We're TubaDad (laid-back taco-eating tuba-player from Texas) and M3 (excitable, artsy chocoholic from California). We adopted our beautiful twin girls from Hubei, China in Oct 2006 and this blog is about our lives with the twinados, Ro and Ree. Cheers!
The girls actually slept for about two hours on one of the plane rides home yesterday!!!!! (Yes that warranted five exclamation marks, hell it warranted 10 or 15 but I'm restraining myself.)
It was unbelievably luxurious. I had time to read a couple of trashy magazines and even sneak in a little nap. Hands down the most relaxing plane trip I've ever had with the girls.
They basically slept for one leg of the trip, then played quietly with their carryon stuff for the second leg. It wasn't until we landed for the second time and they careened off the plane at SFO that they lost their minds. They ran into a few people, wrestled like football players on the floor, and just generally got a little hysterical. Yikes. TubaDad and I each grabbed an arm and we hustled them into baggage claim and then out to the car where we breathed a huge sigh of relief. Ahhhhh, safe!
It was a great trip, although a short one. Thanks to our relatives for the wonderful hospitality. It was so great to see everyone.
The full set of trip pics is here (thumbnails, detail, slideshow), if you're curious. And here's a funny little bonus video of the girls testing out the backyard animals at Marlayna and Nick's house to make sure they were twinproof:
PS: I wasn't on email at all, so I didn't see the questions asking where we were—sorry—it was a tiny little place called Burgettstown, PA. And folks were also asking what we take to amuse the girls on the plane, so here's a picture (click to enlarge). These things were divided between the girls' individual carryons, except for the large clipboards, which had to go in my bag. Basically we had snacks, lots of paper, crayons, pages from educational workbooks, pens, scissors, stickers, scotch tape, bandaids, playdoh, ID bracelets (they wore these during travel), mini photo books, Q&A flip books, crazy eights cards, legwarmers, ziploc bags, gum, chapstick, post its, mini flashlights, and a stuffed friend for each girl. We used everything but the legwarmers.
That was a really quick trip. We traveled recently with our energetic 2-year old (CA to NY, then NY to PR). I totally get your relief, and must admit to be a tad jealous that you got to read. :) We spent a lot of money on trashy magazines (the markup at the airport is outrageous), but hardly had the time to glance at them.
You do have it more difficult, as you have two lovely but energetic ones. Where are Wela and Bob Bob?
scissors? They allow scissors at the airport, I thought all scissors (incl child and nail scissors) weren't allowed... how'd ya get that through security?
We leave tomorrow morning with just 2 adults on a nonstop to CA. I can't believe the little girls will not be with us. You should have left them here with us... wela
2china4s: My folks stayed in PA for a little bit of a longer visit. We had to get back home because TubaDad couldn't miss work this week.
christina: I didn't think scissors were allowed either, but they passed through CA and PA security ok. We figured if we had to toss them out, well so be it, but it was worth a try. They allow knitting needles again now too.
NeuroMama: Yep, my mom grew up there, and so did my grandparents. My great grandfather actually owned a general store in Miner's Hill (neighboring Langeloth).
Oh man, I totally wish I had known ya'll were so close. I am near Youngstown, Ohio about an hour away! Oh wait, I was in Cancun this weekend. I had a fabulous time, I only wish it would have been longer!
Burgettstown....oh man I can't believe you were that close and I missed seeing you guys! If you visit the relatives again, let us know...we'll be the illustrious PGH Airport Welcoming Committee!!! Glad you enjoyed our wonderful state and yes, you were definitely in the boonies!
I may be completely out of the loop but I have never seen the seat belt straps that you have on the girls (in the airplane). Would you please update & write &/or email me the name, where you got them? I have always assumed that it was car seat or just out of luck in airplanes - thanks!!!
Hi shu: For airline flights, we use CARES harnesses (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/) and just love them. They turn the airline seatbelt into a 5-point harness and are easy peasy to put on. The flight attendants always tell us the girls have the safest seats on the plane, plus, if they're extra wiggly, the harnesses actually keep them in place (the regular airline seatbelts do nothing as far as our extremely active girls are concerned). Cheers, M3
Want to make a big difference in the world? Give one small child the benefit of Foster Care. Ro and Ree were in foster care and it changed their lives. Read more about it or read about other charities that help children.
They basically slept for one leg of the trip, then played quietly with their carryon stuff for the second leg. It wasn't until we landed for the second time and they careened off the plane at SFO that they lost their minds. They ran into a few people, wrestled like football players on the floor, and just generally got a little hysterical. Yikes. TubaDad and I each grabbed an arm and we hustled them into baggage claim and then out to the car where we breathed a huge sigh of relief. Ahhhhh, safe!
It was a great trip, although a short one. Thanks to our relatives for the wonderful hospitality. It was so great to see everyone.
The full set of trip pics is here (thumbnails, detail, slideshow), if you're curious. And here's a funny little bonus video of the girls testing out the backyard animals at Marlayna and Nick's house to make sure they were twinproof:
PS: I wasn't on email at all, so I didn't see the questions asking where we were—sorry—it was a tiny little place called Burgettstown, PA. And folks were also asking what we take to amuse the girls on the plane, 
so here's a picture (click to enlarge). These things were divided between the girls' individual carryons, except for the large clipboards, which had to go in my bag. Basically we had snacks, lots of paper, crayons, pages from educational workbooks, pens, scissors, stickers, scotch tape, bandaids, playdoh, ID bracelets (they wore these during travel), mini photo books, Q&A flip books, crazy eights cards, legwarmers, ziploc bags, gum, chapstick, post its, mini flashlights, and a stuffed friend for each girl. We used everything but the legwarmers.
Posts
That was a really quick trip. We traveled recently with our energetic 2-year old (CA to NY, then NY to PR). I totally get your relief, and must admit to be a tad jealous that you got to read. :) We spent a lot of money on trashy magazines (the markup at the airport is outrageous), but hardly had the time to glance at them.
ReplyDeleteYou do have it more difficult, as you have two lovely but energetic ones. Where are Wela and Bob Bob?
scissors? They allow scissors at the airport, I thought all scissors (incl child and nail scissors) weren't allowed... how'd ya get that through security?
ReplyDeleteWe leave tomorrow morning with just 2 adults on a nonstop to CA. I can't believe the little girls will not be with us. You should have left them here with us...
ReplyDeletewela
No way!!!!!!! I actually grew up in Burgettstown, PA! Are one of you from there? What a tiny, weird world!
ReplyDelete2china4s: My folks stayed in PA for a little bit of a longer visit. We had to get back home because TubaDad couldn't miss work this week.
ReplyDeletechristina: I didn't think scissors were allowed either, but they passed through CA and PA security ok. We figured if we had to toss them out, well so be it, but it was worth a try. They allow knitting needles again now too.
NeuroMama: Yep, my mom grew up there, and so did my grandparents. My great grandfather actually owned a general store in Miner's Hill (neighboring Langeloth).
Oh man, I totally wish I had known ya'll were so close. I am near Youngstown, Ohio about an hour away! Oh wait, I was in Cancun this weekend. I had a fabulous time, I only wish it would have been longer!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you had such a good trip and wonderful that you got a little snooze on the plane too.
ReplyDeleteYou lucked out with that two hour nap.....and looks like you got to catch up on the latest Hollywood smut:)
ReplyDeleteWOW...You were more than prepared with that bag of tricks!! Looks like the girls had plenty to keep them busy!!
Lisa
Didn't realize you were on United... could have given you a few dozen upgrade certificates :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad the Twinados finally slept on a plane. Maybe they'll get into that rhythm. Ours slept on most flights until a few months ago.
SO glad you guys are home safe and sound. LOVE the trash mags and the pic of you napping!
ReplyDeleteWatch our Ty Murray I think Rodeo riding is in both of their futures...thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEmily
Lucky you!!! You got to read about Kate and you were even in her home state. Were you nearby? Did you stop by??? Just kidding...great reading!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That must have felt like a monumental moment. (And we love those CARES restraints, too.)
ReplyDeleteBurgettstown....oh man I can't believe you were that close and I missed seeing you guys! If you visit the relatives again, let us know...we'll be the illustrious PGH Airport Welcoming Committee!!! Glad you enjoyed our wonderful state and yes, you were definitely in the boonies!
ReplyDeleteI may be completely out of the loop but I have never seen the seat belt straps that you have on the girls (in the airplane). Would you please update & write &/or email me the name, where you got them? I have always assumed that it was car seat or just out of luck in airplanes - thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteHi shu:
ReplyDeleteFor airline flights, we use CARES harnesses (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/) and just love them. They turn the airline seatbelt into a 5-point harness and are easy peasy to put on. The flight attendants always tell us the girls have the safest seats on the plane, plus, if they're extra wiggly, the harnesses actually keep them in place (the regular airline seatbelts do nothing as far as our extremely active girls are concerned).
Cheers,
M3
Glad you had such a great trip!! Ahhhhh....sleeping on the plane. What a treat!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCute video of the girls at their finest!