Finland Trip Day 1

So, to get everyone caught up...my mom invited the kids and me on a trip to Finland.  My mom's grandmother was born in Finland, and we still have family in Finland (some of whom I've actually met), so my mom wanted to make the trip.  Not sure she originally wanted me to come along, she really just wanted her grandchildren to see Finland, but when she mentioned that she had to take Aden (the 3 year old) along as well, I told her there was no way she was taking all three kids without me.  I have to also add that I am not a world traveler at heart.  Going overseas to a country that speaks another language that I do not speak really does not appeal to me.  However, sending my children to a foreign country alone appeals less, so I decided we would go.  So here we are, embarking on what I hope will be a fun, educational, and enlightening journey for us.  (Here's keeping our fingers crossed!!)

Day 1...began by Tim driving the kids and me an hour to the Decatur airport.  We decided to fly from Decatur to O'hare because the tickets were only $39 each!!  So in Decatur we get on this tiny 8 passenger plane.  Aili and I even rode sitting backwards.  The kids did great, and besides some rain around Chicago, the flight was excellent.

So, now we land in Chicago, it's raining, and because we're in this teeny, tiny plane, we have to climb down the stairs and walk into the terminal.  Next, we head to baggage claim and pick up our luggage, then board the train to the international terminal, and finally find Grandma!  Now, we have booked a direct flight from Chicago to Helsinki, however, Finnair has decided that we don't need to sit together.  Well, tell that to whatever poor person ends up sitting next to an unaccompanied three year old!!  After being told that there is nothing they can do, and holding up the line for at least 30 minutes, they were able to put us together...3 in one row and 2 in another.  So Grandma and Alex sat together, and Aili, Aden and I sat in the other row.  We boarded early, and the in-seat-back movies were free, they fed us dinner...I really have no complaints.

End Day 1!

 The short hour long flight to Chicago was the only nap Aden had on Day 1.

 Alex had downloaded new games to his iPad in preparation for not having access to wi-fi.

Aili was good, and only used her phone in Airplane Mode!