“Yes, Dad’s gone, but we are going to go and meet him in a few weeks”. “me!” she would exclaim each time I would explain that we were going to see dad on a big airplane. “ha-ha-topter?” no not a helicopter, on an airplane.
For the next two weeks, no matter where we were, Charlotte would tell anyone who would listen “da-dah’s gone!”, sometimes adding “Wool’s gone...”. This happened at daycare, at the grocery store and just about any other time we were out running errands. She would sometimes say it in such a distraught tone that I always felt the need to explain to people that dad hadn’t ‘left’ us, but rather he was simply away on a business trip. When I asked her if she would like to go and visit Dad soon, she emphatically replied, “Me!”
Finally the day came that I promised her - we were going to see Dad! After packing for two weeks, readying a carry-on bag full of toddler snacks and entertainment and running every possible scenario through my head, we were prepared to leave for the airport Saturday December 3rd at 7:30am.
First leg: Halifax to Toronto. Somehow we lucked out and got the entire last row of the plane which was good for a restless toddler anxious to see her da-dah.
Second leg: Toronto to Los Angeles. After a brief layover in Pearson International, we were on our way to the United States. This time were weren't as lucky and had a single seat to share next to two reasonably large men. Charlotte was not pleased with this arrangement and let the seat in front of us know it with more than occasional kick, (sorry whoever you are.) After a long five hour flight wrestling her we finally arrived at LAX. Whew!
Note to self: Trim toddlers nails before trying to attempt restraining her on next flight; or end up looking like you tried to give a cat a bath.
This time our layover was a bit longer (6 hours) so we planned a snack, a bath and a bit of a nap at a nearby hotel. When we arrived they were filming an episode of Glee in the hotel lobby. This would have been more exciting if we hadn’t already had plans before embarking on the third leg of our four leg journey. It included bubbles in a bathtub and nap under a fluffy duvet!
Third (and longest) leg: Los Angeles to Auckland. After what seemed like only an hour, we were back at the airport waiting to board Air New Zealand’s overnight flight from LAX to Auckland at 9:30pm (for those keeping track its still Saturday.) The pending flight being 15 hours door to door. "Uggghhhh," I thought to myself, "tough enough on a fairly well adjusted adult - this was likely to be a nightmare with an exhausted toddler." I gritted my teeth and braced myself for the nightmare to begin...
Thankfully, we were given a bassinet that was installed like a large canvas basket on the wall in front of my seat. Charlotte quickly fell asleep in my arms shortly after dinner service allowing me to move her to the bassinet without waking her.
Though it was clearly small for her, she made it work, and much to my amazement and everyone around us, slept for nearly 9 hours (yes, 9 HOURS!) Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I dozed in the comfy new pod-seats of Premium Economy.
In fact, I actually woke up feeling refreshed and was able to enjoy breakfast service before Charlotte woke up for the breakfast service.
After finally arriving at Auckland airport (6:30am local time, on Monday - somewhere along the way, we lost Sunday!) we were faced with another long layover in Auckland. Damn, so close yet so much time to go.
The hotel in LA was great, so we quickly decided to head over to the Kiwi Airport Hotel... but not before grabbing a snack of apple slices for Charlotte and a ‘flat white’ for mum.
Mmmmmm, Aunty Lucy was right Tig. The coffee is much better here!
Ok, one more flat white and then we’ll go to the hotel...
After another welcome nap and a shower, we headed out for a strawberry ice cream at the strawberry farm nearby, before making our way back to the airport. At this point, Charlotte seems to be seriously doubting my promise of producing Dad, but the ice cream seems to be working as a reasonable consolation prize.
Last leg: Auckland to Dunedin. Back at the departure lounge while waiting for our flight to board, Charlotte walked around waving to everyone saying ‘bye-bye’ seeming to know the drill well at this point. That’s right Tiggy, next stop Dunedin!
Another two hours and we finally land at our destination at 4:30pm Monday. Just as we are making our way from the gate Charlotte spots her Dad riding up the escalator. She threw her little arms up in the air and squealed with delight,
“Da-dah!”.
Finally mum makes good on her promise!
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