "that's for Uncle Jon's wedding?"

After lots of list making and packing, we left for the airport Wednesday morning at 8am.
We parked our car and rode a shuttle to the airport.
All this went pretty smoothly, but once off the bus we realized just how much stuff we had. I'm sure we were quite the spectacle walking through the airport. Howie was rolling two large suitcases and a carseat. I packed Brody on my back, while pushing the double stroller: Luke in one seat, a bag in the other, 3 bags hanging from the handles, and a small rolling suitcase attached. In fact, I overheard a woman with a baby in stroller comment to her husband, "I thought we had it bad."
We checked our bags and headed to security. That was interesting. Take Brody out of the pack, Luke out of the stroller, take off everyone's shoes and socks, everyone's jackets/sweatshirts, take off belts, check pockets, take certain items out of bags, even fold up the stroller and put it through. They searched 2 of our 4 bags and had to test all our liquids (applesause, formula, water). Then we had to put ourselves all back together. I always feel rushed through security because of the amount of people and you've got to get in, get out, and get out of the way. It wasn't too bad, I just had to tell myself that its ok for people to go around us.

We let the boys walk to our gate to get some energy out. Once there we sat down, had lunch and watched planes take off.

We let the boys run around while we waited and did diaper changes before we got on the plane. Everything up to this point went great. Howie was headed back from the bathroom and realized that were boarding the plane and we didn't realize it. We were sitting in another section with less people and thought we'd hear an announcement. Well, it all went downhill from that moment on.

Family seating was in the back of the plane. We were in the very last row in three seats on the left side. We raised the armrests, hooked Luke's carseat in, stuffed our three bags under the seats in front of us, and squished ourselves in those 3 seats. I don't know why but I had not anticipated being so cramped. I had prepared for EVERYTHING. But not that. We had an activity bag, a food bag, and a diaper bag. The boys had a new toy for every 20 minutes if necessary, they had movies, and snacks galore. But not being able to move for 4 hours is more than difficult for two active toddlers. We got on the plane just in time for naps, so I'd hoped they'd sleep. It is rare that Brody falls asleep in your arms, so I had to put him in the car seat and hold Luke for a time. But even still, Brody did not sleep long and Luke did not sleep at all. Grandma packed a great bag of toys for the boys. Some of the toys kept Luke entertained for a long time. The only problem was they'd drop toys on the floor and I could barely reach them.
Finally, we were nearing the end of the flight when we smelled a stinky diaper. The good news is there is a changing table on the plane. The bad news is its at the front of the plane when family seating is in the back (that doesn't make sense). The double bad news is just like everything else on a plane, its a miniture changing table! So I let Brody out into the aisle, thinking he would stand there, maybe wander, but I was right behind him. Yeah right! He took off down the aisle! So I grabbed the diaper and ran after him! I could see people looking around, like "where is this kid's parents?" One guy was looking around and I come running down the aisle and bump him. (I felt really bad). I guess I didn't need to be darting toward Brody, there's no where to go on a plane, but I caught him just as the plane bounced in turbulance.

We WALK the rest of the way to the bathroom. The stewardess sets up the changing table over the toilet and hangs up a dirty diaper bag on the door. I go in, shut the door behind me, and lay B on the table. There is absolutely no room in there. Brody doesn't fit on the changer so he's laying there all cockeyed. I pull down his diaper and begin to wipe him but he is not done filling it! I throw his diaper back on and hold it there til he's finished. Meanwhile, he's pulling everything out of the pockets in the wall! Its one thing to quick change a kids diaper but when you have to wait for him to finish, that's just more time for him to get fussy and make a mess. I did mention that we were nearing the end of the flight...while we're waiting, the seatbelt light comes on...we're decending AND in turbulance...I am changing a poopy diaper for crying out loud! We did our best in the bathroom, leaving with only a small amount of poo on our clothes, and now had to venture back to our seat. I held Brody close to me so he wouldn't throw my balance, and surfed back to our seat. I bent my knees and braced myself in every air wave we hit. Well, obviously we survived. Moral of this story: don't let your kids poop on a plane.

We arrived in St. Louis just before 7pm. Yes, I did say St. Louis...this trip wasn't over yet! I got off the plane ready to rent a car and road trip the rest of the way. At least I know they would sleep that way. We check on our flight and it was delayed. NOOO! Now we had an undetermined amount of time in a packed airport with no food options. I was frustrated to all get out. On the up-side the kids got a little more time to stretch their legs. But chasing two tired toddlers going different directions and not leave luggage unsupervised just about did me in. I was surprised Howie was calm and collected, usually its the other way around.
The next flight was much better. I tried to get on this plane with a better attitude. That made all the difference. Luke did some funny stuff on this flight. We explained to Luke that he could have a pacifier on this trip (usually he doesn't get one anymore). We told him going on the plane might bother his ears and a pacifier would help his ears feel better. Once the plane took off he said, "Mommy, I need my pacifier, my ears are growing."

Luke sat in the window seat on all of our flights. That's where car seats have to be strapped. This time we were on the right side. The plane took a sharp turn to the right. I always like that angle because you can see more out the window. Luke gripped his carseat and started whining, "we're falling." He got really freaked out about it. I tried to explain that the plane was turning but he was really scared, so we shut the window and tried to distract him.

We watched a movie and played with more toys. Luke fell asleep about 20 minutes before we landed. Brody was wide awake and bouncing around. Luke was so far out, I could barely wake him enough to get him off the plane.

We uneventfully got all our things off the plane, out of baggage claim, and met my brother at 12am Philadelphia time. We left a pleasant 60 some degrees in Seattle that morning to walk into a 80 degree sauna in Philadelphia AT MIDNIGHT! We stepped out of the airport and were SLAMMED with heat and humidity. I could not believe it. We did not have far to walk to reach the car but by the time we were all loaded I was dripping with sweat.

We took a 20 minute drive to the city where we stayed at the Racquet Club. They had the room stocked with a crib and a roll away bed for Luke. We let the boys visit a bit, unpacked and hit the hay. I have no idea what time we actually went to bed. It was quite a day.

I am pretty adventurous when it comes to doing things with the boys. I am usually up for anything as long as we are prepared, patient, and flexible. But this was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Its not that they were misbehaving or anything...they were very good boys considering they had to be confined for so long and travel for over 12 hours. It was just hard. there's not much flexibility on a plane which makes for an impatient mom that all the preparedness cannot fix. But we arrived, in one piece, ready for a fun week.

To be continued...

Everyday Kind of Special

Something about this weekend was special. I guess its the everyday fun you make with your kids. Its expecially fun that Luke is older and gets excited about things we do.

Friday, the boys spent the day with Bethany while Howie and I worked. Its a long day at home, so I thought I'd break it up for them and asked Alex and Daryl if they'd pick up the boys after their naps. Luke loves Daryl and their dogs. When I told him they were going to come get him, his face lit up as he said, "Yes!" When I got there the boys were playing ball on the deck. Luke was throwing the ball for the dogs. Brody's still not thrilled about dogs bigger than him, well, any dogs for that matter. They invited us for dinner where Luke gave most of his hot dog to Karma. He'd bite each piece in half, one for him, one for Karma. (That's what we do for Brody when we're sharing something that is too big for him to eat. It was funny to see Luke copy that with the dog.) We left Brody at the Meads and took Luke to Howie's baseball game. It was fun to spend some time with just Luke. We converted the bag that holds our croquet set into a ball bag for Luke. It has a few balls, his mit, and his bat in it so that he can play baseball too. He loves it! But so do all the other kids. He was so gracious to the other kids, letting them borrow his bat and taking turns. When he wanted his ball or bat back, he'd go ask politely for it back. I was so proud of him. Friday's game was a double header, so we had two hours to fill. (Luke's not much of a spectator.) The first game we practiced batting...a lot. After the game he was so excited to get to run out on the field. He ran straight to the pitching mound and was ready to throw some strikes. The second game, I tried to get him to take it easy so we bought some snacks at the concession stand. He picked out a sucker, but all they had was the gum-in-the-middle kind. He thought it was cool to have a treat in the middle, but does not understand that gum is for chewing only. Oh well. :) We left about halfway through the second game and went back to Alex and Daryl's house. They had promised smores when we got back. So Alex made up a fire on the deck, widdled a stick perfect for roasting, and broke out the goods. It was pretty warm earlier in the day, but got cool quick so Daryl got Luke a blanket. He was so cute to share the blanket with Daryl. (He always calls it cozy up - "Let's cozy up.") This was Luke's first smore making party complete with fire. We had a couple of close calls with him tripping close to the pit. Yikes! But he is definitely a fan of marshmellows and chocolate. It was getting pretty late but we were having fun and Luke wanted to "cozy up" with Daryl and watch a show. This was his usual bedtime routine, so I let him stay a little longer to watch the Berstein Bears with Daryl. After a long, fun day I thought Luke would be wiped out and ready for bed. Instead he was hyped! When we came in the door at 9:30, he picked up his guitar and started shouting, "1-2-3 Rock!" (A little back story...one of his new favorite shows is Bubble Guppies: Rock and Roll episode. Its all about instruments and playing in a band. He took his guitar to bed with him and was saying, "1-2-3 Rock" until 10pm when suddenly (I'm not kidding - suddenly) he was quiet. I went to peek in on him and there he was sleeping with guitar in hand. Saturday morning we went to Lizzie's 4th birthday party. It was held at Bellingham Bay Gymnastics & Preschool. This place was awesome! They had a teacher hosting the party. She started by gathering the kids to do some little excercises and stretches, got out a parachute to play with as a group and sang songs. She had Lizzie demonstrate each piece of equipment and then let the kids run free for awhile. They had a zip line the kids could try out, then she got out the basketball hoops, and then a little pyramid for the kids to sit on for a photo. After our fun in the gym we went into the preschool room and had cupcakes and juice, then opened presents. I was really impressed with the place. It was a taste of what they do every day at preschool. Luke loved it!
Saturday afternoon I caught Luke getting a marker out of the coloring bin and asked him what he was doing. "Oda Body," he said. After asking him a couple more times, I could not figure out what he was trying to say. I can understand him when he says color or marker, so I did not get it. Sometimes when I can't make out what he says, I say what I think he said. "Order Brody?" "Yeah!" I was surprised I was right cause that makes no sense. I gave him a pencil instead and he went outside and said, "I oda Body," picked up his notepad and began to take Brody's order as if he were a waiter! Ha ha! "What you like?" Scribble, scribble. "What else?" Scribble, scribble.
It was a very warm day so I filled our little turtle sandbox with water and let them splash around. It was a little too small for them being that Luke wants to go crazy in it (swim, fall down, jump, splash, spin...). It was perfect for Brody who just wants to wade and swish his hands around in it. But Luke kept playfully pushing him, sitting on him, etc. Plus the water was pretty cold straight from the hose, so he did not like being dunked. I just stripped them down and let them play, so I won't be posting those pictures. :)
Howie had worked all weekend. So the boys came to church with me Sunday morning. They do pretty good following me around the building. Granted its much easier to keep track of one than two, but we make it work. Luke walks around like he owns the place. I said this out loud to Luke,and his nursery teacher overheard me and said, "Oh he DOES own the place!" This is funny because they've told me on numerous occasions that he's taken charge of his classroom. (The kid's got some leadership qualities that I pray get used for good.) We came home, had lunch, took naps. Again it was a warm day so we headed down to Ferndale's Riverwalk Park to play in the fountain. Howie picked up pizza and met us there for a "picnic."