It seems like just a few short months ago we received a phone call from my sister-in-law that her and her boyfriend were going to be married. We actually heard lots of big news that day. Not only were they getting married, but they were expecting their first child together! Matt & Christa also told us about their impending arrival that day as well. That day is etched in my mind for good reason, I get excited about hearing about new babies & weddings!
As the planning for this wedding progressed, it came to pass that the affair would take place about 11,000 kilometres away in a place that I honestly had no desire to visit. Thailand. It scared the crap out of me. I tried endlessly to convince my husband to leave the children at home. There were just too many variables I couldn't count on and I wasn't sure what to do. In the end he convinced me that the best place for them is where we are, especially since his sister asked if they could possibly be in the wedding! The thought of having them perform ring bearers duties for the first time was quite a draw for me, surprisingly.
I decided it wouldn't be so bad if I could do as much smart preparation as possible. We talked of Thailand with the boys often. They knew we were going to ride elephants. They knew we were going to go on a long, long, long airplane ride. They knew who was going to come with us - several family members they don't see enough of... I read books of all sorts on travelling with toddlers/children/crazy boys. I learned about new products, about the wisdom of drugging my children, etc. I was inundated with information I hoped was helpful. Basically I worked hard at having an idea of what I was up against. I even went on the radio and talked to Claire Newell about it. She told me to 1. Leave the kids at home and 2. Bring everything but the kitchen sink. Claire was partly wrong.
We parred down. We brought no sling, carrier, stroller, carseats, playpen, or large toys. I was happy not to have an infant to be able to get away with that - and honestly we didn't miss any of it! Walking through the airport was almost a breeze. The boys each had those nasty backpack leashes which I detest, but they felt necessary. I felt good each time we went through security and never felt like I held up the line, or that the process of going through was a pain. I just put our carry-ons up, took each backpack off each child and walked right through. Amazing! My father-in-law had more trouble, but he has a system : )
I guess what I'm trying to say is at the end of reading all I did and experiencing what I already had previously, I tried to pack smart and prepare smart. Some would think it would be better to bring everything in case you needed it, not so. We found it was so much easier to travel with less and if we needed something, we would just buy it there or rent it - especially since everything was so cheap!
The preparation majorly paid off! As we landed in Hong Kong after a 13.5 hour flight, my lovely 3 year old son turned to his Daddy and said, "Thank-you Daddy for taking me on this airplane ride!" He was honestly happy as a lark to be up there. I never heard him cry. Malachi cried for about 20 minutes the whole flight. Other than that they played, watched DVD's, played on Daddy's iTouch, went for walks, and slept. I have never experienced a better flight with them. NEVER. And they've been to Ontario (2x), Minnesota, Hawaii, & Mexico.
Once we were actually in Thailand, it was easy to get into vacation mode. The first few days in Koh Samui I never left the resort. I stayed by the pool, by the beach, and in the beautiful air conditioned villa. I loved it. I would go back in a heartbeat, but this time I would work harder to convince Nate to leave the boys at home! As good as they were, and as much as I agreed in the end that it was a good decision to bring them.. When I got back home I felt like I needed "Nate time" We were constantly taking turns with the boys doing this or that and I just missed him in the end. Of the whole 2 and a half weeks we were away, Nate and I went out for dinner once. That was mainly our choice. My in-laws likely will never get a chance like that to visit Thailand again. I didn't want them watching the boys. I wanted them to enjoy their vacation and enjoy spending time with their own children.
I will say I haven't slept like that in ages. There was only one night that Nate & I were up past 11 - save for late night flights - other than that we were early to bed and late to get up. We actually might buy a new bed, king size : )
The boys were the best ring bearers.. if you know of anyone looking for two beautiful boys to walk down the aisle on that special day - seriously!! They wore their matching black short suits with vests, held hands, waved to the guests and excitedly strolled in bare feet in the sand. I was so proud to call them mine.
Thailand to me was serenely gorgeous. She was familiar, but vastly different from anywhere I've ever visited. She was friendly, but sometimes for the wrong reasons. The food was outstanding, and it created a hunger for more authentic Thai dishes once I was home. Thailand may have been a place I never intended to visit, but it became a dream I couldn't seem to wake from.
I have to thank my sister in law. Without her, I don't know if I ever would have decided to take a chance on visiting this place that now I have so many fun memories of. My kids now have pictures of themselves holding a baby Tiger, of riding an elephant, and of a ride on a tuk-tuk not to be forgotten.
The pictures really don't do it justice, but I'll try.
