This Christmas we were blessed by my inlaws with a trip to visit them and Josh’s brother’s family in Portland. This meant a first airplane trip for Kieran and Conor. The kids were so excited to see their cousins. I wasn’t sure how much they grasped about the actual flight itself. While the hop from Oakland to Portland is a brief one hour fifteen minutes of flying time, there was a bit to work out logistically flying with the three little ones, Christmas presents and our regular baggage.
The day before our flight the big kids and I talked over what it meant to check in at the airport, go through the security line, drop off our baggage, board the plane, plane etiquette, etc. All Conor cared about was that he got to wheel his suitcase around, Claire was concerned about sending her toy minnie and mickey through the security check point and impatient that we couldn’t get on the plane immediately. She refused to grasp that we could not get on just any flight and go see Grandma and Grandpa. As with anything, even well prepared plans can go awry. The morning of departure the family was dressed and out the door in plenty of time, we found the car park without delay or event, the kids were tickled by the bus ride from the car park to the airport. It was as we drove out of the car park lot that things unraveled a little. We realized the car had been left unlocked. There was nothing to do but turn around and go back to lock it. Josh offered to take one of the kids with him but they were so keyed up about the airport they wanted nothing to do with going back to the car. I had all Kieran’s travel paperwork so he could not go with Josh. So, off the three kids and I went. Each kid with their suitcase and backpack, me with the diaper bag and a purse. In spite of their excitement, the kids had their listening ears on. We got checked in, went through the security line and were putting ourselves back together when we were reunited with Josh.
The terminal brought on a new level of awe and excitement for Claire and Conor. They loved looking at all the restaurants and deciding where to have breakfast. Claire saw a pretzel place and camped on that but was eventually persuaded to also partake of a Jamba juice as well. Conor was fascinated watching the planes take off and land (of course) and they loved the kids table and chairs at the southwest terminal. Kieran befriended the staff at the southwest counter and crawled all over our gate.
Ok…yes, its been three years since I’ve flown but when did Southwest change their boarding policy so that family boarding happens in between A & B instead of before the As. I used to fly somewhat often and I never griped about families having first priority. I mean, when flying with three little kids don’t you want all hands on deck? Not mom and some kids at one end of the plane traveling back and forth to visit dad and the other kids? Fortunately we managed to find seats together even if they weren’t right next to each other.
The kids did well on the flight. They were delighted by the beverage and snack service and in flight magazines. Of course Kieran, who rarely shows preference for a parent decided that now was the time to be mommy ish. So there we were, Josh in one seat across and up the aisle from us and the kids and I in another aisle snacking, coloring and passing the time. Josh turned to me and say, “sometimes, I feel useless.” Of course useless he is not. The highlight of the flight was the minor turbulence and landing. Conor especially squealed when we landed, he loved the feeling of going fast.
And so our Oregon Christmas adventure began.
Adventures with the family Smith 