After Audrey's morning nap, we had a quick snack, smothered ourselves in SPF 70, and left for the air show. The gates opened at nine o'clock, but the demonstrations didn't begin until eleven. We left the house at eleven fifteen.
I had just merged with traffic on the 601, which is an elevated highway, and Madelyn announced that she saw red in the sky. I thought of fire. So I had to gawk, too. It was the Army's Golden Knights. They are a parachute team that fall in formation, with some sort of vapor trailing them. They chose red vapor. I have no idea why. Maybe it was because the red was a pretty sharp contrast with the bright blue Texas sky.
So we continued on to the Global Reach exit towards Biggs Air Field. It was a rather smooth trip. Even with stoplights and spectators coming from all directions, traffic moved very efficiently. The parking attendants were thick and were quick to halt any rogue drivers trying to cut off and park elsewhere. Of all of the Military events, either sponsored by or held on their property, this was by far the most organized.
There was a break after the Golden Knights while we were getting out of the truck. So I used that time to my advantage to get my Kiddy Limo fully stocked. I had baby bottles, water for the bottles, baby food, baby spoons, wipes, diapers, sunglasses, digital SLR camera, video camera, iPhone, wallet, Military ID, and a general sense of direction for where we needed to be headed. Audrey and Hannah were loaded into the Limo, and off we went towards the shuttle station, with Madelyn's hand tucked in mine.
The shuttles were school buses contracted from all of the local school districts. I saw lots of names on the sides of these buses. Madelyn was so happy she was speechless, which is good because now I know how to quiet her down. She has 'always' wanted to ride a school bus. Hannah was terrified. She did not want to get out of the stroller. A nice attendant approached to assist with loading my stroller into the back of the bus
and Hannah lost it. She started screaming. So there I was, holding Audrey, and trying to unclench two fists of a two-year-old who was determined to stay in that stroller. Madelyn jumped on the bus behind me and I almost lost it. I was not comfortable having her separated from me. But it was the thing that I needed. Hannah had seen her and was up those stairs and nestled by her sissy's side in a blink. I had no idea what happened. So I shrugged my shoulders and boarded the bus, too. We were the last to load, so the driver shut the door and off we went.
The bus was allowed to go off-road! We went along a very rocky path towards the end of an air strip, which marked the Entrance to the Air Show. It was so bumpy, and it made it hard to take a good picture of the girls. But they were eating it up, so far. Buses sure are different now than they were when I was growing up. These things had air-conditioning and a radio!
After we came to a complete stop, we disembarked and found our Kiddy Limo waiting for us. That was great service! I re-mounted all my gear, including kids, and struck off towards the entrance. I looked up and there was a massive silver something gleaming in the sun. I shouted, "Photo Op!" to the kids and they lined up on cue. They knew what to do, even Audrey. So proud of them.
I have no idea what that thing is in the background. I was very curious. So we continued on.
We arrived at the main gate about a quarter of a mile later. It was getting warm outside. I didn't realize how much warmer it would be on all of that pavement of the runway. I was just ecstatic that I had remembered sunblock. I had remembered lots of sunblock. :)
We were herded into the 'stroller' line for a pat down. I told them it was a Limo, but those Air Force guys didn't understand. Our goods were examined and we were sent on our way. I had lots of contraband in there. I had brought in outside food and drinks. But, maybe they gave me allowances since I was alone with three girls.
I was waiting to purchase a ticket for Madelyn and myself when someone tapped me on my shoulder. It was an early-teen boy asking me if I wanted to buy his ticket instead. I was disappointed. Scalpers at an air show. Sheesh. What next? Then he said his friend got sick and couldn't come and they had an extra ticket. It was a pre-purchased ticket for Madelyn and four dollars cheaper than what I would have had to have paid, even with the military discount. So I bought the six dollar ticket from the little guy. He was very polite. I gave him a ten, and he gave me three ones. Humph. Then his mom came up behind him and gave me a dollar in nickels and dimes and pennies. Oh great. Whatever. I bought my ticket and a program and was herded, again, through another gate. This time it was to tear of the ticket stub of the tickets I had just purchased. Madelyn didn't take that part too well.
"Aww, we just got these!"
Once we stepped in we could tell how well this thing was set up. Children's Play Land was right there. All the bouncy castles, inflatable slides, tilt-a-whirls, face and body painting, etc at our fingertips. They all varied from one to three tickets per ride. Tickets were a dollar each. Oh boy.
I tried to keep the girls distracted from the money pit, a.k.a. Children's Play Land, as I pushed on through onto the main strip. It was an actual runway with venders perched on the sides. In the middle were static displays. Each branch of the U.S. Military had a wide section. We saw all sorts of vehicles, and aircraft. But, our attention was drawn to the sky. There was a moron up there whose engine was busted. He never landed, though! He just kept trying to die. So I took a picture.
I guess he made it. I bet his mechanic was upset with him blowing the engine during the air show like that. Oh well. His loss. It sure was entertaining for us to watch! He was so disoriented that he kept flying upside down, up and around in a loop and rolling over and over. I wonder if that cabin was equipped with a vomit bag. Oh, and I videoed it, too. Just in case CNN didn't get it on film. I will sell them mine!
I knew that the Blue Angels were at the far East end of the strip. We headed that way. That walk was a long one. We had to stop for lunch in the middle. We ate nachos, and Audrey had her bottle, under a Chinook. Pretty shady.
I had to yell "Photo Op!"a few times before we made it to the Blue Angels.
I had to take this picture for Jay's Dad
Madelyn had to pose in front of something.
I just liked this shade of yellow. I have no idea what it is.
Hannah didn't care. She had ice cream.
This wasn't meant for public groping, but the guy said
that the girls could sit in it. He was nice.
I like how the 'rescue' is pointing at Madelyn.
Hannah pulled the 'aw, shucks' maneuver on me.
She didn't want to get out of that helicopter.
Blackhawk down!
Well, it is. Its on the ground.
This guy wasn't getting any attention at all. I couldn't
let him feel left out. So I snapped one of him, too.
I think he smiled when we walked on past.
Another 'For Papa' Picture. Hannah really didn't care.
She was elbow deep in her ice cream cup in the Limo.
Well, two hours after we left the house, we finally made it to the Blue Angels. They were fenced off, but still pretty close. So I captured them, as well. I had to make my photo collection complete.
It was ten after one in the afternoon. It took us forever to walk to this end of the runway. The girls were beat and Audrey had had enough of the front seat of the Limo. I had to put her in my Baby Bjorn front pack baby carrier thing to give her a change of scenery. She had moved from being at everyone's butt level to boob level. She was very happy. Squealing and waving her arms like a crazy person, actually. Glad I could make someone feel better. Madelyn had worn flip-flops and was getting a blister, and Hannah was ready for her nap. Yes. We have begun the 'winding down' segment of our day. Ugh. And we were three miles from our truck. Double Ugh. Or, Ugh Ugh, I guess.
We worked our way back through the crowd, which wasn't too terribly bad. I was moving rather slowly. Hannah had crept into Audrey's former seat, and Madelyn was on the bench of the Limo with her shoes off. I was now pushing fifty pounds and carrying twenty-two on my shoulders. That walk was getting longer and longer. The sun was in our eyes and the girls were getting whiny.
So was Mommy.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear? But, visions of aircraft zooming in near.
There was something that usually dropped bombs giving a demonstration.
Again, I have no idea what it was, but it was awesome to watch. Ten minutes flew by without any of us making a peep. That thing was highly maneuverable and fast. It kept Hannah's attention, and that is saying something.
I was wondering what we should do. The Blue Angels took flight at three. I had an hour and a half to kill. I decided to quit worrying and just finish wandering the show. Neither diapered child had pooped, so I wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere.
I wanted to see that silver thing that I had spotted when we arrived. So we sped down towards the West end of the runway. There weren't any spectators over there. I had a clear path to walk with the kids. That made it nice because the Limo was difficult to turn and stop when I had Hannah and Madelyn, both, in it.
I did discover that there were, indeed, people over there. They were just all huddled under the silver ship. I opened my mouth to say "Photo Op!" but Madelyn was already muttering "I know. I know," while she was getting her shoes back on. Good puppy.
That is Madelyn in the front center, to show you how massive this thing really is. The ship had NASA on it. I was told that Biggs Airfield has the longest runways in the nation. It is the back-up landing site for the space shuttles. Whoever wrote Google verified those facts for me. Doesn't it look so awkward?!? It's like a huge Hercules thing has Down's Syndrome. Its amazing that it gets airborne. Madelyn just said it looked like a dolphin. She's right. Well, more like a porpoise.
We wiggled over to the money pit and I started struggling with Audrey. Hanging directly in front of me put her within arms reach of the command center of the Limo. I had Hannah's cup of frozen lemonade in one cup holder, my iPhone in the other, and my truck keys in a little compartment with a flip-top lid. I couldn't see any of those things through her red-headed noggin. I knew I was in trouble when I heard the keys jingling. I quickly figured out what she was up to and had to relocate them to the bottom of my purse. That required me to bend over, with Audrey dangling in front of me, and putting her very close to the pavement. I dug everything out of the stroller, stuffed my keys into the purse, zipped it, and replaced all my items I had scattered around me.
After another twenty feet or so, people started to smile at me. I knew Audrey was so stinkin' adorable that you have to smile at her, but they were really smiling. I smiled back. Yes. Admire my three girls. They are all gorgeous and wonderful and...
"Ma'am, your infant has your iPhone."
Crap! Audrey! Gimme that!
Madelyn tucked that into my purse that time. I was getting frustrated. My back hurt from that silly baby carrier and my arms hurt from pushing the Limo all day. I looked at the time before Madelyn put the iPhone away. Two-oh-four. Blue Angels fly in about an hour. Do I want to stay and watch, or go home and beat traffic?
GO HOME!
I was pushing the stroller with my finger tips so Audrey was as far back from it as possible. I was about to the ticket booth, so that the girls could slide down one giant slide, when I heard a disturbing noise. It was like a splat.
Then I felt something crawling on my leg.
"Ewww! Get it off! Get it off, Madelyn! ... Wait. What is it"
She just looked up at me with the most pitiful expression on her face.
"Audrey dumped the frozen lemonade. Well, it isn't frozen anymore."
I whipped around sideways to see what had been in front of me. She had dumped it all over the command center of the Limo. And over the diaper bag that was hanging from it. And down my leg. I was a sticky mess. We wormed over to a trash can and I started cleaning with baby wipes. Half of a box later, we were as good as new, and baby fresh.
I was still going to let the girls go down that slide. It had become a mission. We waited for five minutes in the ticket line and found the biggest slide they had. I didn't realize that the entrance was a wall-type of obstacle. Hannah wouldn't have been able to crawl over. Madelyn was gone in a flash. I was mad because I wanted them to go together so Madelyn could help Hannah. But the more I thought about it, I had come to realize that Hannah really didn't need much help in the climbing/falling area.
I wheeled Hannah around to the side, and the attendant lifted her over for me. Hannah had a straight shot at the ladder for the slide. Except she made it half way up before bigger kids decided she was too slow. They burrowed passed her and all of the weight shifting on the inflatable slide distracted and disoriented her. She panicked and the attendant had to give her back to me.
Meanwhile, Madelyn had already gone down the slide and was waiting at my side for Hannah. Since Hannah didn't do it, we didn't use her tickets. Madelyn swiped the tickets and went through again. Fine. Whatever. I am just ready to go home! Audrey is ready to get something else to play with. She reaches for Hannah's hair. Ugh!
Madelyn put her shoes on and we went out to the buses. They weren't so helpful anymore. There was a long line to load the buses going back to the parking lots. Everyone was patient. My kids were just exhausted. Then, out of nowhere, we hear, "Why are you all waiting in this one line? There are three empty ones up ahead!"
Those lines weren't marked. We had no idea. Once we got the go-ahead to scoot on up there, it was like a stampede. People get plumb crazy sometimes.
I had help loading my stroller and we boarded the bus. Bump, bump, and a dash and we were at our stop. No one was there to help me unload the stroller. We were last off the bus and the driver was about to pull away. I was terrified! I ran around, with Audrey flopping in front of me, and jumped up high to hang onto the handle of the back door. It took all 120 pounds of me (hehehe) to pull that handle down. This horrific alarm went off. It was like a cross between a beep and a buzzer. It was very high-pitched. I winced and jerked my stroller out. I slammed the door shut and shoved the handle back up. After getting Audrey out of my front pack and buckled into the front seat of the Limo, we took off for our truck.
The alarm was still sounding. I turned around after about twenty paces and the driver had gotten out to fix the back door. He couldn't get it. I kept walking but listening. He ended up driving off with that terrible sound piercing everyone's ear. I didn't mean to break it. I just didn't want him driving off with my Kiddy Limo. I would have been completely stranded without that thing!
We made it to the car and home without anything too exciting. I had just gotten Audrey snuggled in her crib when I heard the Blue Angels take to the skies again. I had watched them from my house for the last three days. I was too pooped to try to go out and watch again.
I collapsed on the bed and reflected on what a huge experience that entire ordeal was.
It was utterly amazing.
And I would do it again tomorrow, if I could.
But, I am kinda glad that I won't.
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If you have any questions or comments you would like to share directly with me, please email thearmymommy@gmail.com
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