STANDBY

One of the great perks of A's job is our ability to fly for free.  Over the years, we've saved thousands of dollars and embarked on many more travels than we ever would have if we were purchasing airline tickets, but ... with children, I'm learning that "free" can be a relative term.  We snagged our own row on the right flight on the way out to DC ... but the way back was a different story!  We thought our way home would be identical, so Aunt M dropped us off late Saturday morning.  We checked our bags and carseats (who wants to lug around more than is needed with two toddlers and a stroller in tow?).  After doing so, we learned that one of the DC-MN flights had been cancelled for the day ... so suddenly, there were 100 other passengers looking for a flight.  Of course, we were only on the standby list.  

There was only one seat open on the flight we had intended on, so AA and I took it.  Yep, she sat on my lap ... but God must have been looking out for me, as AA slept the WHOLE way!  Meanwhile, JP and A hung out at the DC airport.  This, of course, presented a physically logistical challenge for myself once we landed in MSP.  No stroller, two carseats, two suitcases, two backpacks, and an energetic 18 month old to finagle all the way on tram, light rail, elevators and all to the Humphrey Terminal ... with a rip off germy cart rental and three packages of fun fruits later, we made it to our car!

I received word that JP and A hadn't made the next flight, so suddenly AA and I had a few hours to spare in the cities before needed to pick up our boys.

So what better way to spend an impromptu girls afternoon than by hanging out at the Mall of America? All of the shopping wore us out, so we stopped for an ice cream and sprinkles treat.

And then we went shoe shopping.  Oh dear, I have a real girl on my hands!  Which ones do you like, AA?

The ones with sparkles?

Oh, of course not ... you found the MOST expensive pair of baby Uggs on your own!  What?  Oh they are on clearance for $99?  Really?  No, honey, you can't have those.

After a MAJOR meltdown, I placed the completely overpriced rainbow Uggs far out of sight, and we left Nordstrom Rack.  Ahh, but those shoes were not out of mind.  Lil' AA screamed for another five minutes.  I'm just so mean.

Since our shopping outing was clearly over, I called Grandpa T ... he was up for a swim with AA!

A and JP ended up waiting all day at the airport without any luck.  They were in a bind, because without a carseat, things can be complicated!  Our good friends E and N just so happen to live in DC too .. with carseats in tow!  So the boys ended up spending the night with E and EJ while AA and I drove back to Rochester.  By 10 AM Sunday morning, we were all reunited.

I guess flying standby isn't so bad ...