Since I didn't want to drive 12 hours alone with 2 toddlers, the kids and I boarded a plane in Asheville, NC. We really lucked out - Asheville is a super nice little airport and the people were very friendly and helpful. They even gave Brent a gate pass so he could help me get through security and wait with us.
The first 15 minutes of the flight were, unfortunately, very eventful. We didn't buy Fi a seat (bad enough that we had to get one for Will) and I tried to prep her by telling her "Go airplane, sit on momma's lap." She even repeated it for me. However, as soon as the stewardess told me to put her in my lap, she started screaming, "NO!!! Fi down! ME DOWN!" I know in her head she was thinking, "If Will gets HIS own seat, there is NO way I'm sitting in Momma's lap." Good times. The people around us were very understanding, but I did hear some guy in the back as for earplugs . . . I don't know if the Tylenol kicked in or if she just got worn out, but before we even taxied down the runway, she had her head on my shoulder and had calmed down. Thank goodness! Will was such a good boy throughout all of this too - he listened and didn't get upset with Fi screaming (normally, that sets him off and I have two screamers).
We hopped off the plane in Detroit and were pleasantly surprised to see Mom and Dad waiting for us. They also managed to get a gate pass and I was ever so thankful - we came into one of the far away C gates and it was a long haul for us to reach the baggage claim (ours were the last 2 bags on the carousel). We headed up to GB for the rest of the day and had a good time.
Sunday, we headed over to Maxwell's for the day. We all had a nice time playing with everyone and after Fi's nap, the kids and I headed over to Ann and Jason's. They were nice enough to have us over even though Ann wasn't feeling well. Even though it was way too short, it was nice to catch up and to see just how big Sylvia has gotten. Fi's still working on sharing - both toys and her mommy - so that kept us all busy. Hopefully next time, everyone will be healthy and we'll have more time to spend together.
Monday, Mom, the kids and I headed to PA to visit with G-Gpa (Great-grandpap) and Great Grandma. We had a nice relaxing visit and totally took over Grandpap's little house (see all the toys). The weather was really nice so the kids were able to dig in G-Gpa's garden and "climb" his apple tree, walk over to the barn at Great Grandma's to feed the horses and see the cows, and swing on Great Grandma's porch swing.
We also prepped for Easter at G-Gpa's by dying eggs. The kids hadn't done this before and it was pretty funny (video to follow). Will did a great job getting the eggs into the dye with the spoon; Fi just used her hands. But, her favorite part was putting the stickers on. Mom couldn't get them off the sheet of paper fast enough. And Fi wanted to put all the stickers on one egg (the yellow one). When we told her to put some on a different egg, she took stickers off the yellow one to do it. :)Like most of our visits, this one was too short too but Thursday we needed to head back to MI. I spent Good Friday trying to get a deal on a new car (our lease is up in May and MI has better deals than SC) but struck out. I checked on our little house in RO and everything looks good. After that, I went to my favorite Children's Place in Great Lakes Crossing (it's just the best one ever) and spent some money - it was so warm in MI (surprisingly) that I actually had to buy the kids short sleeve shirts and shorts.
When I came back, Will told me all about Grandpa chasing the train from GB to Holly and that there was a blue box car, and showed me the wooden boat he and Grandpa built (with nails and everything).
Saturday we went over to the Maxwells again. Since the weather was so nice, we played outside in the yard and in the shed (Will loves the shed). When it got a little cooler out, Will moved inside to play with Granpa's train (a Lionel one with the switch box) and Fi kept trying to get a hold of one of the cats (didn't happen).While Fi was napping, Will, Jerry, and I went over to Holly and Chris's to have a drink at their new bar. It's very nice (our friend, Kevin, did the work) and Will enjoyed being served (apple juice with a stirry straw). It was Holly's birthday, so we headed back to Carlene and Jerry's for tacos and more fun with the kids. We were sad to say good-bye but we know we'll get to see them at the end of May.
Easter Sunday the kids were ready to go. We had told them the night before that the bunny had left eggs and a basket, so they stormed into the living room with Fi saying, "Easter Egg, Easter Egg." Will found both baskets and 9 out of 11 eggs. Fi actually found the last 2 eggs. She was more interested in the eggs and the jellybeans inside of them than she was in her basket. Will, however, really liked the Moon Sand and kite from his. It was a good morning and there was just enough wind outside for us to actually fly the kite (a little bit).After that, we decided to go to the park for a bit. Fi had a blast on the circle slide. After the park, we looked for the train but only got to see the cars. Will was sort-of Ok with that (we told him the engines had a holiday).
We had a very early start on Monday to head back home. Mom and Dad drove us to DTW and helped get us checked in. Unfortunately, they couldn't get a gate pass this time so we said our good-byes and I headed into security alone. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't terrible either. It was mostly just really slow as there was only one scanner for families (they said for the strollers, but whatever). We got to our gate and onto the plane with no issue. I was getting prepared for Fi's screamfest during take off, but a bag of M &M's saved me. Every time she wanted down or to turn around, she got a couple of M's. Great trick!
They were both well behaved on the flight and during landing, she fell asleep. I was very fortunate as the steward and the pilot (it was a little plane) helped me get all my bags and kids off the plane and down the gangway. It was very, very nice of them. Brent was there at the gate to meet us (LOVE the Asheville airport) and we headed home.
We're glad to be back with our daddy again (on the plane Monday, Fi was saying "Miss Daddy" - it was so cute) and getting back to normal. It was a nice visit with everyone and we hope to see them all again very soon.
