We're Back, Thank Goodness After the Last Flight!

So it's been forever since I posted, but I actually have a very good excuse... We were in Florida! Since we were busy the entire time we were visiting my parents, it will take me a few posts to get caught up. Let's start with the flights...

Since it worked out so well last year, I decided to ask Rachel and one of her friends to come down with us again. She seemed to think it was a good deal (free flights to Florida in exchange for help at the airports and on the plane) and I thought it was a perfect solution to get down to Florida w/o Craig having to fly us down and back. Rachel and CJ were awesome the entire time we were in route, taking care of luggage, watching and entertaining the boys, etc. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them.

The way down to Florida was nearly problem free. Yes we had active little people to entertain, but they were really good. While on the plane, each of us had an isle seat, right behind each other. Luckily our seat neighbors were awesome, fetching toys, playing games, and completely understanding. After we arrived (a bit early), we picked up our luggage and rental car and were on our way to my mom and dad's condo. Really, I couldn't have asked for anything to go more smoothly.

Unfortunately the way home did not go as well. It started with a stressful comedy of errors on my part, such as going to the wrong terminal (who knew AirTransit and AirTran were not the same airline... I do NOW!) and having to take 8.5 lbs out of my suitcase at curbside check-in so I wouldn't be charged and additional $50.00.

The actual flight wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't good either. All of us had isle seats, but my assignment was 4 rows behind Rachel and CJ. I had the grumpiest man sitting next to me, who complained to his wife the entire flight. When departing the plane I said to him "Sorry about all the commotion we caused while in the air [I didn't have much crying, (definitely less than 5 minutes total, which in my opinion wasn't too bad considering I had three rotating toddlers) but did have lots of activity (snacks, books, projects galore)]. And what was my neighbor's reply? "NO YOU ARE NOT!!!" Since I was caught completely off guard my only response was my jaw on the floor, but luckily the man in front of us defended my boys and I, stating something along the lines of "You've got to be kidding. Those boys did great and she (me) did everything she could have possibly done to keep them quiet and entertained."

It was an awesome trip (as will be evident in the upcoming posts), but I am definitely glad that I have over 350 days before my three little toddlers and I get back on a plane!