Who Misses a Flight to Disney World?

We were on vacation anyway when the evacuation was announced. In fact, we were in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho and didn't even know of the "counter revolution" until three days after it happened.

We were in the midst of a typically Tim-Hart-overplanned summer fun extravaganza, mapped out in five minute increments for each of 18 days (I exaggerate only slightly). This meticulous and glorious detail included these ill-fated numerals: 0700 (yes, I plan in military time as it is way easier when up to 8 time zones are involved).

On the morning of our IDA to MCO (yes, I travel enough that I now think in airport codes, so to translate, that's Idaho Falls to Orlando) we were casually driving to the airport at 0600. As we neared the airport, Maddie said, "Cool, look at that plane taking off."

There just aren't that many flights out of Idaho Falls. It took about one second to realize this was bad. Suddenly the scales fell from my eyes and I saw clearly. I remembered the emails received one day prior: "Check in online now for your 6:00 am flight." Oops.

Funny (I use that word because otherwise I get too mad at myself) that writing 0700 on my master schedule created a confirmation bias so powerful that when I received that email, I understood it as "Check in by 6:00 am for your flight."

In any case, there remained the problem of not that many flights departing IDA. We couldn't get to MCO for two more days. Tears were shed. We began making alternative plans to just rent a car and drive to Disneyland that very day.

Ultimately, at the expense of time with Papa J (which had been scheduled to follow five days at Disney World), we were able to push back all Disney reservations two days to spend the same time there.

But seriously, who misses a flight to Disney World?

The Cairo Game

We could be going back in two weeks, in which case this two bedroom high-rise apartment is perfect because it is right at the metro stop and in the heart of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Or we could be going back in 4 months, in which case three kids in one room and constant fighting over who gets to push elevator buttons is just not going to cut it.

Two weeks: rental car. 4 months: buy a reasonable old car.

Two weeks: claim $600 evacuation allowance (once claimed you cannot have any items shipped). 4 months: have up to 700 pounds of our stuff shipped to us. Once shipped, it could take up to a month to arrive, by which time we could be back in Egypt, where we would wait up to a month for our stuff to be shipped back to us. Note that because we were on vacation when evacuation was announced, we have with us only what we took on vacation.

Not complaining, mind you. The evacuation per diem is generous. Just smiling about the quirks of the situation.

Idaho Trip Special Moments

Found a computer, had to get these out before I forgot.

Caleb, while a panoramic x-ray was being administered at the dentist: "Are you sure this isn't a mind control machine? How do I know I will still be me when this is over?"

And during his eye exam: "First of all, I'm going to need to know what all these weapons are for?"

Then Caleb and I conquered the roller coasters of Disney World. Maddie didn't want to. Henry was too short, and I don't suspect he really wanted to either. Caleb had been afraid of Space Mountain, but decided to try it when we saw no line early one morning. He was proud and thrilled when it was over. So then we conquered Expedition Everest. As a token of his bravery, he bought and wore proudly a pin representing the ride.

And then we just kept riding the "mountain rides" over and over. Each time he would say, just before the ride started, "Listen, dad, I'm not even going to scream."

More later.

Temporarily Out of Service

The circumstances of my present work travel are such that I have not been able to update the blog. I won't really be able to add much until after August 8.

Like Having a Best Friend

Cousins. A few highlights from 2013 Redfish Lake family reunion.

Summer USA Trip So Far

Madeline can really throw. Here she is pointing out what happens when I underestimate her fastball.

Henry had a very Monsters University birthday party. Illustrated below. Special thanks to Gramma for the MU birthday cake.

The Idaho Falls Harts had weekend access to a cabin near Alpine, Wyoming and invited us to join. So we did. And once in the heart of beautiful nature we, of course, watched movies.

The kids had wanted to go to a "real life" baseball game. So I planned to take them to the Idaho Falls Chukars (cheaper then waiting until we're in Boston to go to the Red Sox). Maddie and Henry backed out last minute so I told them we would just stay home and have ice cream instead of going to the game. Caleb was crestfallen.

I adjusted quickly and Caleb and I headed out  to the game. Just the two of us. Five minutes into the game: "Dad, can I sit on your lap while we watch?"

Best baseball game I've ever watched. Loved every second of it.

Interestingly, Caleb now really wants an Idaho Falls Chukars tee shirt.

"Cause, you know, dad, Idaho Falls is kind of my home too, isn't it?"

Observations Upon Returning

Things I noticed on this return trip to the USA:

1. Traveling with kids aged 9, 7, and 5 is way better than traveling with kids aged 8, 6, and 4.
2. My streak of never sleeping on an airplane remains, but I discovered surprising comfort on the floor of the Denver airport.
3. Clean air is super awesome. Thank you, Idaho!
4. After a year in Cairo, overnight lows in the 40s might as well be Antarctica.
5. Toilets in the US have a lot of water in them. I always think they're about to flood.
6. We didn't want to pay to reinstate our Verizon accounts for just three weeks. Turns out, (after a few days of withdrawal) I can live without a cell phone.
7. Turns out I cannot live without my iPhone, even if the phone function is non functional.
8. After Pakistan, Egypt seemed pretty mundane. It is fun to observe how interested everyone is in our life in Egypt. Helps me think of it as an adventure again. Helps me feel more gratitude.
9. We have a lot of partisan bickering and scandals in the government, but the USA is still the best. I love her! I am grateful to be a US citizen.
10. Someone asked me if we (the US government) were handling things the right way in the Middle East. My honest response: "The more time I spend there, the more I realize that I just don't know."

School's Out Celebration

Henry and Bianca

Henry and Harper

Caleb and Dominic (moments after a fist fight with each other)

Caleb, Owen, and Greyden

Miles and Henry

Maddie's First Blog Post

I asked Maddie to share a story for the blog. She chose this previously written story of her fall swim meet:

Yippy, even though I lost a soccer game, I was so excited to go to the swim meet! I was sitting on the bleachers with my dad eating spaghetti. Jen came over and told me that Hillary was over on the other school’s bleachers. So I walked over there. Abby joined in. We played Ninja, Spy and a bunch of other games. And then announcement came over the loudspeaker, all children please go upstairs immediately.  So we went up the steps.  When a teacher called my name I walked up. And she wrote in black marker: # 27 back. Gabriela got: # 22 back. Hillary got: # 27 back. Abby got: # 27 back too! So me, Hillary and Abby have the same activity! Sorry for Gab, I thought. When it was my turn I hopped in the water. And got in my position. I was vibrating very quickly. Ready--------------RRRR! I pushed off the wall. And when I saw the first row of flags I started moving my arms. I touched the wall. Then everybody else touched the wall. I WON MY HEAT! I was so excited I won my heat!  There was a huge smile on my face. I could not stop smiling.

And ever since then I loved to race because I was confident.

SNL Ditka Skit Meets Dwight Shrute

"Dad, who would win, Phineas and Ferb or Spy Kids?"
--
"Dad, which is stronger, a pegasus or a hypogriph?"
--
"Dad, which would win, a werewolf or a vampire?"
--
"Dad, who is stronger, Toby McGwire Spiderman or Andrew Garfield Spiderman?"
"Wait, what? How do you know the actors' names? We haven't even watched those movies."
"Dad, just stay focused. Who would win?"

Undefeated

We finished the season with a double header this morning. We started at 8 a.m., by which time it was already 100 degrees. League officials keep reminding me that we only keep score to know when to switch innings (6 runs per inning limit). Nevertheless, I am pleased to announce that we won both games to finish the season undefeated.

In post-season team awards, Caleb received the "Toughness" award for playing the final double header with a severe ear infection. Maddie received the "Dedication" award for staying after practice to keep working on her throw.