In the Sky with Four Kids - Part 2

We taught the kids how to read the arrival/departures board. We tried to explain how they pack the luggage and how it ends up in baggage claim. Jessica was excited about having her own little tray table. We told her that it had to be up until the flight attendant told her she could use it. Every time a flight attendant passed, she would ask, "can I use this?"

We had a layover in Phoenix, AZ. I took the older three for a walking tour around the terminals. Most wings of an airport start looking the same, but they liked the moving walkways. I wanted to keep them busy, so they could save their video games & DVDs for the flight.

On the 2nd leg we hit a bunch of turbulence. It got quit uncomfortable. Every time the plane would bounce or dip, Jessica would squeal, "WHOA" and then giggle. Cute the first few times. Later that day I heard the boys comment, "I didn't really like the second pilot. He wasn't very good."

Our "direct flight" touched down in Albuquerque. We hadn't expected this. Notes for future: be sure it is a "NON-stop" flight not just direct. Jacob got real uncomfortable with the take offs and James got queasy during the landings. So doing it three times in the same day wasn't their favorite. When we stopped in New Mexico, we remained on the plane while other passengers exited and loaded. Jayson liked getting out of his seat for a few minutes. He was SCREAMING when we put him back in.

****
Return Flight:
Good thing we left extra early for the airport because the freeway was closed and we had to navigate a detour. Upon arrival at the Orlando airport, we ate milkshakes, smoothies, & doughnuts for breakfast. Way to start the day!!! Then we found out our flight was delayed but the agent was confident that we'd make the time up in the air.

Jon was going to move the kids and bags closer to the boarding gate. It was my turn to run to the bathrooms. The first one was WAY full (and so was my bladder) so I continued to the next set which wasn't much further down the corridor. I finished my business and cruised back to the gate - which was practically empty. They had started to board the delayed plane right after I left. My family was nowhere in sight, so I checked with the ticket agent to see if he had my boarding pass.

I felt terrible that Jon had loaded our whole crew on his own. He had the rolling bag with carseat on top, the stroller to be gate checked, my backpack, Jayson's bag, baby Jay, 3 kids with their accompanying backpacks, & a gift bag of treats. I claimed my boarding pass and got stuck behind dozens of people in the tunnel ramp thing that leads to the plane. I saw Jon come out of the plane to pick up our other carry-on items. He saw me and knew that I was getting on the flight.

Well, Jacob didn't know I was coming. He was in streaming tears. He thought I was going to be lost in Florida forever. He was too upset to consider that I might get on another flight and make it home. It actually was quite cute to see him all overloaded with worry.

Families with young children got to board after the business passengers. We were able to sit in neighboring rows or across from each other. Jayson always got the window seat with me next to him. He was a full time job except for the few glimpses when he dozed off. Jon was usually working to manage Jessica. Somehow Jacob had never had a turn with the window seat. We promised him the window seat on the last leg into California.

Well, returning home the Orlando flight was delayed and we DIDN'T have a 2 hour layover - just 40 minutes to switch planes. They didn't make the time up in the air (plus the stop in Texas took longer than they had hoped), so we were going to miss our connecting flight. The airline decided to hold the plane because there were several of us on the delayed flight and the next flight was also booked solid. Imagine their grief when they saw the family of six come down the hall. There were only middle seats left. "So. . . . who would like to sit next to my baby?"

A couple passengers shifted to give me a row for Jayson & Jessica. James sat up front between two strangers. Jacob was a few rows back from me between two strangers. He was sobbing because we had promised him the window seat. The flight attendant sneaked him a full can of soda which seemed to appease him. Jon ended up a few rows back from James.

I was out of tricks. Jayson had HAD IT! He threw whatever I handed him. Nothing was properly stowed in his row. I tried to talk calmly through Jessica's constant demands. I handed her the grocery bag of all the leftover treats and told her to take whatever she wanted. Jayson did go to sleep eventually, but I don't think the passengers in front of us had earplugs while he fought it.

James threw up (between two strangers) during the landing. He knew all about the little white barf bags because he had threatened to use one every landing. Rumor has it that he landed it all inside the bag.

I was absolutely exhausted. The kids got a 2nd wind because they knew a limousine was coming to pick them up. I just wanted to get home.