Crying is not allowed on airplanes

So I will take a flight across the country tomorrow. I remember when flying was almost relaxing. I'd read an entire book or watch a movie, heck, sometimes I'd even go crazy and buy one of those $5 bottles of bad wine. Woohoo! That was livin' large. Then there was that big security issue and the need for the long security lines and IDs. That wasn't much fun, but I'm happy they are keeping us safe. But to be honest, the thing that has made travel unrelaxing for me? Two things. Thing 1 and Thing 2.

I have been blessed with children who are good travelers. They have both flown across the ocean and done so in a way to make their mother so proud. We have family rules that we repeat and repeat (1. No crying on airplanes. 2. No kicking the seat in front of you. 3. You can't get up unless the seatbelt sign is off.). I have no idea if they help the kids travel better, but I'm pretty sure they make me and Smitty feel better. But I won't lie, I'm a bit scared about tomorrow. I'm flying alone with both of them. And we are too cheap to buy a seat for the youngest. Yeah, you heard me. It's only a few hours, so how bad can it be, right? Well that's what I thought until I didn't forward the email that told me I would get bad luck for 4 years because I am a Scorpio and then I stepped in a huge pile of fresh dog poop this morning. I know, it's just a coincidence. And if having bird poop land on your shoulder is good luck, than clearly stepping in a huge mess of dog poop is even better luck, right?

I do wonder how bad it can be and then remember that after spending the better part of the weekend alone with the girls the hardest hour was during church when I chased Lu around the lobby. She's so active! Hopefully flying at her nap time will mean that she'll sleep and Soph and I will read books and write letters. And if not, well, I've packed plenty of chocolate and goldfish. And we will continue to recite the Smithstanza Family air-traveling mantra: crying is not allowed on airplanes. In the airport? Fine. Let it all out. But not on the airplane.

And if that doesn't work? Well, it's only a few hours of my life and at least I'll have chocolate and goldfish to share with my fellow passengers. Did I mention the bag of earplugs?