Funny faces

Sometimes, nothing is funnier than a smashed face. I found the boys mashing their faces against the mesh in coleman's pack and play. Of course, the more I laughed the greater the performance got. I remember my sister and I hard-core-stomach-ugly-face laughing when we would put panty hose on our heads...perhaps I should pick up a pair of Legs nylons for our next plane ride.

Keys to successful airplane trips w kids: laughter, low expectations, and most importantly LOLLIPOPS!

We just landed about about four hours ago from our beachtrip to texas. Being a seasoned traveler with young children, I have concluded there are some things that are a MUST. They are as follows:

1. LAUGHTER
A sense of humor is a must when traveling with young children. Why should I be surprised when Keller (after being asked for hours at the airport) announces he has to poop as we are taxing so the plane stops moving and waits for him to do business (you should have seen that stare from the stewardess). I wanted to tell her "lady, better to wait 30 seconds than have to clean up the mess on the seat..."
My great idea of bringing crayons on the trip (both boys actually liked them during our trip) ended up Coleman drawing on the barf bag for 1.245 seconds, then screaming bloody murder when I would not let him draw on the tray table.

2. LOW EXPECTATIONS
When I first started travelling with Keller, my expectations were way too high. I pictured him being content in my arms, or when older reading books and coloring. Not so much now. Presently, if no one outside of family is exposed to the boys poop and if we all land and still love each other and want to vacate together...I consider this a truly successful flight.

My expectations for the airlines as well have shifted extremely to the low end. I dont know if it is me or what, but when I was single and married without kids...all my flights were ontime, taxing for 45 minutes was unheard of, i dont recall ever hearing "well folks, looks like we've got about 25 planes ahead of us for take off...," and the beverage and snack option was enjoyable. Now, I expect delays on at least one of our flights, taxing for hours is a definite, and the beverage is me shot-gunning my water before little hands can get to it.

3. LOLLIPOPS
I caved...bring on the sugar is my song on days of travel. You want a lollipop kid? here, take 14. This was hands down the best part of my day. Both boys with "pops" in hands and mom relaxing for the first time all day.

number two times two

This past weekend, Jeremy's youngest brother, Andy, FINALLY decided to join us wiser ones down the marriage journey. The White clan gathered in Greenville,SC to celebrate. We were at a great hotel which the boys LOVED. Friday the guys played golf, which translates into Mommy watches boys all day. We had just finished enjoying playing outside in the 97 degree heat, arrived to our rooms sweaty and tired, ready for afternoon naps. The boys earlier, had discovered this mirrored closet w sliding doors, which they played "cabin" in. Endless minutes of entertainment. I gave each of them a granola bar and they played "cabin" while I got their sleeping arrangements settled. Coleman was also diaper-free (i promise for no more than 2 minutes) bc i was looking for his butt paste. This is when I noticed something on Colemans foot, that looked suspiciously like a granola bar, yet much smoother..hmmmm, not looking good. Upon further inspection, my fear was true. Coleman w granola bar in one hand and smeared poop on a foot...I looked for the treasure and found it in the closet w footprints all over the nasty hotel rug. Ok, I blame myself, I should have know not to leave him bare for even a minute. Unfortunately, I forgot my carpet and steam cleaner that I usually always carry w me on vacation...so I clean up as best I can. In the middle of my cleaning, Keller tells me he has to poop. He just went about an hour ago by himself, so I tell him "go poop then." He leaves then comes back about 20 sec later. Standing no more than 5 yards from me, he tells me again "moooommmmmmy I have to (grunt grunt grunt). By the time I turn around ( I am on my hands and knees cleaning up younger white boy poop) he had not only produced a nice pile about 6 inches high, but thought it would be a good idea to intercept the product with his hand. Basically, by the time I ran over, throwing down coleman's poopy washcloth, his entire hand, butt and leg were COVERED. I immediately throw him in the shower yet the "chunks" (if you will) were so big they would not go down the drain so I am throwing them into the toilet, asking Keller why he did not listen to me, keller is screaming, coleman is...well not sure, forgot about him for the time being...and jeremy is likely somewhere on the 17th hole....I think this fall, I'll be taking up golf.

here are some pics of our days at camp...the dining hall, chapel, and our first attempt at the new climbing tower-keller was more interested in holding the rope:)