the best and worst of times

Because nothing that you look back on and wish you remembered seems significant at the time, I have no way to know how many times I have flown coast to coast with my children.

In the midst of dragging myself, two children, luggage, and a dripping hot coffee (why do the cups that drip always come to me when I am either dressed up or travelling?) through airports in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Raleigh/Durham, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas, Houston, JFK, Philadelphia I have no clue why I don't immediately arrive at destination and whip out the scrapbook. Probably because, after each trip, I spend several weeks saying to myself, "For the love all things peaceful and sane WHY do I keep flying these children across the country?"

I know the answer, and the truth comes back to me after a few months of using full-size toiletries: My love for my family is not peaceful or sane; but it is one that makes you do crazy things like coaxing crying children off of airplanes when they refuse to go one more step with their bag and you are preventing about 167 travel-weary people from getting off that plane! And so, we fly. My best estimates put roundtrips at about 14 (70000 miles!) with one or both children since May 2001. I like to fly with them alone, and usually do, because they are better when we have three seats together and it is clear there is nowhere else to go and nothing else to do but sit.

I have a long list of tips about flying with children of varying ages. (infant to 7.5 - although once they reach 6 you can buy a Game Boy and some acceptable games and bring it out only for flights. It is magic.) This trip, some more were confirmed.

1. Crocs are a heinous crime against fashion; but they are a security line lifesaver!
2. Do not rely on airplane coffee to feed your caffeine addiction - unless you enjoy leaving your children to sit in a random waiting area while you run 1/4 mile to the nearest coffee stand and back with scalding hot coffee. (during very short layover)
3. Use the bathroom at the last minute possible before landing.
4. Make sure you are in the correct terminal to avoid long walks through mile-long underground tunnels.
5. Don't take offense when the lady in front of you turns around at the end of the flight and says, "You know I was dreading having to sit in front of two children for this whole flight, but I didn't even hear yours."
6. Pray for kids movies. Nancy Drew and Even Almighty shown back to back saved our return home. Don't worry, the sound isn't good enough for the movies to influence them very much.
7. Dress the kids up a bit, and straighten their hair. Nothing like a couple of cute kids to inspire people
give you little extras. Free food, snacks, headphones, extra cans of drinks.

Where in the world?

More detailed posts about my travels to follow,
but since I have been silent so long, I figured I'd update.

I let my husband and kids for the last nearly two weeks
to be with my sister and husband in Philadelphia.

My flights were timed very nicely, I made it for the birth -
and subsequent trials of the first week.

Now, however, it's his life story - and his blog to read:

The Life, so far, of Sullivan

Coming soon: Transportation Possessed