As my parents can attest, I don't like to put people out. So when Tanji called and offered to watch Mabes so I could pack, my first thought was, "oh, that's not necessary, we'll be fine. I'll save the offer for when it's really needed." But then I started thinking about how nice it could be, and how much more fun Mabes would have playing with Tanji's kids than running errands with me, so I took her up on the offer. I was actually able to pack early and get all my laundry and errands done. It was so nice to leave for a trip and not have a knot in my stomach from being rushed. I'm very appreciative when a friend watches Mabes when I have a dentist or doctor's appointment, so when someone volunteers to watch Mabes for something unnecessary? It was huge, and made for a fantastic start to the trip.
2. Get your kid pumped up.
On Tuesday morning, Dave woke up Mabes just before 7 so we could get her dressed and rush out to the car. She yelled something about chicken (must have been having a dream), and generally doesn't like to be woken up. But then suddenly realizing what day it was, she threw her arms in the air and said "today we're going to get on the airplane to go see Ainsleigh and Dono!" She happily got dressed quickly and hurried out to the car. Very un-Mabes-like.
3. Choose your breakfast wisely.
If you're faced with a to-go breakfast choice of a Chex bar or Fiber One bar, you might think the Fiber One bar would be the healthier, more filling choice. But if you haven't had one in a while, choosing one on the day of travel is not the best idea. That, combined with all the carbonation they give you, make for very bloated and uncomfortable traveling. (Dave pointed out that they don't give it to you unless you ask. But hey, if American Airlines charges for snacks but gives you the whole can during beverage service, you bet I'm going to get my complimentary Diet Dr. Peppers!)
4. Take advantage of fun things at the airport...but be aware of the time.
We may have been a little late boarding the second flight because Mabes was having so much fun riding the train between terminals at the Dallas airport. But we were in a later boarding group and we totally made it, so it was fine.
5. Despite your best efforts, there are always things you could have packed.
See post below. Also, before we left, I checked weather reports and was prepared for warm weather, cold weather, and thunderstorms. I wasn't prepared for this:
We landed in Denver just a few minutes after my Mom, so she was waiting for us at the gate. Mabes was very excited to see her and squeeze her, and then we were off to get our bags and see the cousins. Since then, they've just been running around, playing to exhaustion. My Mom posted some pictures of swimming, and here are a couple of others:
Heading outside for a backyard camping trip:
Proving that jumping on a trampoline is made exponentially better with fluffy skirts:
And these are the other pictures I wasn't able to post the other day. Another Easter dress pic:
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| From Mabes & Co |
And a skirt I made for Mabes with my new sewing machine, courtesy of Dave's grandma. Mabes picked out the fabric herself and loves her new twirly skirt. Thanks, Granny!
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| From Mabes & Co |
3 comments:
Haaaa I love the skirt-jumping pics. And good job on the skirt you made, it's super cute! I wish I could be there to squeeze everyone simultaneously.
My mom calls anything from Fiber One "The ____ that makes you poo" So, the granola bar that makes you poo. It all stems from Tina Fey talking about the yogurt that makes you poo.
Totally love the puffy skirt and hello, I didn't know you could sew! That is such a cute skirt. I need to learn someday, but don't think it will happen any time soon.
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