Phew! We made it! I can't tell you how anxious I was about the flight... But I must tell you- Arthur has been an EXCELLENT traveler so far! I think he was born for this- constant change & stimulation is just his cup of tea. He fell asleep on the way to the airport- a little catnap to charge him up. Luckily the check in & security was a manageable wait. Our 1st mentionable hang up was a run in with security... Nothing major- but in addition to a bottle of milk (which they had no problem with,) we brought two hermetically sealed milks (you know, the cartons with a straw, that you puncture) that they required we open for testing. We then had two full, open cartons to carry around until we got the bright idea of transferring them to a water bottle for the flight. We lost a bit of it to the transfer but there's no use in crying over spilled organic milk.
Then we ran around the terminals & were the last to board (intentionally). He loved looking at the planes.
The flight was long but manageable! A bag of tricks kept him occupied & the extra hands were helpful- thanks Grammy, Grandad, Unky Sean & Auntie Laura! We also bought an iPad mini just before leaving & downloaded Cars. He LOVED it! We only got thru half it before he got bored so we have the second half for the return flight! He took two naps, never cried & we didn't even have to walk the aisles. Amazing.
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| family viewing of Cars |
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| napping |
We deplaned with him in the Ergo, just waking from his nap. He was a bit
disoriented because it was midnight our time but 8 in the morning in
Amsterdam. While Kirk & Ryan tried to take out cash, the second
mentionable hang up occurred. Arthur peed MY pants. His diaper leaked
leaving both of us with wet crotches. I just left him in the Ergo in
hopes of hiding it as we navigated the airport.
But that was it! Can you believe it?! If all we have are a boring story about milk & wet pants I'd say we fared well!
He LOVED the van ride to our apartment. Children aren't required to use a carseat in a cab when they're under 3 so he relished having his own seat. I tried to hold on to him but he kept swatting my hand away. He just wanted to watch out the window & sit like a big boy.
Our apartment is rad. It's near Vondelpark (think New York's Central Park). It has a mild smokey smell to it & is obviously a killer rental for a giant party of friends... There are four rooms & the place sleeps 16! Our little family took over the basement suite with an open shower & huge tub. But Arthur's favorite features of our place are the huge picture window overlooking the street & tram line & the back, fenced-in courtyard.
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| Our street |
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| Our apartment |
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| courtyard |
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| "THE window" |
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| "look Unky Sean!" |
Totally delirious, we didn't accomplish much other than a trip to the store, a meal out & a walk in the park.
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| (There are bikes EVERYWHERE. People even lock up their walkers) |
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| food! |
Then we settled in for a 14 hour sleep. And wah-la! We're on Amsterdam time!
Our apartment is rad. It's near Vondelpark (think New York's Central Park). It has a mild smokey smell to it & is obviously a killer rental for a giant party of friends... There are four rooms & the place sleeps 16! Our little family took over the basement suite with an open shower & huge tub. But Arthur's favorite features of our place are the huge picture window overlooking the street & tram line & the back, fenced-in courtyard.
Looks like a great trip! Woohoo
ReplyDeleteOh, so relieved the trip over was such a breeze! I'm seriously drooling over all these photos...wanderlust in setting in hard and fast! Can't wait to read more!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to remember that Amsterdam party apartment, maybe VJJs will go international in a couple of years!
ReplyDeleteSorry Arthur peed your pants, that's a story you can tell when he's 12.
Have fun!