Well, we have finally started to name our trips (Highlights of New England) This one will definitely hit the major highlights for sure. We started out this morning and headed to D.C. The kids were easy to get up and Anderson was ready to do his breather (he seems to forget he has it on when he watched a movie so that is our little routine now). Reagan was the last one up and was glad that I didn’t put her in her car seat while she was asleep (like the last few trips). Graham decided also this morning that he didn’t want to go on an airplane but wanted to go on a neigh neigh instead. That is fine, but the horse ride is later next week! Campbell was grinning and kicking when we went in to get her and she must have known something was up because she just watched everyone intently.
We still managed to pick up James a little after 8 and were on our way to the airport. Since we have rehearsed many times the kids knew just what to do when it was time for security. Anderson made it his job to push the bags towards the conveyer belt, Reagan busied herself with getting everyone’s shoes and taking care of Graham, Graham stood right by everyone but then became confused when Mom tried to send everyone through the metal detector before she went. He didn’t understand why she wasn’t going with him and why Dad wasn’t coming (he was still working on pushing the bags through-6 bags, 2 strollers, 1 bin of shoes, 2 laptop bins and one bin filled with baby formula (and yes, we had already checked 3 suitcases, 1 duffle bag, 1 pack n play, and 3 car seat bags) Wouldn’t you have loved to been behind us?-we are fairly efficient though)
Once at the gate, we looked out the window, took a couple of walks and went to the bathroom. We had a little extra time since our flight was delayed by 30 minutes. It was not too big of a deal since they had said no one would miss their connection. We boarded the plane…oh, yes, listen to this story:
We boarded the plane which was already pretty full even though we were at the end of the A group (Southwest). We had to have 3 seats together and 2 seats together since the kids can’t sit by themselves. The only place in the plane with 3 seat together was on the very back row and 2 seats together was hard to come by too so Reagan and I went to the other back row by the boys to sit. There was a lady sitting by the window with her purse on the middle seat. She just seemed to ignore Reagan as I pushed her into middle seat. The flight attendant was standing nearby and he said something to her (I have forgotten now but something like “can you move your purse”) She didn’t respond so I politely asked if anyone was sitting there. She finally looked up and then moved her purse. (I wanted to say: listen lady, I don’t want to sit by you either but this is the only place for us-but I didn’t say that). She didn’t seem to be too happy to have seat mates so I was quite pleased when I reached across the aisle and grabbed Campbell from Robby. It doesn’t pay to be rude or you will have to sit by a kid AND a baby on the plane! Ha, served her right…except the kids were perfect. Oh, and I had Reagan’s bag in front of her under the other seat and my small bag in front of me and the lady asked if she could put her purse in front of me. Should have had Campbell spit up on that Louis Vuitton Bag!
The boys spent their time reading the emergency brochure, eating Nerds, waiting on their Sprites and reading magazines (though Dad didn’t know you had to read it to them). Reagan and I read some of one of her books and Campbell snoozed the entire flight. The flight was smooth and quick and since we were in the very back, we were the last ones off of the plane. Which meant, we had to sit everyone in the strollers and book it to the next stop. Luckily, we only had 10 gates to pass but we made it just in time for the family boarding. Not even time for a bathroom stop (which is probably why Graham was so wet later in the day that even his socks got wet-we some how forgot about his diaper).
We found seats on this plane: 3 together and then there was 2 together beside the 3. I put Reagan in the row and then looked down to see another lady and purse sitting there. She didn’t budge so I had to ask her if someone was sitting there. She said yes, and I smiled (on the outside) and said well we would move. Finally, she said that she could move since it would be easier for her to move (like I believe someone was sitting there). I don’t really like boarding Southwest flights, everyone is sitting either on the aisle or beside the window so there are only single seats. And no one makes any eye contact with anyone and especially if they see a kid with you! Until after you pass their row and then they comment about how we have our hands full! Or say what cute twins or even triplets (seriously, it has all happened today)
I sat with the boys on this flight and Robby had the girls. Campbell stayed awake and Graham fell asleep. Reagan remembered that Grannymom had packed a present for them and her and Anderson opened them. They were very excited. Anderson immediately tried to wake up Graham so he could open his-Mom stopped him. Anderson then played until he said “when are we going to be there, my tummy hurts” These simple words put me into “Super Fast Mom Mode”-I threw Campbell to Robby, grabbed the motion sickness bag and was ready to catch all while turning the air on him, unbuckling and saying a quick prayer. But no catching was needed. We had been in the clouds for a little bit and it was kind of rough sitting over the wing too.
At Dulles, we found our baggage claim spot and started waiting. A sky cap approached and asked if we needed any help-Robby quickly said yes. He handed me the tip money and went to catch the rental car shuttle. I found all of the bags (hopefully) and pointed them out to the sky cap. He put them on the cart and then followed us outside. I had him unload and tipped him (never done that before) and then we waited on Robby to come. We were in the shade and there was quite a lot to watch-cars, people and planes. I unloaded the car seats and got them put back together so they kids all set in them and had some skittles. Before too long, Robby had pulled up and we were loading up. The van is very similar to ours at home so the kids were familiar with everything.
It was only a few miles to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles. It is a newer extension for the museum on the Mall. Parking was free after 4 and we drove up the gate about 3:58. The cars were all stopped and then at 4 the gates lifted and everyone drove in (saved us $15). The kids were pretty impressed with the airplanes all over the place. I had told them they would see hundreds and I think that we did. We saw the Enterprise Space Shuttle and it was huge. The kids were pretty impressed with the astronaut hanging form the ceiling and looking at pictures of the old space capsules floating in the water. There was also the Enola Gay and the Concorde to see. Reagan was so excited that she could walk under the wing of the planes-she had Robby take her picture too. Have you noticed that she is big into posing lately? Twists that leg and head and puts her hands up-where did she get that from?
Since it was nearing 5 here (4 at home) and we had only eaten breakfast and a few airplane snacks, we were thankful for the McDonald's in the museum. We devoured ours but the kids only picked at theirs. Campbell was ready for a bottle too-she had only had one on the flights. After a quick trip to the gift shop, we were out of the museum by closing time (5:30). Our hotel was just a few miles the other way and when we pulled up Reagan said “this looks like a castle" It is very big for a Hampton.
Our room is large as well and it had plenty of room for the kids to play while Robby watched the game. At one time, Reagan asked him why he was so nervous at the tv. He might have been doing a little bit of hollering. We unloaded everything tonight and packed up so we will only have to get out a bag or two tomorrow night (hopefully). Robby took Reagan, Anderson and Graham to the store to pick up our picnic supplies while I stayed here, fed Campbell and repacked some things. They came back bearing ice cream, so after a snack Graham and Campbell went to bed and the big kids watched a movie. Robby went downstairs to load up what we could tonight since we will start pretty early in the morning after breakfast. Anderson is already excited about tomorrows breakfast!
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