Leaving On A Jet Plane

Don't know when we'll be back again....  

It's that time - our annual dose of complete insanity as Chris and I attempted to maneuver the Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport for a long visit with our family in the Heartland. This flying business is quite the challenge with four very energetic toddlers who still don't speak the same language as we do.  Try explaining to a 21-month-old strong willed little one that their shoes, blankets and wagons need to go through the security x-ray machine and we'll pick them up on the other side.  I was dragging a screaming crying bunch through the metal detector as fast as I could to try to show them that we were in fact getting their precious belongings back.  I must've been as red as their wagons while trying to nod a little thanks for understanding and yes, we hope we're not on your plane either to the passersby who were all giving me long looks of pure pity.  We made it through and managed to get everyones clothes back on and head to go get breakfast. Again we had a communication error where Cohen assumed Daddy had left us for bad behavior at the security gate and we were never going to eat again.  And again I turned a few shades of red as I tried to calm Cohen down while praying the half dozen customers in front of Chris were just ordering a cup of water. It was 3 minutes that felt like an hour but we got our breakfast and everyone was happy and ready to explore our terminal.  We let the kids run around a bit before boarding the plane in hopes they'd be tuckered out and ready to sit still.  

An Attempted Game of Ring Around The Tree Trunk

(Mommy, Cohen, Sophia, Noah - Finn was taking the Photo)

 

The games didn't quite prepare the whole bunch to sit still.  A few screams of protest that echoed throughout the plane were quickly translated as my little travel companions way of asking me to sit with Daddy instead.  So once we had those seating assignments rearranged were on our way and had quite a pleasant ride. 

Goofing Off

(Mommy & Sophia)

The layover was short but long enough for diaper changes and some lunch. By lunch I mean running around the terminal to finger paint a few chairs with the pizza we were trying to stuff in them before the next leg of the trip.  Once we were in the air we had a nice gift of four little nappers on that next two hour plane ride!  (Shout Out to Moni - Thank You!) We have never had so many compliments on how sweet and good our kids are as we did on that flight!  Thank goodness they didn't see them in Houston! 

Crusing In Style 

(Cohen)

My Sweet Snoozers!

(Finn, Daddy, Noah)

Cuddle Time in the Clouds

(Sophia & Mommy)