When Are We Taking Off?

We took an exciting trip to the Rochester International Airport this morning with our homeschool group, Charity LEAH. This was probably the most interesting field trip we've done so far. Going to security was no problem...the boys were so handsome, they just let us through (ha, ha!). In my opinion, the best part of the tour was going on the airplane.

Apparently, when most groups come through, they might meet a pilot and crew in passing. However, the plane we toured had just arrived in Rochester and the crew was going "home" (aka the hotel to rest) until tomorrow morning. They stopped and talked with us for a long time and answered questions. Captain Will and the flight attendents offered to go back on the plane and start it up for us...

Everyone was invited to come and sit in the co-pilot's seat and touch some buttons...oohhh!

The lights and fans worked, we were served snack packs, and we saw the safety demonstration. Once we were settled and eating our snack, Luke said, "Mama, when are we taking off?..." Even though I had explained numerous times that we wouldn't actually be flying, the hope was still alive...

At the baggage claim, we put our coats on the conveyor belt from the loading area where our actual baggage is placed on...did you ever wonder what it looks like behind the wall and those "magic doors" where your suitcases come through...it's basically a dirty garage...not really exciting. Then we came around to the baggage claim and waited for our coats to come through. Once we were home, I asked the boys what their favorite part of the trip was thinking of all the cool things mentioned above. As he was rubbing his tummy, Eli said, "My favorite part was lunch!" Unbelieveable! I packed PBJ, oranges, cookies and juice boxes...we do "lunch" everyday! But it was exciting to eat at an airport cafe overlooking the runway! Luke said, "Smacking my hand on the wall!" Our airport is going through renovations right now so there are lots of places covered with drywall. When tour groups come through, they have the children place a painted handprint on the walls. Charity LEAH has marked our spot until that construction area is done and the wall is removed.

All in all, a very fun day and with the price of plane tickets, that is probably the closest our boys will come to "taking off" in a long time...