International Travel

I had everyone tell me that international travel with a 2 year-old and a 6 year-old would be a NIGHTMARE!! I have to totally disagree! The preparation to get to the airport was by far a bigger challenge than actually being at the airport and on the planes with the kiddos. Now, I must qualify this post by saying that I am sure I have the most well behaved children in the western hemisphere. (HA! HA!) Really, though the stars must have aligned because overall they were very well behaved during the entire travel time. I am also going to add that my son, oh my precious red-headed son decided he wanted to be a big boy and potty train about 5 days before we left. This is AMAZING and EXCITING, except I had already shipped 2 CASES of diapers to France, prepared our carry on bags with all the diapering necessities and now I was able to add big boy underwear, dry pants and socks to the bags....just in case. I am being silly, I love that he is now potty trained!! Life is much easier overall. However, he could have done it a few days earlier to help Mommy out;) 

Back to the travel. We arrived at the airport in Little Rock, checked our 6 (yes I said 6) large suitcases which I had to take 3 pounds out of one bag to put into a another bag that was being loaded onto the same plane. Are you following me? The lady that checked us in said that one of my suitcases weighed 47 lbs and another one weighed 53 lbs and no one suitcase could weigh more than 50 lbs. Now I understand rules. I like rules. We in the therapy world would call me a "Rules Follower". But, at this particular time when I am about to endure 24 hours of international travel with the above  mentioned children. REALLY! I asked politely would the bags be on the same plane? Yes, she replied. Will the weight on the plane not be the same no matter which bag is over and which one is under weight? She thought a few seconds then replied, yes. Well then I still need to sit here and rearrange the bags with my stroller, children, etc. She kindly replied, yes. So I did! What has this world come to?

After all that redistribution of weight. We were checked in. We made it through the security lines in record time. The airport was thankfully not that busy. So getting everything back in order after sending it all through the XRay machine was not that hectic. The kids loved watching the planes come in and take off.

 

 

 

Yes, we went through 3 airports and another country's terminal and taxi ride with my son carrying his weed eater. We endured several stares and nods, but I saw a few smiles from other women as if saying "We get it!" Now, we sent several of his toys in boxes, but this was left at the house and the morning we left Little Rock he clamped onto it. When my parents were helping me unload at the airport, my Dad was trying to get Scout to not take it and we could all see this WAS going to Paris. So instead of taking on a fight, he took it. Pick your battles is what I tell myself over and over as a mother!

 

 

Scout had never flown before, so the entire experience was exciting to him. He loved adjusting the fan and looking out the window. And of course, we had to use every smelly, stinky airplane bathroom. Yes, that was exciting for him too! Hand sanitizer was used in mass quantities on this travel experience!

 

 

This is what a majority of the long plane ride looked like. Jarred and I have made it a huge part of our parenting philosophy to show our children the art of media and technology. We both love TV and movies and we did not want them to miss out on the fun. As you can see, I think we succeeded. Then they fell asleep. They both slept about 4 hours of the 7 hour trip from Washington D.C. to Paris.

 

 

When we landed and got through customs we got to see Daddy. We hadn't seen him in almost 7 weeks, so the travel expereience was worth every minute to get to see him. There were screams, jumps, and tears. We won't mention who did what:)

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan