International Travel Part A

So far, so Good.

We were up around 6:00am today. Then we were out of the house by 7am and on our way to Nashville. Traffic was good on our way down (thank goodness!) and we made it to the airport by 7:50.

Once we got there, we couldn't find a place remotely close to park, so that John could walk in with us. We drove around the airport loop probably 5 times... until we finally decided we would chance parking at the 'unloading' bay. BUT you can't leave your car unattended... so John still couldn't walk in with us.... and there was the small issue of unloading and getting myself, Aurora and our luggage into the airport all at the same time. This proved impossible. Luckily John had the brilliant idea to let me go check in, and check our bags - while he and Aurora guarded the car.

BRILLIANT MAN!

Yet when I got to the desk, I find out we aren't allowed 2 bags each (ludicrous! if you ask me - its an international flight! you should get 2 bags per ticked seat.) oh well. I paid the fee to take that bag along.

So after that we get on the plane, and Aurora does great! She was thrilled to be flying, and to be OVER the clouds! She did get a little bored on the hour long flight, there was no movie on that one, but we colored and read a book...

We only lost one crayon on that flight. That makes it was a huge success in my opinion! The poor purple crayon will be forever missed...

The decent was rough, for Aurora, she kept sticking her fingers in her ear.... and then I thought "Ah HA" and gave her a sucker - then all was well again.

Our Layover in Dulles is around 4 or 5 hours, so I haven't been rushed at all to get anyplace. I'm really glad I scheduled this break. Aurora and I had lunch, and coffee, then I bought some internet access and we played movies on Sesame Street. She napped, I relaxed (and played scrabble online with my mom), its been good. We will board our next flight in about an hour.

Aurora did wake up singing "I have to Poop, I have to Poop" She is so funny! (No, Really, I do think that is funny. This is the reason I am sharing that tidbit with you.)

There have been some interesting people walking through the airport today too - people watching is good sport here. There have been at least 15 preachers/pastors/white collar men of faith come through (i think there is a convention or maybe a huge mission?) there are 3 men in socks and sandals under long black robes, with thick black belts, long beards, and black hats. I tried 'googling' that description of a person and found nothing - and I'm too chicken as of yet to walk up and ask them what affiliation they have/are. There have been 4 very very hurried frazzled people that were late for their flight to Tokyo (but they made it!phew!)

So far so good, and we are checking into our next flight momentarily...

look for an update once we arrive!
-M

She's Got Style!!

and she dresses her self. and I love her, since I have to....

Just Another Day in this Life

Aurora walks up to me and says, "Momma, knock me out."

I pretend to punch her. She falls over. Then she says to Maddie, "My momma knocked me out."

Maddie says, "She can't. You're my best friend."

Aurora tells her, "Yes she can. SHE'S THE MOMMA!!!"


Oh I love this life I live.

Grandma is a Man!!

Aurora was telling me the other day, "My grandma is a man."
"What did you say?" I asked her.
She looks at me matter of factly, and repeats herself, "My Grandma is a MAN!"

Aurora and Grandma

I am baffled at that, so i correct her: "No sweetie your grandma is a Lady."

What followed was a few "nu uh" and "Uh huh" exchanges.

Then I tried a different approach. "Your daddy is a man. Your Gramps is a man. Your Granddad is a man. But your Grandma is a Lady."

Next I needed to be corrected..."Noooo mom! Dad is a SIR!! and My Grandma IS A MAN!"

Oh my sweet child. I love her. Grandma is, in fact, a Ma'am.

3rd Birthday Surprise.

When I took Aurora to the beach last week, I left John home alone. When I returned I find that he has gotten Aurora an early birthday gift.

Ta-Dah!! Her name is Mojo. She was born 15 July 2010, and is a full blood German Shepherd.

Aurora is smitten. I'm stuck. And John is a stinker.

That is what I get for taking a beach trip and leaving him home alone huh?

no I'm not sleeping!

Tonight at dinner, I sit a bowl full of spaghetti in front of Aurora. and just a minute or so later I look over to ask if she needs anything and get this:

So I ask her, "are you sleeping?"
"NO!" she tells me.


Then I notice she is snoring, so I ask "do you want to go lay down?"
"I'm not Sleeping!!!" she says


I do so love my gal and her stubborn ways.

growing up

Right now Aurora is in her room, across the hall from my crafty space, crying - LOUDLY! She is a determined one, set in her ways, with strong beliefs. Aurora is having this crying fit, because its nap time.

"I don't want to grow up" she says...

"I don't want you to either", I tell her, "I just want you to sleep for a little while."


She is using this defense a lot lately. "I don't want to grow up!" or conversely "But I WANT to grow up" & "If I don't _____, I won't grow up." I'm sure it sprang from an adult telling her that eating her veggies, drinking water, and taking good rests would make her grow up big and strong. Which is true. Those things will make her grow up big and strong. And she is using that same logic against me when I tell her that she cannot take her milk cup to the park (we drink water) or she cannot have a 3rd package of peanut butter crackers or she has to wait until after dinner to eat a cookie.

She's smart. I like how she has figured out that things can work both ways - although, I am sure that this will catch up to me somehow, someday.

Until Next Time... I'm just going to keep smiling, because I love this life.

Mommy, who did you marry?

That's the question I got today while we ate lunch.

Mommy who did you marry?

I married your daddy.

Why?

I love him and I married him.

Where?

At the beach. you've seen the pictures on the wall in the dining room.

Who will I marry?

Some one that you love and that loves you too.

Maddie Loves Me.

Yes she does, i guess you could marry her some day.

Yes, at the beach.

Ok. At the beach.

I think that it is wonderful that Aurora thinks of her best friend as the person that she wants to marry. That is what I hope happens for her in the future, like, when she's 30... I hope she meets the One and falls in love, and has her best friend and partner and co-conspirator for life. Just like me.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

I have a hope and goal to keep a log of all the wonderful funny things Aurora and her friends say. I write some down in a book for Aurora when she's older... and others some times I just laugh and they pass out of our life. I would like to catch them and share with you as well.

Just yesterday.... I was telling her that we needed to go inside

I said "Aurora, our time's up. We need to go inside"

and she turns to me then says, "No momma, our time's DOWN!"

or last week

Aurora was being the mommy and told me to sit in time out.

I said "no mommy, I don't want to!" 

She says, "yes, do it right now."

to which I replied "oh bite my butt!"

This was not appropriate, I know that, and I immediately regretted it... because that was the moment she started towards me

chomping her teeth

I sat down in time out.

Oh there are always more, she keeps me on my toes and smiling!