Getting to Italy

Planning to go to Italy kept getting pushed to the back burner until about a week before we were to leave.  I did a bunch of research, but still didn't book much because the flight to Venice looked full so we might end up in Rome first instead.  Stand-by is great to make your own itinerary, but difficult to plan ahead.  

Getting the girls up to Utah to stay with family is all part of the trip.  Flying standby makes this little part of traveling tricky.  Last minute, a flight was open late at night.   I had to leave after a lacrosse game and a performance at Jackson's school.  Luckily, I was all packed up for the girls, I just had to grab an overnight bag for me (and even got time to shower!).  The flight went great (both girls slept). In Utah, I made breakfast and enjoyed a few last moments with my girls before saying goodbye and heading back to Texas.  I liked that I had time to give instructions and tips to my parents before leaving.  The girls are in a really independent and happy place where they don't need much to care for.  They are a pleasure to be around so I didn't have too much anxiety leaving them in the good hands of my parents and in-laws. 

 I had another lacrosse game once I touched down in Texas and then we made our final preparations (or our first packing as the case may be).  Jackson slept well and we all woke up early 9 (on purpose) and started on the way to the airport.  Jackson was SO full of energy and questions and excitement.  Dave and I were a bit stressed and anxious about the flights and upcoming international travel and his questions were exhausting, but we didn't want to ruin his excitement.  On the flight to Philadelphia, Jackson read his Italy guide book and did some homework.  He did all 4 hours with no screens!  He was excited.  

On our long layover, I was going to take Jackson into Philadelphia to show him the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, but when we landed it was a blizzard and only 30 degrees.  With a light jacket there was no way to get into the city, so we had 6 hours to kill in the airport.   

  

Dave got us into the club so we could eat food and have a calm place to hang out.  Jackson and I went to the play place for a long time.  We facetimed with the girls and Jackson was missing them so much.

 We had plenty of seats and the plane had screens on the back of every seat, so Jackson got to play new games and we watched a movie or 2.  We had dinner on the flight and then we laid Jackson on the floor around 7 our time.  He was wired and couldn't get to sleep.  We finally gave him melatonin (recommended by our dr.) and he fell asleep within 30 mins.  He slept the ENTIRE flight!  So thankful my kids are great sleepers.  Dave and I took turns laying on 2 seats and sleeping sitting up.  It was uncomfortable, but I did sleep a little.

 When we got  ready to land, we picked Jackson up off the floor and he groggily rubbed his eyes, stretched and then gave the cutest grin and said, "I'm in ITALY!!!"  He was so thrilled.  It was a moment I was so glad to be experiencing this with him.


      Getting there  Day 1 Venice   Day 2 Italian Alps Day 3 Cinque Terre  Day 4 Florence  Day 5 Rome  Day 6 Vatican