Memphis and Back in Six Hours

Yesterday tested my patience, endurance, and strength. Due to some upcoming medical tests, the little ones can't be around Ang for about a week starting tomorrow. So yesterday I flew them to Memphis to spend about 10 days with Angela's folks.

Delta, now that they have merged with Northwest, flies nonstop to Memphis from Washington-Reagan/National. In order to save any sense of sanity I have left, we chose to drive a little further to avoid having to connect through Atlanta.

Did I mention we were flying standby? Hairy, yes, but financially worth it.

This was the first time I had flown with the girls without Angela to help. It actually went well, kinda. Addy was a bit of testy one - tired, hungry, and, in her words (more like her sign language), "all done." Two hours sure beats three hours + a connection. But that's a long time for a little one to stare at the seat back in front of her.

Amelia managed to eat, read, and do stickers quietly and contentedly the entire way. That, and a quick stop in the bathroom (my one fear, though it went well). She was a champ (the perfect travel buddy).

Once we landed, the girls marched through the entire B concourse of the Memphis airport, much to the delight and smiles of numerous strangers. Amelia pulled her little suitcase the ENTIRE way, and I hauled Addy, her car seat, and her carryon most the way (Addy walked 30-40% of the way). All was well once we saw Nana and Granddad - although Addy got so excited that she ran over and hugged the legs of a TSA employee. =)

One more thing - I got the girls settled into the car and turned right back around to fly home. At least I had a good book.

One more, one more thing. Landing at DCA and being able to hop the Metro 2 stops into Alexandria is pretty sweet. Just an FYI.