So the fam packed it up and went at the crack of dawn to the air show! Being airshow amateurs, we left the chairs elsewhere, the big umbrella in the car and the cooler full of cold stuff and vittles home in the cupboard and fridge. We also didn't know that "snag a spot" should have been first on the agenda, not waiting an hour to walk through a c-5. And that was without waiting to go through the cockpit.
!
About midday, we figured that my mom, Matthew and I could leave and return much better prepared. The good news is we were in only the second row of cars. The bad news: an hour wait to come back through the metal detectors. As we went to drive away, the "lucky" ones whose job it was to monitor the parking lot ALL (8) came to my window at once to answer my questions. But can you blame them, bored, hot and a cute girl is calling at them for help.
"Yes maa'am, you would have to follow the crowd (including an unlimited line of cars that faded off into the distance) when coming back in" and "No ma'am, you wouldn't be able to return to the one of MANY parking spots at the front, including the one you had just vacated but rather park out here in this nice empty spot miles away at the end of the line" and "yes ma'am, we think walking from BFE is a great treat to get to come to an airshow" and "no ma'am, we don't care if you have a baby here and a stroller already inside"
So I did the only logical thing. Pulled over and called Steve. So after sitting in the middle of the lane of traffic for 15 minutes. Finally, one of the others (no I don't mean the oh-so-anxious ones from the first) came over and asked if I need help. "No, just waiting to get a hold of my husband so I can pick him up."
It all worked out because since I technically could not get into line following all the others on account of the end being no where in sight. I just acted like I knew exactly what I was doing, that I hadn't already been given such polite instructions, and turned around and drove back. Parked in my exact spot. And sent my mom in for the boys.
We took a nice break in the air conditioned commissary where I got a few fun deals. Then went through possibly the slowest drive thru at a fast food restaurant ever! I mean how hard is it to nuke 6 Junior Whoppers.
Having being refreshed and rejuvenated by my "Simply Lemonade" I got for $1, we decided to go back to the Thunderbirds. Ignoring the hordes of people, who had no idea that once they went inside they were too late to find an open sight line to the flight line and would probably miss half the show anyway. We pointed ourselves in the opposite direction. Found a nice spot of lawn and watched the rest of the show from there!
Conner informed us for the first time ever what he was going to be when he grew up. Any guesses? Yep, he was going to fly planes. Later in the day after a visit to the biggest plane he had ever seen. "Mom, I want to fly the biggest plane in the world. The so-so-so big one. Mom, what is the biggest plane in the world?" A little later I asked him if he was going to jump out of planes too, as we had just watched more jumpers. He scoffed, as only a five year old can do to his mom and said, "No, I am going to fly them, not jump out of them." And finally as the capstone of the day. Big was no longer the winner. But rather FAST! he was going to fly the FASTEST plane in the world. "Mom, what's the fastest plane in the world?"
**Luckily, I am the smartest mom ever and answered all questions by referring him to an upcoming trip to the aerospace museum where I am sure we could find out the biggest and fastest planes.**
Bet you can't guess what he had just watched?
The THUNDERBIRDS!
My baby was entranced. With more oohs and aahs and pointing than had been exhibited to this point in his life. My older one was like a hawk searching the skies. And my darling? Well, he was just like a kid. Who says we spend all day in the sun to show our kids something cool? I think we secretly do it for the kid inside us all.
Conclusion: We will be doing this again.
*or at least something I don't want to forget!
