The "Brief Notes about our trip to California" edition:
1.
Flying with 3 kids ages 3 and under is insane. The greater the number of young children, the greater the chance that someone will
a) have to "go potty!" while the seatbelt light is on,
b) fall asleep right after saying that and pee on the seat,
c) freak out while looking out the window immediately followed by demanding to stay there
d) giggle at the people around you through the cracks in the seat
e) all of the above.
2.
Time zone changes proved more challenging with the kids this time. I'm not sure if it's simply because they are older, or if it reflects their ability to read my subconscious assumption I will be sleeping some on vacation.
3.
It does not really matter how the kids behave on the plane - there will be someone who congratulates you on how well-behaved they are and how beautiful/sweet/smart/charming those 3 perfect angels are. There will also be someone who gives you a condescending look or makes an easy-to-overhear snide comment about why they don't have kids. The truth is, you will walk off the plane and never see any of those people again. Be thankful for that and move on with life.
4.
Kids are very accepting and they love you anyways. People or situations are only awkward if you make them. We had the pleasure of going to the park with an old friend who is deaf with Alzheimer's and a German accent. We could have tried telling them that Gram's friend talks different, or that she can't hear them talk, or that she'll ask the same questions often. With older kids these preparations might be very helpful, but too much information for little ones can be intimidating, and we would run the risk of putting our own concerns on them. Instead, Anastasia took our dear friend's hand and chatted away. Both of them glowed with smiles of pure joy in the moment.
5.
I miss good Mexican food. really.
6.
There are so many people who shower us with love. The continent is very large when it separates us from our Cali family, and twice a year is not a lot of time to spend with people you love. Each time we visit, though, we are surrounded by amazing people who love us so much and don't hold the distance against us. This might seem like a silly thought, but the truth is that each time I am overwhelmed by the warmth our family and friends exude. This was the first time all of them (except for Gram) got to meet Joey, and it was a particularly exciting party. I am blessed to have 2 places to call home.
7.
California has perfect weather. We played outside every single day. I could get used to that.
Flying with 3 kids ages 3 and under is insane. The greater the number of young children, the greater the chance that someone will
a) have to "go potty!" while the seatbelt light is on,
b) fall asleep right after saying that and pee on the seat,
c) freak out while looking out the window immediately followed by demanding to stay there
d) giggle at the people around you through the cracks in the seat
e) all of the above.
2.
Time zone changes proved more challenging with the kids this time. I'm not sure if it's simply because they are older, or if it reflects their ability to read my subconscious assumption I will be sleeping some on vacation.
3.
It does not really matter how the kids behave on the plane - there will be someone who congratulates you on how well-behaved they are and how beautiful/sweet/smart/charming those 3 perfect angels are. There will also be someone who gives you a condescending look or makes an easy-to-overhear snide comment about why they don't have kids. The truth is, you will walk off the plane and never see any of those people again. Be thankful for that and move on with life.
4.
Kids are very accepting and they love you anyways. People or situations are only awkward if you make them. We had the pleasure of going to the park with an old friend who is deaf with Alzheimer's and a German accent. We could have tried telling them that Gram's friend talks different, or that she can't hear them talk, or that she'll ask the same questions often. With older kids these preparations might be very helpful, but too much information for little ones can be intimidating, and we would run the risk of putting our own concerns on them. Instead, Anastasia took our dear friend's hand and chatted away. Both of them glowed with smiles of pure joy in the moment.
5.
I miss good Mexican food. really.
6.
There are so many people who shower us with love. The continent is very large when it separates us from our Cali family, and twice a year is not a lot of time to spend with people you love. Each time we visit, though, we are surrounded by amazing people who love us so much and don't hold the distance against us. This might seem like a silly thought, but the truth is that each time I am overwhelmed by the warmth our family and friends exude. This was the first time all of them (except for Gram) got to meet Joey, and it was a particularly exciting party. I am blessed to have 2 places to call home.
7.
California has perfect weather. We played outside every single day. I could get used to that.
A big thanks to Jen @ Conversion Diary for her wonderful, funny, insightful blog, and for hosting Quick Takes!
Perhaps my daughter is a bit possessive of her chocolate? I can't imagine where she gets that!
