The Flight
Did you know it was possible to run laps on an airplane?
It is if you're a toddler with no patience to sit on your mother's lap for three hours.
I knew it would be difficult traveling with Hendrick, who turned 17 months old last week. But I didn't expect a workout 32,000 feet above ground as well.
I thought I'd be able to carry him up and down the aisle, like I did when we flew in the fall, but either the aisle shrunk or he got bigger (I think it was a little of both) and I didn't want him kicking anyone in the head! So, rather than subjecting the other passengers to his blood-curling screams we let him explore in between the quiet moments of reading, coloring, snacking and window gazing.
My boy made quite a few friends during our flight to Florida Wednesday. Others, well, didn't find it so charming when he tugged on the wires of their MP3 players or leaned over their arm rest to watch their portable DVDs.
I'm not going to complain, though. We missed our 10 a.m. flight because, we were told at 9:20 a.m. when we tried to check our luggage, we were too late. But we were able to fly standby 90 minutes later.
Before the plane took off, the man who was seated next to us moved to an empty seat in the next row so Hendrick could have his own seat. I'm still not sure if his action was based on kindness or self-preservation. He mentioned he had grandchildren. Either way, we were grateful for the extra room.
Flying with kids is never easy. Some people seem to get that. One older lady who chatted with me between laps said she hoped I was headed to a place where I'd get some rest.
"I'm going to visit my mother," I said with a smile. The thought of my mother's presence gave me a renewed sense of energy. Sweet relief was waiting in the West Palm Beach terminal.
A huge grin appeared on the lady's face. "Oh, that's good," she said.
We came to Florida to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. What better gift could I bring her than her beloved grandson?
Watching them play and rediscover each other this week made me realize all the aggravation to get here was worth it.
It is if you're a toddler with no patience to sit on your mother's lap for three hours.
I knew it would be difficult traveling with Hendrick, who turned 17 months old last week. But I didn't expect a workout 32,000 feet above ground as well.
I thought I'd be able to carry him up and down the aisle, like I did when we flew in the fall, but either the aisle shrunk or he got bigger (I think it was a little of both) and I didn't want him kicking anyone in the head! So, rather than subjecting the other passengers to his blood-curling screams we let him explore in between the quiet moments of reading, coloring, snacking and window gazing.
My boy made quite a few friends during our flight to Florida Wednesday. Others, well, didn't find it so charming when he tugged on the wires of their MP3 players or leaned over their arm rest to watch their portable DVDs.
I'm not going to complain, though. We missed our 10 a.m. flight because, we were told at 9:20 a.m. when we tried to check our luggage, we were too late. But we were able to fly standby 90 minutes later.
Before the plane took off, the man who was seated next to us moved to an empty seat in the next row so Hendrick could have his own seat. I'm still not sure if his action was based on kindness or self-preservation. He mentioned he had grandchildren. Either way, we were grateful for the extra room.
Flying with kids is never easy. Some people seem to get that. One older lady who chatted with me between laps said she hoped I was headed to a place where I'd get some rest.
"I'm going to visit my mother," I said with a smile. The thought of my mother's presence gave me a renewed sense of energy. Sweet relief was waiting in the West Palm Beach terminal.
A huge grin appeared on the lady's face. "Oh, that's good," she said.
We came to Florida to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. What better gift could I bring her than her beloved grandson?
Watching them play and rediscover each other this week made me realize all the aggravation to get here was worth it.
Labels: flight
