Marzolf Summer Trip

[From Bret]

We got off to kind of a late start, trying to leave home at 8 Am and instead leaving at 8:30 Pm. Once we got to the airport everything went pretty smoothly.

We checked our bags at the skycap which sped things up. I never know how much you're supposed to tip for things like that. According to tipping.org, it's $1 or more a bag which is basically what we left. Grandma was gracious enough to give us some small bills that we didn't have at the time $4.

The security checkpoint went fast but dealing with a stroller, a laptop, and the many other carry-on items was a hassle - but that's fine...none of it was unreasonable.

The flight went smoothly for most of the family.

Allison passed out as soon as we were up in the air.  She slept for about an hour and half until the flight staff came by with lunch. After that she was slightly challenging but we were able to keep her occupied with toys and signing times videos.

Griffin, as suspected was pretty easy. Once we were up high in the air they started the movies (Firehouse Dog and The little mitsy or something like that). Griffin initially wanted to watch the movie (having also to borrow Dad's new headphones), but quickly lost interest. After some lunch (cheeseburger, chips, kit kat bar, and brownie), he was plaving his beloved DS and would continue to do so until shortly before we landed.

Mom was the lucky one, she got the seat between Allison on the window and Griffin on the aisle, so she had her hands full most of the time. While Allison was sleeping, Mom was able to watch the Firehouse Dog moview for a little bit. I haven't asked yet but I'm guessing she would say that the flight went better than expected.

I was miserable most of the flight. I started getting a painful headache just before we boarded the plane. When lunch was served and I ate a little of the cheeseburger, my stomach started feeling upset. Throughout the flight I was battling both the head and stomach pain, while entertaining Allison for a very short bit and changing her diaper. Do you know how challenging it is to change a 18-months old diaper in an airplan bathroom? Try doing it while your ill :) Eventually, I felt so quesy I was vomitting - luckily I was able to wait until I got to the bathroom on the plane. Fun fun fun. I'm not sure why I was sick - I didn't feel anything coming on...perhaps I was sick from the flight but I've never had a problem with air travel sickness...perhaps it was the sever lack of sleep from the previous night trying to get everything packed and ready to go...I don't know...

Once the plain landed about 15 mins ahead of chedule (6:45 PM), we got our baggage and changed Allison - her clothes were wet probably due to the awkward diaper change Dad performed on the plane. We rented a cart for $3 and rolled our 8 items or so out to the ground transportation pickup area where a white minivan from Dial 7 car service arrived - we didn't have to wait long (5-10 mins). The minivan seemed quite small and the driver was going to make us hold the kids in our lap in order to get the bags in but we got it worked out to where everyone had their own seat and the bags fit just fine. The driver, having somewhat of an Indian accent, was courteous and professional and was a pleasant conversationalist. He got us to our destination safely and securely. After all was said and done we wound up spending $82 to get from Newark airport to our hotel.

When we arrived at our hotel at a little after 8 PM, the Shelburne Murray Hill hotel, we were informed that they didn't have the room we requested but would upgrade us to a 1-bedroom suite which was just fine by us. Upon arrival to our room we were quite pleased. A few minutes a crib arrived as requested.

The next thing to figure out was where to eat dinner. We looked at some info the hotel provided and did a little research on the internet (internet access costs $10 per 24 hours). Our first idea was to go to a spooky/horror-themed restaurant called Jekyll & Hyde's but decided against it because we thought Allison might be too scared of the surroundings there (Griffin would've loved it). We still hadn't figured out where to eat and I started to get sick again. I thought I could "tough it out" but I just couldn't. Mom finally made a command decision and ordered room service while Dad went out to a nearby convenience store to get some ibuprofen and drinks. After taking some ibuprofen, I was still feeling bad and finally succumbed to sleep. Mom was flying solo the rest of the night putting the kids to bed. Griffin slept in between Mom and Dad and Allison slept in her crib.