the blue blog archives: the more things change, the more they stay the same

We did it! We made it to Germany. It's always stressful, it's always crazy, and then it's always a relief. Even though it's always the same, the kids conspire to make it different every year.

Yesterday the boys were so excited, ready for the trip, wearing their German Wild Bunch t-shirts. Wee one had no idea what was going on, but as it involved seeing lots of cars and buses and planes, she wasn't complaining yet.

We always eat dinner at the McDonald's in the International terminal before we board the plane. (In fact, we only ever eat McDonald's at the airport and while we're in Germany.) Wee one got her very first Polly Pocket doll in her Happy Meal. So, naturally, she tried to eat it.

After eating, we always head to the same corner of the terminal, where, after a renovation which included the removal of ALL the outlets you might be able to plug your laptop into, there's always still one forgotten power source hidden by the bathrooms. Every year, hubby sets up the computer there and the boys watch some of their favorite shows until boarding. Can you guess what they watched this time? By the end, we had a little crowd of Icelandic girls standing behind the boys, peeking.

Once we were in the plane, we got wee one strapped in with her Cares child seat belt system.

This was a must-have for her, since she's an active one. If she hadn't been strapped down, she wouldn't have stayed in that seat for a second! It worked great for take-off and landing and turbulent moments in between. She did still want to get out to climb around on mommy, throw a tantrum or two, and then flop around while sleeping. Thank goodness for the sleeping. This is how she was awake.

Oh yes, the window seat is awesome. Did you know, you can see all kinds of things through that window? If you get close enough, apparently.

We went through passport control and security in Iceland (we always fly Icelandair and love it), then got into our second plane. The boys led the way (big travelers, that they are). They knew we had the same seats as before and when we sat down, S says, 'oh yeah, these are the same seats. Here's the crack that was in my seat and the stain on the tray.' We were on the exact same plane! And they'd cleaned up all the diaper/baby mess I'd left around our seats. I felt bad that they'd cleaned up our area just for me and wee one to sit there again. Wee one didn't let that stop her from making more mess though.

Frankfurt airport was just the same as it ever is. I had to walk like a mile to pick up the stroller from the bulky luggage area. You have to walk a mile to do anything in the Frankfurt airport. It always seems unnecessarily huge to me every time, with long, empty corridor after long, empty corridor. But at the end of the long walk, there's always my in-laws and the drive out to the country.

And waiting for us at the end of it all is always the same house. Unpacking is a breeze, since I know the four drawers, one cabinet and half closet I can always use. The boys started playing in the backyard like we were here an hour ago and just went out to eat. And the same toys were brought down from the attic for wee one to play with that the boys and my husband and his siblings played with.

The manos blanket I knit for my in-laws for Christmas now sits on the living room sofa. Both S and B have already had a chance to cuddle up with it and declared it to be very nice. S said, "I think I'd like a blankie like this." Don't worry S, it'll always be here for you.

posted by alison at 10:18 am | in vacation 2008

Comments

Oh my god! Der Laden looks awfully familiar. I think I made have had one when I was little (probably inherited from somewhere).

Have a good holiday!

Posted by: Kristin at August 8, 2008 4:46 AM

Enjoy your vacation and thank you for the pictures. It's great for children to see other countries, so they can really grok that their home is not the be-all and end-all of the world, and their home concerns are not necessarily more important than those elsewhere. My dad was in the military and we lived in Germany twice and in a half-dozen US locations, which sure broadened my horizons and shrunk my prejudices. Plus it was great fun!

Posted by: toni in florida at August 8, 2008 5:03 AM

The blanket looks really good in situ!

Posted by: Sarah at August 8, 2008 5:10 AM

Teehee, welcome back to Germany! :-)

Posted by: Elemmaciltur at August 8, 2008 6:13 AM

Welcome to Germany. It was unbearable hot the last days in the Rhein-Main-Area and now it is much cooler. Where do you stay?

Posted by: Katjaquilt at August 8, 2008 8:02 AM

It's great to see other fans of Charlie and Lola, my family loves it too! And thanks for the flight and Germany dialogue...it makes me want to visit again, this time with my little one!

Posted by: CraftChick at August 8, 2008 8:39 AM

Thanks for sharing the vacation photos. It looks like you are having great fun! I remember our days of traveling with a toddler. It's a big, wonderful world out there for them!

Posted by: Katherine at August 8, 2008 8:55 AM

Glad you made it safe and sound. It sounds like you've got a great travel routine - I couldn't imagine flying so far with three kids...maybe one day when I have to haul my future family home to Australia.

Posted by: Becky at August 8, 2008 9:09 AM

Traveling with little ones can be sp stressful. Congrats with pulling it off!

Posted by: Heather at August 8, 2008 9:44 AM

THE BLANKET!! Have a great vacation! Wee one and the boys are adorable. :)

Posted by: Lelah at August 8, 2008 10:22 AM

Oh, that blanket is just lovely. An heirloom. It is always a treat to see someone using a knit I've made. Once, I ran into a friend and her baby was wearing the hat I'd made her. She had no idea she'd run into me that day so it was especially nice. Have a wonderful trip! I can barely take my two kids on a 1-hour flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles so I admire you taking 3 kids to Germany. :)

Posted by: Leslie at August 8, 2008 10:49 AM

What a charming post! I especially love the pic of Wee One with her face pressed to the airplane window.

Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) at August 8, 2008 12:45 PM

What wonderful memories your children are storing up! Wee One is definitely looking like a little girl not a baby anymore. She reminds me a lot of Baby M who is a few months older - but same coloring & we call her the go-go baby because she hates to sit still! Enjoy your vacation.

Posted by: Donna at August 8, 2008 2:14 PM

Glad the trip went well!

Posted by: Kat with a K at August 8, 2008 5:21 PM

I love reading your blog. You are so organized and child focused. You make traveling with children seem easy and I know it's not. Have a wonderful vacation and continue keeping us posted. By the way your quilting is awesome.

Posted by: Lois at August 8, 2008 5:48 PM

Wow, what a journey! You are quite the woman - I don't know how you get everything together and all the kids and make a trip like that! Its so awesome :)

That is so touching that your blanket lives on their sofa. That must make all the blocks, and ends, worthwhile. I am sure it will be a family heirloom for generations to come! Enjoy your trip!!

Posted by: Dani at August 8, 2008 6:33 PM

Dude, that sounds just great. Have a fabulous time!

Posted by: claudia at August 8, 2008 6:53 PM

Love the picture of the baby plastered up against the window! :-)

It's been YEARS since I was in the Frankfurt airport, and it was very early in my flying experience, but in my memory it was huge and confusing. Glad to know it's still huge at least!

Posted by: janna at August 8, 2008 9:01 PM

welcome back in Germany to the Wilde Kerle and cute Ladenbesitzerin family. Hope you enjoy your vacation.

Posted by: Goldbek at August 9, 2008 7:56 AM

Oh how I wish I had an Oma and Opa in Deutschland! My husband and I got back from our latest trip to Germany at the beginning of June. We love it!

I hope that I will be able to give my children wonderful international experiences like you are.

Posted by: Rachel at August 9, 2008 5:49 PM

How exciting! I would love to visit Germany some day. How long is the flight? My boys have never flown on a large plane before and I'm not sure that I could handle it.

The blanket looks great! You don't want to make one for S.? (hehe)

Posted by: Jane at August 10, 2008 9:01 AM

Have a great vacation in Germany!
Where do you stay? Recently you wrote about the "Hinterland" ...
I live in MR, the area around Marburg is also called "Hinterland" ;-) ...
Kind regards
Jana wandersocke

Posted by: Jana at August 10, 2008 1:39 PM

Lovely. Really enjoyed reading this.

Posted by: Orli at August 11, 2008 3:49 PM

I can empathize with you about the Frankfurt airport, as I recently went through it twice. I have 3 kids and couldn't imagine navigating them through that place. I got lost on the way to clearing customs the first time!!

Posted by: LeAnne at August 12, 2008 12:51 PM