So, my aunt J calls me up and says, “what are you doing next week?” “Nothing,” says I. “Come to Chicago!” says she.
A few days and a few thousand frequent flier miles later, we were on our way. My aunt got it into her head that she wanted the whole family to be together for a few days, and knew my mom was missing the kiddos (and me, I guess, but I’m OK playing second-fiddle to my children). Plus, the one sister (out of seven siblings) who does not live in Illinois was coming for a visit. I even ended up on her flight, giving her quite the surprise as she hustled down the aisle of the plane.
From that point forward, the kids were in cousin-heaven.
And we shocked the hell out of my mom when she came to get her sister and niece and nephew at the airport.
The entire visit was a crowd. Four of my mom’s six siblings (plus my grandmother) live within a two-block radius of my mom’s house. Needless to say, they congregate frequently and in large numbers.
We were all over the place. Playground, out for breakfast, meeting cousins. We took a trip downtown to Millennium Park and heard the Chicago Symphony play Vivaldi, marveled at the Bean, and splashed in the fountain.
We stayed out entirely too late every single night, but had a blast.
And then it was time to come home.
Had to wake the kids from nap to go to the airport.
Line of severe thunderstorms moving into the area.
Daniel complaining that he “doesn’t feel very good.”
Delayed by an hour before we got on the plane, then almost two more hours waiting on the tarmac before takeoff. Over-tired kids. Daniel’s throat hurts, so he refuses to swallow and soaks his shirt with drool. For as confident as I am about traveling solo with my kids, this flight was an absolute disaster. We did not make many new friends, by any means. Daniel finally dozed off on my lap as we landed (after 11pm), but woke up before we got off the plane and wailed all the way through the terminal, most of the time at baggage claim, and half of the drive home. At least by then I had M to help, but I was on the verge of tears, myself.
I seem to have some kind of Chicago-to-Boston travel curse. Nearly every time I have to fly back to Massachusetts, something highly unpleasant happens with my flight. An insane percentage of delays and cancellations, including multiple trips that were extended by a full day due to flight problems.
I can explain part of it by the fact that, when I’m booking the flights, it always seems like a good idea to book a later flight so that we can have extra time to our visit. WRONG. BAD IDEA. As painful as it can be to get up at 5AM (or earlier) for a crack-of-dawn flight, I have to say that they nearly always go smoothly. Too much backs up by the end of the day.
But, seriously, there’s still a curse at work. Guess I’m not meant to leave Chicago, huh?
At any rate, our surprise trip was generally a blast. The kids did incredibly well with all of the extra people and late bedtimes and general craziness. There was some overwhelmed tantruming, but not as much as you might expect. All in all, a success. I only wish it didn’t end on such a sour note.
How very impressive pulling off that last minute getaway! Seeing all those photos makes me very homesick for my own midwestern hometown. I grew up with tons of family around all the time, but my kids just don’t have that here. For a while I didn’t feel so bad being away. One of my mother’s sisters had moved to Texas and I had cousins in Arizona and Nebraska, but recently they’ve all moved back and I’m the only one way out on the east coast. And unlike you, we have no plans whatsoever of moving back. My husband has lived here all his life and has no desire to relocate. And most of the time, I’m okay with that. But seeing your photos makes me remember what’s out there.
Glad you had a great visit! I avoid plane travel to and through Chicago whenever possible. Nothing but trouble there!
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reanbean recently posted..One Year Later
I can see why you’re so tempted to move back. Flaws and all, seems like a pretty great atmosphere to raise kids in. And not having to fly to it sure would be nice. I hope you get to experience that one day, even if only for a few years. Kuddos to you for all your solo travel with the kids! Agustin seems to think he’d be fine traveling back from Spain alone with the two kids in the fall, butI would not dream of even letting him try it, so am planning my dissertation research trips so he doesn’t have to.
Tara recently posted..School’s Out for the Summer….School’s Out Forever (well, kind of)
What a great surprise for your mom! Glad you were able to make it home in one piece despite the obstacles in your way – I was raised by people who always fly early in the day, and since I don’t sleep much the night before I fly anyway (because someone has to pack!), we pick the early flights. Besides, traffic into Logan is so much easier early in the morning.
Hope Daniel feels better soon!
WorkingMom recently posted..Rock Lobster
Avoid Chicago at all costs. It seems like every time I fly there (or through there), my flight is delayed, cancelled, etc. I realize it’s hard when your ultimate destination is Chicago, but I hear the drive from Milwaukee isn’t bad…
I feel anxious just reading the second half of the post, but I also know how good it feels to be surrounded by family (even my tiny one). I’m sure it didn’t feel like it at 11:00 p.m. on the plane, but the gift you gave your kids (and mom!) of a few days with aunts, grandmothers and cousins made it all worth it I’m sure. And knowing you, those kids were right back on track and on schedule by noon the next day
The pictures look so deliriously happy – like perfect summer activities.
I haven’t been brave enough for airtravel with my two at all yet, so my hat’s off to you for being willing to do the last minute trip. We may have a chance to travel in August, but we’d fly into Atlanta and I KNOW that airport is cursed. I have never had a single on-time flight there, so the thought of that with two almost two-year-olds makes my head want to fall off.
As much as I know you like Boston, EVERY time I see your children with their cousins, I think to myself, “Move back. They are so happy and it’s just incredible so many of your Mom’s siblings live so close to one another.” I think that is becoming more rare these days.
If you need help packing when the time comes, I’ll make the trip up there to help!