The Long Journey Home

Vacation was great, but it was time to come home. It was a bit long to be away with a 9 month old, at least to be moving from place to place every few days.

It was an all day afair to make it home thanks to the bad flights one can book with points. We flew from London to Raleigh and then to DC. We left London before 7am local time and didn't make it home until 8 pm EST time. That was a 17 hour journey and some very tired kids. They each had a bit of naps on the long flight to Raliegh, but not enought to deal with the very long day. Ellie was in good spirits until it was time for a bath. Max had a breakdown as we started the flight home from Raleigh. Unfortunately, I was able to get him to sleep only after accidentally bumping his head on the ceiling of the plane which caused him to finally cry himself to sleep in my arms where he stayed until we landed and came off the plane.

Uncle Danny picked us up from the airport and took us home. Max slept peaceully in his carseat knowing the end was in sight. Ellie enjoyed seeing uncle danny and trying to explain why her face was pink.

How does this happen on a plane ride where one parent is sitting on each side of her one might ask? Well, I'm not exactly sure either, but when I looked over and saw what she had done to herself at about 6 and a half hours into a 8 hour flight, all I could really do is laugh - and reminder her that markers are for paper only...

The markers were not water soluable, but some cheap set with pretty permanent coloring. It took about 36 hours, several whipes and two baths, but they are now off!

Ellie's artwork drew a lot of comment during the remainder of the trip home. In Raliegh one lady asked her name, and without hesitation Ellie replied, "Snow White." The very nice young Mom from London laughed, curtsied and responded with, "It's a pleasure to meet you my lady."

We were able to sneak in a quick visit with Shelby in Raleigh as she greated us outside customs. This was fabulous becuase I don't think I've every had anyone great me outside customs before. She got to meet Max and enjoy some time catching up with us all briefly over a coffee in the nice and newly renovated Terminal 3 of RDU.

It's great to be home. I hope that Ellie will have memories of this vacation that stay with her as she grows. I am so glad they got to spend time with the Cummings and Gray sides of the family. It's great for them to know everyone and their roots. I only wish we would be able to make it happen more regularly for them. Our best hope is that they want to come to America to visit us too sometime! We look forward to seeing Grannie and Millar in June!