And we’re off! 

Writing from the Kahului, Maui, airport while waiting for our 10:54 pm flight.  The boys are beside me, playing “multi-player” on their electronic games.  Some thoughts on embarking on our trip to get Malia:

• I’m liking the Sunday night flight.  We had all weekend to get packed, clean the house (kinda), enjoy Easter Sunday brunch then dinner with the family, and make our way to the airport at leisurely pace.  The trip is shorter, but it’s been much less stressful than trying to leave on a work day or on a Saturday morning.
• Got a chuckle going through security.  It’s finally getting easy!  The boys can handle their own luggage and make their way through without any problem; we’re no longer carrying so much kid stuff; and we’re no longer feeling sheepish about holding everyone else up.  And now we’re going back to the little kid days!!!  One change though – we’re experienced parents now, and more comfortable thinking that the folks behind us can just be patient!
• We have tons of room in our suitcases for the trip over – we even put one suitcase inside another!  Pretty sure it will all be crammed to overflowing on the way back.
• No obvious puzzled looks coming our way for carrying a bright red stroller with only a 9 and an 11 year old around.  But I’m sure people have wondered. 
• The whole language barrier thing with Malia remains a little daunting.  It will be strange having a member of the family who doesn’t understand your language (much less speak it).  Intellectually, I know she’ll pick language up fast, but it is somewhat intimidating as a parent.

Now, I’m just ready for the plane to get here so I can sleep!

Here’s a picture of the family ready to go!  There seems to be one empty seat.