I was thinking about how I've only flown 4 times since Carlee was born. That's 4 times in three and a half years. The first time was to Vegas last summer (does that even count as a flight?) Then the other three were to Houston and all in the last 4 months. I guess that's what happens when your best friend moves out of state...gives you a reason to travel. My first two trips to Houston were quick weekend trips by myself to visit my friend. This trip I decided to take Carlee on her spring break. Although the trip was a little longer than the previous ones, it was still way too quick.
The morning of the day we were going to fly out, I got a text from the airline saying our flight was canceled and I had to go online to rebook. Luckily we found another flight that left out of a closer airport and still got us there around the same time. The only bad part is that it connected in Phoenix. Since this was Carlee's first time flying I had booked nonstop flights. But I thought maybe the break in flying would be good. Either way it was going to be an experience.
We got to the airport the standard two hours early. Try explaining that to a three year old. She kept asking where our plane was. So we got a little dinner before the plane ride. The food was horrible and expensive. That's what I get for picking the place closest to our gate and not walking around.
After killing some time around the airport, we finally saw OUR plane!
Carlee was so excited.
I tried to be prepared with a ton of things to entertain Carlee with. I figured coloring and her handheld game would last five minutes. So I brought the laptop to watch movies. Well that didn't go as planned either. After five minutes she was done watching it. She spent the rest of the flight just "reading" the drink menu and really just talking to me.
Once we got to Phoenix we found out our connecting flight was delayed. So what was supposed to be a 45 minute layover turned into two hours. We had one mini meltdown during that time. Who could blame her. It was starting to be a long evening of traveling. Once we got on the plane, Carlee was asleep within 10 mins of take off and slept the whole 2.5 hour flight and even while carrying her to the baggage claim. We finally met my friend and headed to her house to go straight to bed.
The next morning we took our time getting up. We were on vacation after all. We walked over to the community park. Carlee played while we watched and gossiped.
My friend kept saying it was going to rain. It sure didn't look like it to me. Next thing you knew rain drops were starting to come down. We scooped Carlee up and headed back to the house. We didn't want to risk being stuck in a downpour.
Carlee's newest friend for the few days we were there was the dog, Bear. Carlee took this picture of Bear when he got in trouble for something. (Carlee loved taking pictures with the point and shoot. More of her pictures to follow).
Then we went to lunch at Sam's Boat where a friend works. The weather was perfect. Not humid but warm and a little breezy. Perfect day to have lunch outside.
Carlee being the ham she is.
Then it was back to the house for some back yard fun. And yes, this was all in the same day. Carlee changed her outfit about 4-5 times each day. That's the one drawback to kids being able to undress/ dress themselves.
Carlee took a picture of us, can you tell?
My peanut and I...
We were laughing because we kept telling Carlee to move her finger. She'd move it, then put it right back over the lens.
We made dinner and ate outside. It was too nice not to eat outside.
Carlee needed to wear Mommy's sunglasses.
The next day we decided to go to the gym. Yes even on vacation. Couldn't lose my momentum. Plus my friend wanted to get back into an exercise regimen so she didn't mind. And Carlee was actually asking when she gets to go to Kids Club at the gym. She gets mad on nights we don't go to the gym.
Carlee and Bear...
We had gone to the gym, went to the movies to see Rio, and did a little shopping. That night we bbq'd and some friends came over.
My friend had gone to the store and came back with these snacks! Needless to say it's a good thing we went to the gym.
Carlee took this picture of the piggy bank.
Carlee wouldn't take a picture with me so I'm holding her head back. She thought it was funny.
Another picture taken by Carlee.
This picture captured the night perfectly... just having fun goofing off.
All that fun had to stop sometime. Carlee crashed and then it was margarita time for Mommy.
During our visit we went to the grand opening of a super sport 24 Hour gym. Carlee loved the larger playground in kids club. And after working out we went swimming. What's not to love about a gym like that?
And that was basically the extent of our trip. Or at least of the pictures anyway. The trip wasn't like my previous trips to Houston. But it was nice to just hang out and not have to worry about school or work. Plus spending time with your best friend is always a plus. Carlee and I were sad to go, but we knew it wouldn't be our last trip.
On the flight back, Carlee didn't fall asleep until 2.5 hours into the flight. She really didn't play with anything I brought her either. But she was so good on the plane. Her ears never bothered her from the altitude. It was as if she's an experienced flyer. I hope all travels can go as smoothly as this one. And hopefully the next trip is sooner than later.
