A great trip

We just got back from a great trip back East. And I'm not talking about out week in D.C. (although that was great; more later). Can it be that the word "great" and "traveling with two kids" could be in the same sentence? Without meaning, "Oh, greeaat..."?

Turns out that our whole plan all along to travel while others were NOT traveling paid off not just on the flight out (when we got to take an extra aisle/middle seat from the row in front) or in empty museums but quite importantly on a half empty plane on our return flight when we're all already tired and our flight was late in the day. Tom and I braced ourselves for the worst but thank you, Lord, for giving us the best.

The airport experience can be stressful. I describe us at the security check as a three-ring circus. Kids and extras have to be out of stroller, our stroller folded, we're stripping our shoes and jackets, taking out laptop, all while the continuously empty conveyor belt reminds us of how slow we are being. But lines weren't long and sometimes when the airport folk see us coming with our SUV of a double stroller, they scoot us right to the front, probably for their sake as much as for ours.

Once on the plane, the work begins, but at the same time, it was a relief to know we made it on the plane. Tonight we got to spread out to the whole row next to us which proved wonderful for Eli to sleep without us holding him and Tobey to not disturb Eli while sleeping. Everyone on the plane was in a good mood because with 60 people only on board, everyone could pick their ideal seat. The aisle and the galley wasn't crowded and we didn't have to wait for the bathroom. When there was no changing table in the bathroom, there were 5 empty rows in the back to choose from for changing. The flight attendants were extra nice and one even held Eli while I went to the bathroom because Tom was stuck under a sleeping Tobey. I had a ton of snacks so we weren't hungry and the kids weren't fussy. They showed two movies, the first of which Tom and I both got to watch because the kids were sleeping; the second we got bits and pieces of.

Tom and I did cave in and pulled out the DVD player (Tom's laptop) at about hour #4 into the 5.5 hour flight. Tobey was starting to get ansy and Eli was starting to get tired. It was Tobey's first extended exposure to Baby Mozart and for once, I let go of my tight TV rules and let Tobey watch, for our sanity mostly. We got a couple comments about how "impressively good" our kids were throughout the flight. I think the DVD saved us from having a tiring and harrowing last 1-2 hours.

On both flights, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the "descent" announcement as I wasn't completely exhausted and ready to strangle my kids by then. The extra space made a huge difference as did our low expectations (can't be disappointed!), rest the night before and well-preparedness. Although it's nice to stay put for a little while, I'm not totally scared to go again. Then again, best to keep my expectations low. :-)