Graduation, Good Health & Giggles Galore About This Page:

[MayraLR]

Great start! I hope the boy that missed the bus was able to join later on.

[bfth]

You are a brave woman and an even better mom. Can't wait to see how your adventure turns out!

[wheezie]

Yeah, I have to know if the kid that missed the bus made it or not.

I can't wait to read more!

[tcmary]

Hi All, Thanks for the kind words and good wishes.

I SURVIVED and we had an amazing time. I’m simply exhausted! We were on the go constantly and sleep was not the most important part of the trip. We arrived home around 10:00 PM Tuesday night, so by the time I caught up with my DD and DH, handed out souvenirs and talked about our trip it was almost midnight. Getting back to work was tough but I managed.

We had Senior Awards Night at the High School on Wednesday. Most of the children on the trip had to attend, as they were receiving awards and scholarships. They were happy and congratulating one another, but boy were they a lethargic bunch! One of the things I have loved about this class is that they have been challenging and encouraging each other for years. They would study together, yet at the same time, didn't want to be outscored. They were very conscious of their grades and were always working to out do each other in class placement. As parents it has been fun to watch the dynamics.

We were very proud of our DH, as he was honored with three scholarships, two academic achievement awards and a special administrative honor. This is the same kid that never turned in homework while in middle school. In the 7th grade I told him “I’m not going to fight with you. If you decide you want to be mediocre, get it out of your system now, because when you get to high school, this behavior won’t fly.” His grades and attitude about school changed the minute he walked into the high school. He looks back at middle school and admits he was lazy. Fortunately he understands the value of hard work and being successful in all that he does is important.

Next Up: Loving Our Community Airport

[tcmary]

It took us slightly over an hour to reach the Westchester County Airport. At 5:00 in the morning, there's hardly anyone on the road, let alone in the airport. The bus pulled down just past the end of the terminal, near the arrival entrance, where we quickly unloaded. Imagine my surprise when my DS grabbed by bag for me in and wheeled it inside.

We walked inside, and to our right was the queu for the TSA Security check. The line went from 0 people to 55 in about two seconds. If you remember, we were missing a student, so a chaperone waited out front for him and the rest of us were waiting to be searched and scanned.

I was at the back of our group, and made it through security in less than 15 minutes. I love this airport and really don't like to sing it's virtues. I'd like to keep it our little secret forever. When we travel as a family, we have loved having a sit down meal at the restaurant on the second floor. The service has always been great and the menu suits us all. PS There are small single serve bathrooms upstairs that are always clean.

Now that the TSA line was free and clear, the kid we ditched had arrived. He and the chaperone breezed through security in minutes.

Let me give you a tip about security! Once you go through the body scanner, DO NOT, bend down and pull your sock up. Yes, I did this. They pulled me aside, scanned me with a wand and had a female officer feel up my ankles. My sock, it's just my sock I told them. I was very happy that they stopped and checked me. I will gladly take the slight inconvenience and embarrassment knowing the TSA is thorough. Maybe in some lands, the middle aged, tired, over weight, frizzy haired mom will attempt something stupid. I love life and people way too much to cause any trouble.

Guess who made the same stupid mistake on the way home! Two points to you if you picked me.

So there was plenty of seating, a small gift and food area, bathrooms and time to waste. Another plane was being called to board, so they all left and it was a rather pleasant wait for our plane. Most everyone was having breakfast or sipping coffee. Our group was quiet and well behaved. I love people watching and observed a family of 12, and thought they look like the ones that might be trouble on the plane. Grandparents, siblings, spouses and grandchildren. It was the first time any of them had ever been on a plane and it appeared they had everything with them except the kitchen sink. Bags in all shapes and sizes, a large kitchen garbage bag with beach towels, a blue Wally World bag packed to the brim and Grandma had a roll of toilet paper she was using to blow her nose. I prayed they were not sitting behind me.

Finally, our flight was called for boarding. Generally, I am happy to be the last aboard. I have my ticket with a seat number, so why hurry. well, the family started fighting about who would carry what, so I decided to board while I had the chance.
This was the first time I had to walk across the tarmac to reach the plane. I've done this at tiny airports, but never before at Westchester. I imagine they'll be enlarging the gate area and allowing more flights. It wasn't a long walk.............just enough time for me to turn and see the young grandson drag the bag of towels across the blacktop, rip the bag and leave a path of towels. Each person behind him picked one up and slung it around their neck or over their arm, so all was well.

I had trouble finding a location for my bag. The one I found was right over some empty seats, so I stuffed it in and found my seat. I had a window seat and an empty seat next to me. SCORE!!

Our kids had assigned seats but in one big block. As they waited for the last people to board, it was like a crazy fire drill happening behind me. The kids were quickly changing seats and getting comfortable before they were told "No."

The family of 12 were the last on and furious they couldn't store their luggage overhead. They couldn't fit too much under their seats, so they were advised they would have to check their bags. Next was the decision on what to keep on board with them and what to stow. The stewardess reminded them the plane needed to depart. The daughter had a hissy fit, and delayed us even more. She was asked to take her seat and her kids were begging her to listen. Her husband was cussing and complaining then too. An authoritative voice was on the loudspeaker and said"We are prepared for takeoff."

Up Next: How Fast Can We Dash?

[cattailmarsh]

So glad the left behind student finally made it to the airport. Hoping this large family was not seated any where near you - they sound like a problem waiting to happen. Funny how all students always change seats a zillion times before getting comfy. When a group of 42 college students from 2 classes went to Jamaica - we did the same thing. How many total kids, adults do you have in the group? Sounding pretty large.

[tcmary]

We have 50 students and 7 adults. Two adults were along for the ride and not chaperones.

Thanks to technology, the kids checked in with us by photo text every 4 hours and when switching locations.

[DMA]

You've got me in stitches talking about the family of twelve!
Yes, they certainly do sound like trouble!
Hope you have a good flight in spite of their shenanigans!

[purplegal]

Great start, small airports are wonderful. Glad the missing student showed up, hopefully he was on time for the rest of the trip.

[SuperDave]

Glad all of you made it to the airport fine, even the student who missed the bus! I love this airport and use it, when possible to Orlando as it's small and only about 20 minutes from me! Will be flying out of here in October for my Disney trip. That family of 12 is ridiculous and seems like a great example of a dysfunctional one!

Will there be photos from the trip, once you land?

[xwewhisper]

Wow that large family sounds so clueless! Glad you were able to board ahead of them!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cam22]

Oh my goodness, that family of twelve!

[cattailmarsh]

50 to 7 is pretty good. Especially given technology. Can't wait for more details and the antics of those 12 crazy family members - dysfunctional is sounding like an understatement.

[tcmary]

Finally, we were cleared for takeoff. This is when we realized we had 3 students that we're first time flyers and one with anxiety. A young man sitting behind me begged me to buy him a Hard Apple Cider if it would help him relax. I reminded him I was sitting with the lead chaperone and maybe he should chew gum instead. He laughed then apologized then begged his friend next to him to hold his hand. So, he did, for practically the whole flight. He truly was having a rough time. He prayed, he moaned, kept his eyes shut tight until we landed in Orlando. Twenty minutes after landing he had his mother on the phone asking her to fly down so he could take a bus home with her. Chaperone #2 spoke to the Mom and received permission to give him Benadryl prior to the flight home.

We had a very uneventful, yet comfortable flight. The entertaining family settled in and almost all fell asleep. Grandpa bought a bunch of neck pillows and asked for an extra garbage bag to carry them through the airport. Lord help them if they bring home souvenirs!

We had a seemingly flawless landing and folKS on the plane applauded the captain. Getting off the plane went very quickly. A sky cap was waiting with a wheelchair for our young lady with crutches. He was rather handsome and athletic looking. Missue Crutches had us all laughing when she smiled at him and asked "How Fast Can You Dash? "

Up Next: Welcome Home

[tcmary]

I do hope to add photos to my TR. I am waiting for permission to post photos of the students from their parents.