Family Vacation

A family vacation is a many splendored thing, as we found out in July when we went to Portland, OR. One, the new baggage charges make packing up your entire house, then cramming it into four bags a very difficult task. If you check three bags, for instance, you’re out of about $60-$70, each way. That, coupled with the fact that you are given snacks the size of a Turkish prison lunch serving, tells me that the airlines will soon be very profitable again. You know, I say that, but it’s not I’ve ever flown somewhere for the privilege of eating rubbery meatloaf and watching Predictable Bad Sandra Bullock Love Story #34 (note: the bad movies have yet to be affected by the economy). But I’m steering off course.

When planning the family vacation in this economy, you have to be tricky and smarter than those greedy airlines. For example, I decided that there was no way we were checking three bags. Then, in a moment that can only be described as “Einstein-ian,” I upped the ante – “we’ll only check one bag.” Shelley balked at that. But I had it all figured out – you see, we’re each allowed a carry-on, plus a “personal item.” That meant that technically, with three of us (Colin is still a “lap infant” for a few more months), we could get away with lugging SIX things on that plane!

Pros: It’s true and it saves money. What’s cool is that you can take a big duffel bag that you completely know won’t go in the overhead bin, and they’ll make you check it at the gate – with no charge. Ha!

Cons: Everything else associated with getting five or six bags, a stroller, and two small children through security and to the gate. Nothing like some kiddie meltdowns, the breakdown of improperly stacked luggage (because your three-year-old won’t carry his penguin bag, leaving daddy to be humiliated), and walking to THE LAST GATE ON EARTH to get that nice, clammy stress sweat pouring down. What do I always get the last gate in the airport? Why do I always get the squeaky cart at the grocery store? Why do I always get behind the guy with b.o. when I do get done shopping in said squeaky cart? OK, I’m sidetracking again.And yes, I did say Lyndon has a bag that looks like a penguin. We thought he'd love and he does, except when he has to drag it down an airport hallway. You know how bad it is for my street cred to be carrying a penguin bag? I even had some woman look at me and go "it suits you." I repressed the urge to say, "as your mustache suites you, ma'am," mainly because I was picking up the penguin bag again.

In the end it was a great trip. We:
* Saw many friends and family
* Took the boys to the Oregon Zoo.
* Visited Multnomah Falls and other sites
* Spent a day and night at Canon Beach on the Oregon Coast
* Spent a day/night at a lake house
* Saw a Tears for Fears concert

Through it all the boys did great. They absolutely loved the beach and explored all over the place, despite the cold water nipping at their toes. Mommy and daddy greatly enjoyed the Northwest’s finest commodities: beer and coffee. The boys also did quite well on the flights to and from Portland, though we (and everyone else) had to endure a few meltdowns from Colin.

Latest Musings:

Colin is in Big Boy Bed! He transitioned perfectly, without a hitch, and it even took him two days to figure out that he could get out any time he wants. But boy, has he figured it out now. It’s so hard to be stern and keep a straight face when, after putting him bed, he marches back out with a mischievous smirk on his face. That, and he loves to goof around with his brother now, sneaking up to his bed and saying “Deeeeeeee!” until Lyndon answers in some oddball game that only siblings can invent. Colin has also been taking acting lessons as last night he twice laid down and acted like he was sleeping when Shelley walked in.

Lyndon: Lyndon now states that his favorite animal is the alligator, bumping the rhino from the top spot. He also has apparently been studying the works of Ghandi, because he never, ever eats. Not sure of the purpose of his hunger strike, but it’s on.

Best Lyndonism of the Past Month: I was feeling that I may have to fill my ears with super glue if I had to listen to Lyndon’s Ipod mix again, so I decided to pick out some songs that had the names of super heroes or animals in them (Ramones “Spider-Man,” REM’s “Superman,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” etc.). Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” is one of them. Lyndon loves it and was singing “I am Iron Mayyan” the other day. Then he looks at me and says, “I’m not Iron Man, I’m just singing the song.”And that my friends, is a classic moment.