I am always thankful for a safe and happy trip with two young charges. We flew from Phoenix to Chicago, then into Islip, New York yesterday. Ian and Connor had an excellent flight to Chicago, including a NAP for all four of us. Parents confined with children on an airplane know how wonderful that can be.On our layover in Chicago, we weren't changing planes. We let the boys run up and down the aisles for some energy-burning. I asked the flight attendant if Ian could just look into the cockpit. They did one better.
The pilot allowed Ian to sit in the cockpit pilot seat, use the steering wheel, flip buttons and try the oxygen mask. Ian was delighted and I got to sit in the passenger seat and take photos. The pilot was really great-had machine gun sounds going, buzzers. So Southwest, I wasn't impressed with your new boarding policy for kids. But this brought you back in favor.
The final leg of the trip was not too bad-but tiring for the boys. Connor was unhappy with wearing long pants, so I let him have his shoes off. Ian wept after we landed because "I've been sitting for a long, long time!" and he was worried that we would be taking off again.
We had some NY pizza (yum!) and Connor then proceed to stand on my knee and dislocate it. It slid all way out of place and back in. So, I spent the night on ice and wearing a knee brace today. I have to rest up for the dancing tomorrow at Chris and Kristen's wedding.
I am so thankful for all the pilots and crews who get us where we need to go safely. And thanks for giving my son a dream! He told us, "Daddy, when I get bigger like you and the pilot, I am going to fly an airplane!"
4 comments:
I am incredibly thankful for Ian and Connor! They are both a lot of fun to be around and are always surprising me. Becoming a father has changed my life for the better.
They can be a bundle of laughs at the airport. Last summer in the airport Ian and I raced up and down the main walkway. I made one simple and effective rule... Don't run into ANYBODY! Fun ensued for 20 minutes! Connor and I played "Find Daddy" around a column. Fun ensued for 20 minutes! This time we alternated between "Jump on Daddy" and "How many Airplanes?" Yes, more fun ensued.
The meltdowns are expected on such long trips. Thursday night Ian performed his end of trip-let's get off the plane RIGHT NOW freak-out, which was nearly identical to the last summer's meltdown when we landed in NY. With a little effort, I calmly responded "I know buddy...I want to get off the plane too! I know... I have been sitting a long, long time too!" Linda very wisely took both boys out into the waiting area while I unhooked both car seats and gathered the rest of our carry-on stuff. When I finally get off the plane she is waiting with two very calm boys. Ian shouts "Daddy! What took so long?!?!"
I am of course thankful for my smart wife, especially on long flights across the country. She meticulously plans what snacks, drinks, clothes, diapers, wipes, toys and books to bring. We then divide the loot between us to go in our carry on bags. Sometimes we even trade a few things. Wednesday night went something like this...
Linda- "I 'll take one Lightning McQueen car and three fruit roll-ups."
Thomas- "Deal, but I get the extra bag of pretzels and the cool helicopter toy."
Linda has the forethought to buy one brand new toy for both boys that they have never seen before. This has become "Standard Murphy Traveling Procedure". She provided a cute little airplane with a smiley face for Connor and a cool airplane with attachable dinosaur cage for Ian. Wow, Linda ROCKS! Content, happy boys (and Daddy) ensued. That dino-plane thing was cool!.
I wish I had gotten the pilots name who let Ian hang out in the cockpit chair. That was a very generous and supremely cool thing to do! Thanks Southwest Pilot Guy!
Anyway we have had some practice traveling with our boys over the last few years. But what am I REALLY thankful for? Handy-wipes!
Now that was fantastic! The plane trip, the pilot (give that man a gold medal) and topped off by your husband's comments! Good things going on there girl and so many to be so very thankful about as well!
Have a great time at the wedding and reception and watch that knee action now too!
When you first told me this incrediable story I was so happy for Ian. Loved the video of Ian being so excited and bouncing on the seat. What a great experience, for your future fly boy!
Awesome! I had no idea pilots still did that these days. I guess it's probably just the coolest pilots :)
I hope your return trip goes as well, and I hope your knee is doing better Linda!
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