How to start your christmas holidays...

1. First, get your grove on at work the day your vacation starts. 2. Leave work later than planned so that you are rushing to finish packing before the airport van picks you up. 3. Get to airport with time to spare but no seats as the four flights prior to yours are delayed...SIGNIFICANTLY 4. Luck out with the on-time departure with a strong jet stream. 5. Marvel at the estimated 3:45 flight time from LA to DC. 6. Realize your child is going to be "That Child" for a portion of the flight as he totally fights going to sleep. 7. Relax at last because child is asleep, attempt to shut eyes but realize it's too late and you are wide awake. 8. Comfort crying child who was rudely awakened by the announcement the landing gear doesn't work and the crew is prepping for an emergency landing. 9. Wonder about the statement "We PLAN to land on the runway" 10. Learn the brace position for crash landing, buckle screaming child in to seat, wait for the "BRACE" announcement. 11. Land, watch fire engines, police and emergency vehicles rush to plane, drive around plane, point out the fire engines to child. 12. Get off plane very happy to be alive in freezing cold rain. 13. Sleep most of the morning while child plays with grandparents. 14. Wake up next morning to a child who doesn't look quite right. Spend morning catching projectile vomit in hands. 15. Escape to grocery store for pedialyte, motrin and benedryl. Find out 24 hour bug going around. 16. Watch child spend entire morning in grandpa's arms. 17. Wake up next morning to an utterly happy and playful child. 18. Ruin the day by frightening the life out of child with fat bearded guy in red suit. 19. Redeem the day by making gingerbread cookies with your child. 20. Watch child lose his mind not wanting to go to sleep while you rock and soothe child. Get child to finally go to sleep. 21. WAKE child up next morning. Take to vineyard, realize vacation has actually begun. We are with the east coast grandparents. It's actually been a lovely time so far. We still have one present to buy. Our plans are to go to NYC on Monday, hang out with the family on Tuesday-Thursday and then hit the smithsonian museums the rest of the holiday. We've been lucky to catch up with friends already and have a date. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good FLIGHT