Sorry, I am a day late posting. We flew home yesterday but I am just getting around to posting now. It was very sad leaving the boys. How could it be easy to leave these cute guys?:
OWENCHARLIEJULIAN
Robyn and David run a wonderful household and the three boys are a joy. Owen making observations about the world that I need his father to interpret because they are much to complicated for me to understand. Charlie saying one cute thing after another (“It’s raining so it would be gooder to take the umbrella to the car”). And Julian seems to adore Grandpa (not sure why, but I am NOT complaining). In addition to the boys and their wonderful parents, I love the bowl that greets me everytime I enter the house. See below.
What could be nicer than a bowl of Ghirardelli chocolates?
Our flight home was uneventful but today we had to go back to the airport because Erica was scheduled to return to Spain. She had a late afternoon flight so we had some time to just hang out. We got to the airport in plenty of time and stayed with her for as long as we could. I promised her I would not cry when she finally left.
I lied.
I am back home and feeling better; talk to you later this month when we have a fun road trip planned.
Sorry, I was too busy with the boys yesterday to make a blog entry. I played with baby Julian who continues to have a thing for grandpa which really makes me happy. Owen and I watched basketball together. Damn I wished he lived in LA so I had a sports pal.
Last night we saw Charlie and the other kindergarteners perform the annual “Farm Show”. Of course, it was incredibly cute.
Today Patrice, Erica and I volunteered in Charlie’s class. It quickly became evident why I won’t be invited back. I said to the teacher “Is there anything cuter than a crying kindergartener?”
No more for now, Julian is calling me (not really but I like to pretend).
It’s almost time for Erica to return to Spain (sob, sob). When we planned her trip home she had expressed a desire to visit the grandsons up north so we are on our way. The flight this morning was spectacular. First, we had to battle heavy LA traffic to get to LAX. Then we were stopped at security because apparently I was randomly selected not to be given TSA pre-check. I don’t understand why this is needed. Here you have a doctor traveling with his wife and child. A man that has a squeaky clean record when it comes to the law. Someone who doesn’t own a gun or any weapons (unless of course, you count a cell phone as a weapon). Someone who has gone through the process to get TSA clearance. Why is it necessary to submit this individual to additional screening? Is it because the TSA representative wanted to look in my wallet (which he did) or because he wanted to grab my ass (yes, he did that too).
Moments before Mr. TSA grabbed my butt.
Finally, I was reunited with Patrice at the gate but there was no sign of Erica. Apparently, we bought some “Slime” for the boys and this toy was deemed a threat to the plane and other passengers so Erica was sent back to check her carry on bag along with the “Slime”. Finally, we were on our way. Well not quite. Perfect weather in Los Angeles and San Jose was not enough. Our flight was delayed 40 minutes due to some “technical difficulties”. I like to think it was because one of the tray tables wouldn’t retract. But they weren’t specific which always makes me wonder if maybe there’s a problem with an engine or the landing gear. Whatever the problem we were finally cleared to go. I failed to mention that shortly after boarding a baby started crying. The baby didn’t stop until about 45 minutes into the flight. At least the baby wasn’t in the seat next to me, but she was in the seat directly behind me. I just don’t know about these parents today. My daughter Erica was perfectly behaved throughout the entire flight.
So with being accosted by the TSA, a 40-minute flight delay, severe turbulence, and a crying baby, you might be asking how could this guy describe today as “A Great Flight”? Simple answer, I completed the crossword puzzle and all 3 Sudoku puzzles prior to landing. Yes, a great flight.
Well it’s time to meet up with the boys. Patrice and I are trying out for a very important assignment but more about that later.
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 