I must confess, I am a novice at "flying with kids". For several years, while traveling for work, I have watched moms go through the airport with 2 or 3 kids. Although I have mostly admired them because they have all seemed pretty patient and easy going, I secretly shake in fear at the thought of dragging 5 kids through any type of security.
But, the time to face my fears has come. Should the airport be anything like our trip to WalMart yesterday (and as an aside, let me be the first to say that I constantly forget how agonizingly painful WalMart is with 5 kids. I mean honestly, I get that women forget the pain of childbirth and end up cursing themselves with 5 children who are only beautiful- or even bearable- when they are sleeping, but however in the world do I forget that they are total monsters in WalMart? Every time, I think, "We'll just run in and grab a few things and it will be fine." And 2 hours later, when I have finally peeled Evan off the video games, wrestled Nate out from under the cart, had my feet removed at the ankles by Tyler's awesome cart navigation skills, and Ellie has been reduced to tears because I have said no for the 656th time to countless items of crap ala WalMart, I remember vividly why I always wait until they are asleep to navigate the madness) I will park the car in long term parking and be arrested for child abuse before we ever see the terminal. Is it so hard to just follow simple directions like, "stay with me" and "stop tipping the cart"? OK, so tomorrow I imagine it will be more like, "stay with me" and "stop setting off all of the security alarms before you get us arrested!" but, you get my point.
In addition, we are only going for a couple of days, so I have to veto 95% of what the kids want to pack. For some reason, they believe that shorts can not be worn twice without washing them. And that, my friends, explains a LOT about the laundry!
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7 comments:
Hi Melissa, I thought I should stop lurking and comment. I was laughing so hard I was choking when I read this post, you are too funny, but I also know this to be true with my own kids and Wal-
Mart...heck, in any store! I stop by your blog just about everyday, I really enjoy your perspective and your writing, and it's been so fun to read about your beautiful family! (I think the last time I saw you was about 10 years ago?) Have fun on your trip, and I hope you find some time to relax, even if it's just for 5 minutes!
Thank you for all of the compliments!
Embarrassingly, I have wracked my ever-shrinking brain and I don't remember any Heathers in the 10 years past range. Are you related to me? Of course, now the curiosity is killing me. . .I'm sure you will remind me of how we know each other and I will feel like an idiot. I'm begging you to make me feel like and idiot! And hurry! I can't stand the wondering. . .
so sorry, I forgot to add, Heather (formerly Stevenson), as in Lor's cousin. The last time I saw you, I ran into you and Dave in SLC as you were heading to a wedding.
Funny. Remind me to tell you sometime what it's like moving to a different country and how that worked with just two kids. I'm pretty sure the train ride from the airport to Delft has scarred my oldest for life.
When you said, "A few things. . ." I didn't realize that you were going to stock my fridge for the next week. Thanks for the fresh veggies--have a blast on your trip!
This was great...the last time I went shopping with all of my children was in the year 1987...I think...we were in the grocery store and doing okay until we hit the cereal aisle...I was weeping when we finally barrelled out of there...WEEPING!
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