Earning their wings

On our first flight to Hilton Head, the Delta pilots were so sweet with the kids.  They let Kevin take them in the cockpit before flight time. The kids got to sit in the pilots' seats, wear their hats and give the all clear
thumbs up!
 


Here the pilot is explaining the button they push if there is an emergency, you know like if the plane is on fire.  He seriously said that to the kids.  Odd choice Mr. Pilot, odd choice.   Kids were totally unphased by it though. 

Hilton Head 2013 - Lawton Stables

In Sea Pines, there is this great stable and small farm where children can go on pony rides.  It is a quick and fun activity.

Here is Grace harassing a poor chicken.

Andrew is discussing something with the horse.  I couldn't understand.  Reminded me of his visit with the Ox at Betty & Dave's farm.

I thought the kids may be a little nervous, but nope, they were just very excited.  Even Mae got to sit on the pony for a quick photo!

I love this picture of Andrew.  The expression on his face is just so him.  He is super excited, but trying to stay cool.  I love his little hand gripping the saddle.  So sweet.

Grace had a ball too - but soon she will be too big for the ponies! 

Hilton Head 2013 - More Pictures

The weather was not great, but we did get some beach time.  When the sun was out it was nice, when the sun was not out it was sweater weather!

 

One day we headed over to Harbor Town and the kids played on the playground and climbed trees.

 

Kevin also took them on a nature hike in the forest preserve.  They saw an alligator and turtles, and climbed to the top of the observation tower...which I guess is too short to observe anything.

Andrew's favorite outfit on this trip was his orange polo and seersucker shorts.  Here he was so excited that he and Kevin were matching, that he had me take a picture.  

 Pretty Gracie.

 

 

At the beach, Andrew would literally FREAK OUT if sand got in his eyes.  So we bought him some sunglasses.  It was so cute when I took him to the store.  I never, ever buy my kids stuff in a store when they ask.  Really ever.  So they never even ask anymore.  After we picked out these glasses, Andrew put them back on the rack and said, "I get those for my birthday later."  When I told him I would actually buy them for him right then, he was really, really confused.  

Climbing Mount Everest

Traveling with three young children is just like climbing Mt Everest.

It requires a lot of preparation.
A lot of gear.
A lot of courage.
A lot of faith.
A lot of patience.
And a little bit of foolish optimism.

The journey up the mountain is tough, but you have the reward to look forward to. For Mt. Everest climbers, it is the panoramic views at the summit.  For parents, it is the great moments of family fun and thrilled children.


You delight in the simple things that go your way.

You had enough oxygen.
Your three car seats all fit in your rental car.

You don't get trapped into a storm.
Your flight isn't canceled.

You didn't fall into a crevasse.
Your child waited until you were off the plane to have explosive diarrhea (thanks Mae!).

And just like Everest climbers, after you experience the reward of the climb, you still have to survive the descent... AKA THE RETURN FLIGHT. That is where most accidents occur - where most parents lose their mind.

Wait, I forgot the "Sherpas."  When climbing Mt. Everest, climbers employ locals to help carry their gear to base camp. Sherpas. Moms and Dads are Sherpas. On our recent trip, I was hauling two car seats, two carry-on bags and pushing the stroller.  (Kevin would like me to note that he was hauling both suitcases and various ipods, ipads, iphones and our roku.  He is quite strong.)  I asked Andrew to carry his own booster seat, and he refused, "I just carry my backpack Mommy." Now I know how those Himalayans feel.  You are critical to the journey, but you don't fully enjoy it.  Its not about you!

Reaching the summit of Everest is an impressive accomplishment.  Deserving of respect and admiration.  Traveling with young children deserves the same respect.  Err, almost.


*I realize my knowledge of mountain climbing lingo is extensive.  To those of you who are curious...  No, I actually have never climbed Everest.  Or any mountain. Hills?  Not those either.  However, there are some serious inclines on my walk to the local coffee shop.

Hilton Head 2013

#Hashtag

So I am always late to the party with pretty much everything.  Joined facebook in 2008.  Got a iphone 5 years after they came out (still a love/hate relationship, we can discuss another time).  I signed up for instagram a few months ago and, finally, twitter last month.  And now I understand the value of the hashtag.  And I love it.  Or #ILoveIt. 

The hashtag allows me to be witty or funny (or at least try to be).  We all know I find myself hilarious.

When I am arguing with "someone" over text.  Maybe I will respond with #jerk.  I am not really calling that "someone" a jerk, I am just tagging their interaction with me in the category of "jerk".  A little passive aggressive.  A lot awesome. 

I realized maybe my love of the hashtag has gone too far when I took this picture and almost loaded it on instagram with the caption "#pelican".  Which I found sooooo funny for some reason.

Don't get me wrong.  I am not going to stop using the hashtag.  I am just warning those lucky few that interact with me on a regular basis that this is going to get annoying.  Really annoying. 

Grace is even like, "Mom, you are so 2012."