Summer Adventures 2015

40 days, five cities, nine airports, one Amtrak train ride, ten standby flights, one long distance drive,  and two nights in my crash pad.

Ozzy and I have gotten into the routine of bringing Alex and Trace to the States every summer since we have lived in Mexico, which will be four years on October 1. This summer Ozzy was super busy getting a new business up and running and I thought that he needed a break from being full time Daddy for ten years, so I decided to kidnap the kids and take them north with me for the summer and let Ozzy remember that he is first a human and then a slave to his children. I coordinated schedules with four different family members and one family that are friends, I worked my schedule so that I could be the  transporter,  kind like a taxi driver but we used airplanes, lots of them.  It was perfect because everyone had a different week that was good for them and no two weeks were the same.  Sweet, now I just have to plan my schedule so I can be the transporter of kids.  18 years seniority, summer, not gonna happen.  Stress, stress... schedules come out on the 19th of June and damn!!! I got exactly what I asked for.  Transferring to Atlanta has definitely paid off.

So, here goes our Summer Adventure 2015...

I prefer to work a lot during the summer and take time off in the winter.  This is because it is just too damn hot here in the summer.  Summer for me being June thru October.  If you prefer to sweat beginning with the first sip of coffee through your last of many showers, that will never be cold enough,  throughout the day,  hair that really never dries and is most likely growing mold, clothes that stick to you, walking outside and suffocating on the humidity,  thinking you are going through menopause (even though you aren't), always smelling "funky", this includes your body and your clothes. sleeping on ice and a frozen Nalgene bottle on your neck then this is the place for you.  Did I mention that we do not have air conditioner?  So during these months I choose to be in an air-conditioned crash pad, hotel van, hotel, airport, airplane or anywhere that has air-conditioning.  I pick up lots of extra time and make lots of extra money just so I can be comfortably cool or even cold.  So,  I was in the States most of June and then flew to Mexico on July 4 to gather my children.  I was in and out, as we left on July 6, after great parent teacher conferences.

In the PVR airport

 Our first of many fights,  Puerto Vallarta to Atlanta,  a quick ride on a hotel van and a quick walk and we are at my crash pad. (A crash pad is in my case, a house, for airline employees that do not live in their base and prefer not to stay in a hotel.  I have my own bed, only two people to a room, a kitchen, bathroom, two sitting rooms, place for food, etc.  I love it!!!)  Everything was great.  My roommate was not there so I set up blankets on the floor for the kids.   We are here, no problems, kids are psyched for their summer vacation and I am so psyched to have them with me.   All was great until Trace just broke down. He was bawling!! He missed Ozzy and wanted to go home, saying he never wanted to do this trip in the first place.  Shit!  This is the first day, what was I thinking?  They have never been away from Ozzy!  I am so used to being away for weeks at a time.  Doesn't everyone live like this?  I felt horrible.

Trace before his misery at my crash pad

The next morning we awake bright and early to catch a flight to Jacksonville, Florida for the first fun filled week of vacation.  Trace was much better but still sad and I think a little nervous but he was a trooper.  Gram O and Gramp O, Ozzy's dad and stepmom, live in St. Augustine, 45 minutes from Jacksonville.  I planed to drop and fly but instead I dropped and sat, for six hours.  I could not get out of  Jacksonville until later in the day.  I got much accomplished on my iPad and there was free wifi and air conditioner so I was fine.

The kids had a blast!  They visited the lighthouse, played mini golf, and got to go on a Pirate ship and even fight the pirates.

Trace and Gramp O

Chillin at the house

Pirate Crew

Alex fighting the pirates

Trace fighting the pirates

Alex, Trace, Gram O and Gramp O

After five  fun filled days in St Augustine it was time to pass the kids on.  Gram O and Gramp O did my a huge favor and drove the kids to Grammy and Grampy's,  my parents, in Columbia.  This was such a huge help, for one I could continue working and two I didn't have to play the non rev game for three legs.  I bid my schedule so I would have a 30 hr layover in Columbia so I could spend time with the kids while they were there and get paid to do it.  It also worked out great because I arrived late at night the day the kids arrived.  Gram O and Gramp O spent the night at my parents house so I was able to visit with them and thank them for having the kids. As soon as they were on their way Alex had the first of three sewing lessons.  So exciting!  and I was able to spend some alone time with Trace.  I was going to go to the layover hotel to spend the night since I had a 5:30 am departure but decide not too since I was coming right back in 8eight hours after my trip that day, so instead I took my dad's car to the airport.  That was a little scary since I cannot see in the dark and I had not driven over 40 mph in I don't know how long.

So I finished my trip and turned right around and got on to the next plane to Columbia. Spent another two nights with my babies, five in a row!

Grammy's dog, Pemmet sleeping with Alex

 Next stop, Kennett Square to spend eight days with  Bee Bah and Grandpa Art,  Ozzy's mom and step dad, and  Uncle Greg, Ozzy's brother. We flew into the Philadelphia airport which is an hour from Kennett Square.   Super easy travel day,  meaning that there were plenty of seats on our two legs, thank goodness.  Got to Philly at around 10:30 am, dropped the kids visited for about 20 minutes with Bee Bah and Grandpa Art in the airport and got right back on a plane to Atlanta to continue working.

The schedule was packed with a visit to the Natural History Museum,   Grandpa Art and Trace to the Helicopter Museum,  Bee Bah and Alex to Chadds Ford Historical Society and pedicures, Brandywine Art Museum, a trip to Philidelphia to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Constitution Center, baking, movies, Trace practicing his reading every day, geography games,  Uncle Greg spent time with them as well, taking them to the trampoline park, his kickball game and diners.  Trace just loves Grandpa Art so he chose to sleep with him most nights kicking Bee Bah to the guest bedroom.  Alex enjoyed having her own room and alone time without Trace.  It was a great visit, very productive, educational and even relaxing.

Somewhere in Philly

Making cookies

With Uncle Greg

Loving on Bee Bah

Loving on Grandpa Art

 I flew back to Philly to pick up the kids for the next adventure in which I was going to experience with them.  I met Bee Bah, Grandpa Art and the kids at the Philly airport where we had a quick lunch and talked about the visit.  They then drove us to the train station to catch Amtrak to Grand Central Station, NYC!  OMG.  I am a huge fan of the train. I loved it. It obviously is on the ground so you don't deal with the bumps, dehydration, fatigue that comes with flying. There was PLENTY of leg room, it was quiet,  no engines to make me even more deaf, leg room and free, fast wifi.  It was the most relaxing two hours I have had all summer, and the best part, I was with my babies and we weren't flying non rev. That will not be the last time I take the train. I actually didn't want to get off.

Through our old neighbors and friends, Jay and Elton, in Sayulita, we met a super nice, fun couple, Matt, Po and their daughter Lucy who is in the middle if Alex and Trace in age.  When Matt, Po and Lucy were here in Sayulita they had invited us to visit them in NY and I said pretty much, no thanks, I hate that place.  I don't think it was so much the city, but rather the millions of people.  I had memories and visions of the nasty, smelly moldy broom closet that the hotel tried to pass off as a room  that I had to sleep in on a layover, noise, horns, exaughst, everything being dirty, subways smelling like urine, rude, aggressive people, etc.  I have been avoiding the place like the plague.

So as I was planning the summer in the states I wanted to do something cool with Alex and Trace, the three of us,  a little family time, exploring and experiencing something new.  It needed to be on the east coast.  I thought about going to Maine, driving in the beautiful northeast, visiting little towns.  Then I thought we live at the beach in a really small town, that won't be too exciting.  Then I thought what about taking up Matt and Po on their invitation to visit them in New York?  Am I crazy, what am I thinking I hate that place.  But it is not all about me.  The kids would love to see Lucy and visit the big city.  So I contacted Po and the next thing I knew we had the dates lined up.

We arrived Friday after our two hour Amtrak train ride to Grand Central Station, caught the subway to Penn Station and made our way toward Brooklyn where we met Matt and Po (we picked up Lucy along the way)  at Matts restaurant LuLu and Po in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Let me tell you it was a party in the mouth.  Matt is an amazing chef.  If you are ever in Brooklyn you HAVE to dine there!!!  www.luluandpo.com

On Saturday Alex and I went to the Brooklyn Flea waiting for the others to arise so we could start our first day in NY.  I wanted the kids to see the city from a distance so we took the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across the bridge into the city with all the other tourists dodging bicycles as they raced past.

Alex at the Brooklyn Flea

Brooklyn Bridge

Alex, Trace, Lucy, Po and Matt

Alex, Trace and Mommy

Alex on the bridge

 We then went to China town to another amazing restaurant.  Real Chinese food.  Matt and Po did the ordering and OMG, another party in the mouth. Alex and trace loved it as well.  They could have stayed there all day eating.

Alex and Lucy hanging in China Town waiting to eat.

Trace Loved the dumplings

So did Alex!

 After cruising Canal St we headed to a birthday party at Prospect Park in Brooklyn.  Lucy's friends and their parents from school were there so Alex and Trace were able to play with kids their ages for a few hours.  Trace sat on the sidelines for a little bit but eventually joined in with the boys, as Alex jumped right in with the girls.  As are their personalities.

Alex at a flower vendor in Brooklyn.

The three amigos in Prospect Park

It was a great day.  Thank you Matt and Po especially for doing the tourist thing with us. Po bikes into the city everyday for work and I can understand why it was not what she really wanted to do on her Saturday.

On Sunday I took Alex, Trace and Lucy to the Statue of Liberty.  We took the subway to the Financial District and down to South Street Seaport area to catch the ferry. Being a Sunday in the summer the lines were not too bad.  The kids were great and very patient.  We were not able to get inside or climb up but that was fine with me, so we just walked around the island and took in the sights.

Lady Liberty

Alex and Trace with the Freedom Tower behind them

Me and my ninos

Trace saw the Statue reflected in my sunglasses and took this picture.  Good eye!

My entourage for the day

A view of lower Manhattan from the ferry

Trace deep in thought

When we returned to lower Manhattan we started walking north, headed no where in particular, but something kept pulling me.  The kids played in a park for a little while and I kept being pulled so we left.  It was the World Trade center sight that was calling me.  I didn't want to take the kids there as an "activity" because I am not ready for them to learn about that horrible time in our history especially with my job.  But we ended up there.  If they asked questions I would tell them that I would  teach them about it when they were older.  We walked up to the one of the pools.  They thought it was just a pool and didn't even ask about the names that surrounded it.  I think that they were so mesmerized by this huge fountain that they didn't think of anything else, thank goodness, as all I could think about was that day, all the lives lost and the destruction of two skyscrapers that crumbled to Earth right where we were standing almost 14 years ago.  I could not really wrap my head around it, and decided not even to try as I couldn't even put words to what I was feeling.  I had to touch the water, one hand in each pool. It was if I was touching each soul that was lost.

I will return to visit the Museum, when I am alone and can take my time, without having to answer questions, with a bottle of Excedrin to kill the headache that all of the crying has brought on.  And maybe then I will be able to wrap my head around it and find the words but I wouldn't bet on it.

On Monday I took Alex and Trace to the Empire State Building.  I had been waiting for the WOW factor of the enormity of the city from them and as we popped out of the subway in the middle of the city Trace was in awe.  I loved it.  We were trying to get our bearings, figure out where we were and find the Empire State Building.  A funny thing happened... The opposite of what you would expect from our generations.  I was on my phone pulling up directions, and even before I could get them, Alex looks up to the sky and sees it a few blocks away.  Thank you Alex!  We are headed to the top of NYC.  And an added bonus... super short lines.  The kids loved it.  Was definitely their favorite thing we did.

Alex and Trace on top of the world

Looking out over the city

 Next we headed to Shake Shack for lunch. I know, of all of the amazing places to eat in NY we pick Shake Shack.  Po told me how good it was and we were pressed for time and it was close. We found it in this beautiful park.  We sat outside in the shade,  good burgers, beautiful gardens and a fountain, all right in the city.  This is not how I remembered New York.

Alex and Trace at the fountain

Trace at Shake Shack

 Walking to the subway to get back to Brooklyn we run into a Lego store.  I am praying that they do not notice it since they are going to be taking sooo many Legos home.  Yeah whatever.  I knew they were going to ask for everything.  That was fine, but they had to be quick about it and pay for it.  That trip to the Lego store didn't last long.  HeeHee.

Trace super happy with new Legos 

 Legos in hand, we are off to Brooklyn to pack and head to Laguardia to catch an early evening non stop flight back to Columbia.

Alex, Lucy and Trace hanging while we wait for our Uber to the airport

This trip to NYC was wonderful and it totally changed my view of the city. The New York natives were so nice and helpful.  You didn't even need to ask for help,  if they saw that you were confused they would step in and help you.  I loved them. The city felt much cleaner with beautiful gardens in remote places,  the sun was out, blue skies, no pollution.

Alex and Trace were amazing.  So confident and secure they walked around like they owned that city.  And they had the subway figured out. They were such great helpers when it came to directions.  You would never know that they came from a beach town that doesn't even have a stop sign.  To their credit they have always been pretty aware of their surroundings, knowing directions and where things are.

Thank you so much Matt, Po and Lucy for your generous hospitality.  We cannot wait to come back.

 The flight looked good earlier, not so much now.  We are anxiously at the gate, waiting waiting, agent is calling names no one is showing,  we are so close.  Looking good. No one no one.  BAM out of nowhere here he comes.  Seriously?  There were three seats available.  He took one, now it is down to two and we are three.  Guess we aren't going to Columbia tonight. The kids are bummed but they handle it very well.  I think they are exaughsted and just want to sleep.  The Atlanta flight looked good we will just go over there.  We get there and I see 80 non revs waiting to get on the next to last flight to Atlanta and a lot of buz going on. Crap! Those 80 people did not get on the flight so they were rolled over to the last one which is the one we were counting on as a back up because it looked great.  This now made the non rev list 151 people.  The airplane only holds 160 passengers.  We are screwed.   Now we are looking at spending another night in NYC.  Waiting waiting, kids keep asking if we are getting on, at least seven agents are working this flight, lining people up, organizing people, making announcements to help with the the chaos and inform the hundreds of people waiting on this flight, the last flight of the night, that has as many non revs as seats and then the passengers who bought seats which is 3/4 pf the plane. Argh!!  Wait a minute...did I just hear Templeton party of three?  I must be tripping.  I go to the podium to see if I am tripping and a lovely gate agent says, "Templeton? Here are your boarding passes, you may board now".  No way,  we got seats.!  Huge sigh of relief.  I go back to gather the kids and our luggage, and quietly tell them we got seats.  The are super happy. In a louder voice that I would have preferred,   Alex asks if we are sitting together and Trace asks if we got first class in front of all these people who will be spending the night in NY for who knows how long.   Trace really prefers first class but will settle for coach if he HAS to.

I think that this was one of the first times in my career that I have felt senior.  I got us on an airplane because of my seniority and help with a higher priority pass.  It felt really good after 18 years for my seniority to finally give me something.

On the plane to Atlanta.  We are beat but very grateful.

Once we land in Atlanta, around midnight, we head to my crash for a quick nap because we have to catch the first flight out to Columbia in the morning.  Kids were troopers as always.

Easy breezy,  we are in Columbia back at Grammy and Grampy's and we are exaughsted.  Pretty much chill time for three days.  Lots of Lego building, a dinner with friends, another trip to a trampoline park and rollerskating and Alex's final sewing lessons. Actually that doesn't sound very chill.

At the trampoline park with my friend Marylynn's kids, and their cousins.

Alex rollerskating.  She spent a lot of time on the ground.  Trace had much better balance.  I even joined in the fun.  Bringing back memories.

I head back to Atlanta to work while my brother,  Crazy Uncle Whit and his daughter Noelle came to Columbia to spend time with Alex and Trace.   They had a great time.  I think Whit kept them busy and amped up for three days.  He is good like that.  He even got them behind the scenes of the reptile exhibit at Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo, where they were able to see all the reptiles up close and even handle small snakes.

Trace, Noelle and Alex at the Zoo

Seven days in Columbia now it is time for the final week and visit of the summer. Off to Houston to visit Mike, Robin, Brittany and Becca, my sister and her family.   My mom did me a huge favor and flew them to Houston so I could continue to work and avoid three extra legs of trying to nonrev into out of and into two of the hardest airports to novrev to.  They had to  drive an hour north at 4am to Charlotte because they were not be able to get out of Columbia.   They got to Atlanta and I met them at the airport bright and early after getting in from my trip at midnight. We enjoyed a nice breakfast together, quick loves and hugs and they were on a flight to Houston, after they got bumped from the first flight they tried to get on.  It was ok, as I got to spend a few extra hours with them.

They were in Houston for five days before I came to join them and take them home to Daddy.

They did a lot of swimming, eating,  spending time with their cousins,  watching tv. We do not have a tv or air-conditioning so they were loving sitting on a comfortable couch, cuddling with the dogs in a nice cool house while Robin catered to them.  Trace went fishing with Mike one day while Robin and the girls went shopping and got pedicures.  I don't think Alex's feet have ever gotten so much attention as they did this summer.  I don't shop, primp, pamper myself or watch TV, pretty blah compared to what was going on in Houston.  That is why we call the summer an adventure, cause it ain't hapnin here.

Trace caught a fish, and yes, he released it

Crashed

Alex celebrated her 10th birthday while were were in Houston.  She has really wanted to get her ears pierced for a few years and I have been telling her not until she was 13.  I finally broke down to the pressure and decided that she was old enough now and could take care of them on her own.  So I gave her a pair of earrings for her birthday.  She opened the box and just smiled thinking great I get to keep these for two more years until my 13th birthday.  I told her that they meant she could get her ears pierced now.  She broke down crying.  Such a happy birthday girl , and she has taken excellent care of them. We were all there to watch..Trace, Brittany, Becca, Robin, and of course Mommy.

Alex's new ears.  She chose her birthstone as starters.

With Brittany

Trace's man bun

With Becca

It is time to go home.  Robin takes us to the airport bright and early so we can catch a flight to Salt Lake City.  I choose this route because both of the flights looked good.  And luckily they both stayed that way.  The kids loved seeing the beautiful mountains out the window and even commented on how much they miss it there, but that they do not want to move back.  I miss it as well.  It is such a beautiful place.  We have an hour in Salt Lake until our flight to Puerto Vallarta to take us home.  The kids are ready and yes, Trace, we are in first class.

Trace chilling where he is meant to be.  He asked me if everyone on the place gets treated this well.  He should know the answer to that, he has been in coach on every other flight this simmer.  He cannot be bothered with remembering such misery.

The second Alex sat down she was asleep until we landed in PVR.  I think she was finally able to relax, knowing that she no longer had to be the adult to Trace and that soon Daddy would take over.



I had a wonderful summer.  I just loved having the kids with me in the states, spending sweet, adventurous, quiet, quality time with them, even if it sometimes was just on an airplane, or quickly in an airport.  I love to watch them, grow, learn and discover new things and places.  I feel as though when we do things like this I am much more present with them and more aware of their developing little selves than when we are at home going through the motions of everyday life.

I want to thank Gram O and Gramp O, Grammy and Grampy, Bee Bah and Grandpa Art, Matt, Po and Lucy, Marylynn, Whit, Robin, Mike, Brittany and Becca, Amtrak and Delta for making this summer a huge success.  Thank you for taking in my children while Ozzy and I worked, for all of the fun, entertainment and learning adventures that they experienced.  Ozzy and I are very grateful for your help, generosity and love.  

                             Muchas Muchas Muchas Gracias mi familia y mi amigos!!!