I couldn’t return from my holiday and not write a post about it. With all holidays they have their ups and downs and I am pleased to say this holiday was by far the most smooth running one we have had with Beastie so far. Ok so we have only had four with him to date but that’s not bad for him seeing as he is only two years old. Having said all that we wouldn’t be able to have such lovely breaks away if it wasn’t for my parents deciding to up sticks and move abroad to somewhere much nicer. So thanks Mum and Dad.
My main worry with holidays is the dreaded airport. As a kid I used to love the whole experience, hard not to when you are so excited about flying (if you like flying that is) and your parents are there to deal with your every whim. Fast forward a few years later and it’s me dealing with every whim. I took Beastie on his first flight when he was three months old, on my own. It was quite scary stuff but we managed just fine. The days of the Baby Bjorn carrier are fondly remembered, how simple the journey had been in comparison to today.
We went away at Christmas and the airport saga flying out was truly horrendous. Beastie wanted to run everywhere like a hooligan and would not stay in one place, let alone his buggy. On closer inspection it seemed he was the only child who was making a scene. To make matters worse it was announced we were to be delayed by a few hours once we had all been sent to the boarding gate. Why oh why they don’t know these details before they make everyone queue. We all assumed it was the snow (which was to later close the airport) but it was in fact a missing pilot. Anyhow we made it aboard eventually and the flight was much the same as the airport but obviously much more confined. I hold my hat off to any long haulers out there!
Anyway this time around we fared much better, we got there hitch free and I arrived minus a stinking cold this time too. We were blessed with the best weather I have known for the entirety of our stay and it was nice to just get away from it all for a bit. I made a conscious effort to not be so heavily involved with my emails and twitter account. What’s a week in your life? after all my blog is still here, if only a tad neglected.
The most enjoyable part of the holiday was seeing Beastie have such a ball. As we live in a flat we don’t have a garden for him to enjoy and it was so lovely to see him happily playing/eating/sleeping outdoors. We would love for him to have more opportunity to do that, you can’t beat the freedom of being outdoors.
I have now made a pledge that I am going to make more of an effort to take him swimming on a more regular basis. He excelled with his armbands and was pretty fearless in the water. He was a little more wary of the sea but non the less a little trooper. We were to say the least a little harrassed by the whole beach experience so we left it at just one day this time round.
When we returned we got to visit the new terminal at Alicante airport. It was huge and very confusing and it made us long for the old one that was easy peasy to navigate round. Don’t even ask how much the food cost, I must have been stuck in a time warp somewhere. What really irritated us was the fact that people with young children were not called to board first. We were stuck right at the back of the queue and some kind people ahead of us told us to go up front as they usually let you on. The check in girl huffed and made an excuse about having already made an announcement (which she hadn’t) and grudgingly let us through. I know we shouldn’t expect special treatment but it is common sense for us to board earlier. When I used to travel pre child I would never expect to be boarding first. What I have learnt is that we need to be more pushy from now on!
Here is Beastie trying to knock some teeth out…
hee hee giggled at the bit where Beastie was a hooligan! I think you always feel as if your child is the only one running around! Looks like you all had a lovely time and its making me think we need to go on holiday soon. The pool looks gorgeous x
The pool was 30 degrees most of the time, just right. I am usually such a wuss getting into cold pools but I could easily manage it this time. Usually people splash me and I get mad! he he x
I am so glad you had a nice time, I hate flying so much so I am dreading my first time at an airport with Mads. It gets worse every time I go, which is stupid cause I have been on hundreds of flights in my life. You should def go swimming with Beastie regularly, I go with Mads every week and she loves it even at her age. Although I don't love it as it is a palava to get her ready and in the pool just for half an hour!
You are so lucky to have your parents live abroad, I wish my mum would! Well actually maybe I just wish she would buy somewhere abroad that we could go and visit anytime we wanted! x
That's a lovely picture of the 3 of you, apart from Beasties foot being in your face!
I agree with you that the journey was much easier when they were younger, we flew when both of the 2 eldest were 6 weeks old, I would do that flight over flying with a 2 year old anyday!
x
Sounds perfect!!
You've had four holidays?! FOUR?! I am insanely jealous. I wish my parents would up sticks to somewhere sunny…
Looks like you had a brilliant time though, I feel your pain about the whole boarding thing. We had no idea we were allowed on early when we went away in April so missed the announcement. I ended up being shepherded on, on my own, with a sleeping baby and trying to manhandle a buggy into co-operation at the same time. For some reason they wouldn't let my partner on with us, which was a tad irritating at the time.
I know when I read it back 4 does seem a little indulgent/rubbing it in. It equates to 3 summers and a Christmas.
I wonder why they wouldn't let your partner on with you? What irritates me most about getting a flight is that it doesn't seem to be consistent with how they treat people with kids, so you never know what you're going to get. My husband was left struggling with the broken crappy buggy at the bottom of the steps while I struggled up to get our seats. Stress!
He obviously didn't want my mug in the picture! 2 year olds on planes = trouble! x
What a glorious holiday and so good that you had good weather.
I am happy for you you had a break from cyberspace too
Liska xxx
Oh no that's not great you don't like flying but to be honest I think Mads will take your mind off things slightly!
I agree it is a mission going swimming, it's easier now but when they are still little it's a struggle drying and dressing them and yourself!
For a minute then I thought you wanted your Mum to move away from you! ha ha x
Just read your post properly – the first time we flew the Moby Wrap made it easier tooooo.
RE: swimming I feel terrible as I have only taken Aaron once 🙁
Liska x
I think it has done me good, so much so I have lots more to say now! xx
Liska are you skim reading my posts?!
I never tried a wrap but they look very good too, great to hands free. I only wish I got more use out of mine but didn't put it on for a while because of my section, I didn't want any pulling.
Don't worry still plenty of time, put that on your solstice list 🙂 xx
Looks like a fab holiday and I like Beastie's cheeky pose in that last pic! We got caught up in the x-mas flight debacle too but LLC was not walking so I did not have to run around after her! I too am learning to be assertive when it comes to things…if you don't ask you often don't get.
It's on my solstice list.
RE: skim reading there was only a five minute gap in my comments so I read properly straight away without prompting 🙂 xxx