Holiday time again - although, we never seem to take a holiday at any consistent time of year so I'm not sure saying it's time again is really apt. However...
We had a flight to Amsterdam at 6am, which meant getting up at 4am, to get dressed and out to the airport in time to check-in. There was a lot left to take care of before we took off, so I was up late... getting to be bed just after 2am. Needless to say, I was pretty knackered when my wife attempted to wake me up. I think I was dreaming at the time, something about trying to find my class in secondary school - so when she tapped my shoulder I rather flailed about, startling her as well. It was a good couple of hours before I was really cognizant exactly what was going on. As the flight out of Edinburgh was at 6am, this meant I was pretty much a zombie until sometime after we took off.
I can't really remember what took place at the airport. I do remember falling asleep before the plane actually headed down the run way. The plane staff woke me up for breakfast about 15 mins after we took off, which was good as I was starving. Unfortunately, this meant I had just enough sleep to not feel sleepy again for a while. The flight to Amsterdam is only an hour, and then there was a two hour layover and off to Minnesota.
Minneapolis/St Paul Airport is a pretty cool place. It has a fairly large number of shops and restaurants, so there's a lot to do (during the four hour layover). We found a number of things I was tempted to pick up, everything from t-shirts with moose on them (they really like moose in Minnesota) to cowgirl and cowboy chocolate bars. I'm not really sure what cowgirl/cowboy chocolate bars are, but they sounded interesting. There was also a really lovely American Indian leather jacket, which was only several hundred pounds.
The last leg of the trip was to San Francisco. The flight was overbooked so they were asking for voluntary bumping, which we opted to do as it would mean the next flight to the states would be $300 less (thanks to the voucher for bumping from the flight). They didn't end up needing us, so we boarded last. This resulted in our carry-on bags having to be put under the seat, making no room my feet. It was not the most enjoyable four hours I've ever spent.
Once to San Fran, we had to pick up a car (mini van as for most of the holiday we'll be transporting myself, my wife, my daughter, my son, my daughter-in-law, and my two grandsons). And drove the two hours up to San Anselmo (near San Rafael) where my son lives. It was 9pm when we drove away from the airport (5am on Friday morning UK time) and I was beyond exhausted. We made it, but it was difficult. Normally, I don't find it any problem to switch from driving on the left side to driving on the right, but the drive north was a struggle.
The grandkids were already asleep when we arrived, so after some quick pleasantries we collapsed in our beds. It was just after midnight and the boys get up at 7am. So, a short night of sleep.
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The following morning poor Curran (the wee-est boy, only 15 months old) doesn't really know us, so he was a bit shy to start. But later that morning he and I went for a walk in the hills (about an hour up through the redwood trees and very expensive homes in the area). It was a good walk, but it's been a while since I've held a wee-un for so long and my arms were pretty sore by the time I got back. However, it did the trick. From that point forward, Curran and I have been pretty insuperable.
Eddie, and my daughters took a trip down south for a friends birthday, and my son had to work, so I ended up with baby sitting duty - tough job for a grandparent. It was a wonderful day, but kids are exhausting. I marvel at people who have young children. I couldn't do it again. Once is a while is wonderful, but to actually go through the process of raising a pair from start to finish... nope, not for me. Been their, done that! I love kids, but it's a lot of work.
My parents arrived mid day, so they were there to help take care of the grandkids. We didn't get much of a chance to chat as the grandkids took a fair amount of attention. Still, it was a good afternoon.
After my son, grandkids and parents went out for dinner, the kids headed to bed. My son and I tried to hold a conversation, but I was beyond the point of exhaustion. I kept falling asleep on him. So, I headed to bed, with Eddie getting home at around midnight. I don't know how she survived driving back late at night, but then again, she did sleep on the flight more than I had.
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It's now Saturday and I've had yet another walk with the grandkids (another hour long walk up a hill). It's getting easier to carry the wee-un, so I'm getting a work out every morning. No real schedule today, but likely go to shopping as we have a wedding to attend next weekend and still don't have a gift yet.
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