Our California Adventure - Part 1 - Getting There

Cast of characters (and boy are they quite the characters):

Poppy Rocks - Grandpa B, Birthday Boy

Mamie Rocks - Grandma B, playmate to all children

Rachel - sister of Mark, amazing and patient Auntie

Mark - husband/pilot/child coraller extraordinaire

Jo - Jonas, 1st born, keeper of the rules

Ice - Isaac, 2nd born, hugger of anyone who makes eye contact

El - Elliot, 3rd born, lover of life

Our journey begins at 4:30 Friday morning with the boys dressed, brushed, and sitting in the car ready to go while Mom is still getting dressed and rechecking everything one more time. Actually, lets back up and start from the night before- Packing Night.   



The excitement in the air almost pushed off the roof. Try and  picture three little boys running up and down the stairs, stuffing bags and backpacks with all the necessary items for a California experience. Down the stairs they bounded with clothes, flip flops, and toys. El had 2 backpacks he was trying to fill along with the roll aboard he and I were sharing. Mark and I were also flitting around getting the final laundry loads switched and our stuff ready. As a result, we weren't supervising the boys' packing process. We walked into the living room and saw laid out Jo's big feather pillow and blanket, Isaac's blanket, books, and all of Elliot's toys, along with Cheetah. You remember Cheetah right? He came to the drive in with us. He's not small, he's not flexible, and he WILL NOT fit in the limited space we have for our journey.



Cheetah at the drive in.

It is at this point that our first tears flow. "But I can't sleep without Cheetah!!!" wails El. Oh boy, this could be a long night. As he slowly comes to grips with reality, Elliot kneels on the ground forehead to forehead with Cheetah, "I'm going to miss you!" Seeing this exchange, the other boys start in. "What about my pillow?" Jonas, "I need my blanket to be comfortable" Isaac. In the end we compromised with a stuffed dog for El, a small feather pillow for Jo, and Isaac was able to fit his desired blanket in with his clothes. First crisis averted and we were off to bed.

Because of Mark's travel benefits, we can fly "space available". It's great that we fly virtually free, but it doesn't guarantee any seats, thus making this an Adventure! We arrive at the airport and muddle our way through security with still high hopes of all flying together. Our first attempt is flying to LA. At the last minute, we are told that there are 3 seats available (we need 4 with Mark in the jump seat). It's still early enough that we pass on that to wait for the next plane.

While we wait we watch airplanes...

We play with our food...

We ride the escalator...

 

















(I actually made them ride it again so I could take another picture. The first try, Elliot was too fast in running down the stairs.)

The second attempt to fly out of Sea-Tac also ends in disappointment. No problem, Mark and I have a plan. When distraction and entertainment fail- feed the children!!!

Also, a little game of Go Fish always helps morale...



A little tangent here: while watching airplanes, Isaac spots a FedEx plane. "If it fits, it ships!" he blurts out with great enthusiasm. Um...wrong company but right idea. For the rest of the trip to entertain ourselves Mark or I would randomly yell out "If it fits, it ships". Yeah, I know- we're dorks!

Well, the Go Fish must have worked because we have seats on the next flight to San Francisco. It's not our final destination, but it IS California and a big step forward. Even better, we have seats grouped together. I choose to ride with Isaac and Elliot. Mark and Jonas sit two rows behind and we are on our way.

Look at those happy faces- and puppy too!

We land in San Francisco around noon. Do you remember that we started at 4:30 AM??? I do! After a quick lunch we start trying to find a flight to Santa Barbara. Down the terminal we walk. No luck, back up the terminal to another gate we go. Hmm, another no. Maybe try going to LA would be better. Nope! To give Mark a moment to think, I take the boys into the bookstore and read a couple books. Let's pretend we're at Barnes and Noble or the library without a care in the world. Let's pretend that we're not tired, cranky, and ready to be done at the airport. Let's pretend!

It works, until we leave the bookstore and El collapses with disappointment because he couldn't buy something- anything!!! "All I want is that puzzle" he says over and over and over again. With each repeated statement I hear his voice working it's way deeper into an exhausted tantrum. This is where the fine art of distraction comes in- literally. Elliot had brought a notebook so he "could sketch". I open it up and start drawing a blue cat (because cats, flowers and trees are the only things I can draw). I ask him who he thinks this cat is, and he gets involved in an elaborate story of a cat spilling blue paint all over herself, but blaming it on the dog. (Those dogs are always the troublemakers.) Phew, voices are back to normal speaking levels and the eyes are mostly dried of tears. Because Mark is in uniform, we felt it imperative to keep a higher standard that included no wrestling, no yelling, and all around good behavior. This is a high criteria for adults let alone tired 11, 9, and 6 year olds. We were surprised again and again how our children kept positive attitudes and listened very well with only a couple exceptions.

During our cat/dog story time, Mark left to check a flight to Burbank. Still not Santa Barbara, but close enough that we could rent a car and drive if needed. He came rushing back with 5 seat assignments! Hallelujah, we were moving again!!!!! It is 4:00 when we board, 4 hours in San Fran, almost 12 hours into our trek. There are 4 seats together for Mark and the boys, and 1 seat in the back- ME. Ahhh, I sink into my seat. Up front I hear my wonderful children talking with each other. This won't be so bad. Except-

The gate agent boards the plane. "There seems to be a mix up. Our computers were down earlier today, and we don't have a crew for this plane." Noooooooooo!

Everyone gets off the plane. Mark has decided to check the crew computer and see what info he can find. I am left standing, laughing. My poor children lay at my feet and ask what I'm laughing about. "It's been so ridiculous that it's almost funny."

"It's not funny Mom."

Mark comes back from the crew lounge and we are walking again, this time to a flight to Santa Barbara. The gate agent has found 4 seats and we are handed yet another group of seat tickets. We have to be the last to board because of our "non-rev" status. As we board, she tells me that she has to take one ticket back. Okay. We choose Jonas to stay behind with Mark while Ice, El and I board our last plane of the day.

On the plane we are served complimentary juice. Elliot turns to me, "We're so spoiled today" says the boy who only 3 hours earlier was crying over the unbought puzzle/book.

The plane lands and we are met by Rachel and Mamie Rocks. I see their wonderful, smiling faces and feel like I can take a deep breath. The weather is beautiful and they tell me spaghetti is at the house simmering. What a day!



Our new home for the next couple of days.
What a wonderful sight after a long day of traveling.