So our flight was at 2:30pm. So we took a cab from out house to the airport at noon. We got through the check point. No small feat when trying to get shoes off and on of so many feet. Not to mention carry-ons, personal items, coats, and a car seat. But we made it. Then we went and had lunch. We made it back to the gate around 2pm. The plane was late. They made an announcement that our flight was exceeding its weight limit, and anyone who was willing to be bumped could get free tickets. So we volunteered. They couldn't get us out until the next day. So we got vouchers for a hotel, 3 meals x 4, and the roundtrip tickets. (I know we live in Memphis and are staying in a hotel in Memphis, but remember we took a cab, so we had no way home) By the time it was all squared away, Eli was asleep in his car seat at the gate, so we hung around for awhile. Then we made it over to a food court.
Kiah decided she wanted pizza. So I made my way toward the pizza. At the counter we found some problems. I guess it was a new voucher layout. So the lady at the gate put the number of people and the value in the wrong place. So they said they couldn't take the voucher and I would have to get it fixed. I asked where. (our gate was in terminal C and the food course was in terminal
There was no one at the gate anymore. So they told me I would have to go out to the main counter, to which I told her I could not do that because I didn't have a boarding pass anymore, so I wouldn't be able to get back past security again, so there would be no need for the voucher. The pizza place is next to Jim Neely BBQ. One of the Neely's came over and said they didn't take vouchers from US Airways. To which I scoffed. I think the lady took pity on me since I had Anna strapped to me, Kiah dancing around me, and Chris chasing Eli around behind me, not to mention the cart piled with junk we were hauling as well. She went to the "back" and talked to some magical person who gave her the go ahead stating "if he could not get the reimbursement he would pay for it himself." (thank you magical person in the back)So as we were making our way to the shuttle for the Hotel I stopped to pick-up some sundries. Kiah came with me. As I was looking at the meager, overpriced selection Kiah told me she needed to take off her pants. I turned around to find her standing in a yellow puddle! GREAT! So I got out the spare clothes I brought for her, just in case she peed her pants (I was hoping not to use them.) I changed her clothes.
We now headed towards baggage claim. Kiah got very upset at that point. She KNEW we were going the wrong direction. So, I lied. I told her our plane was sick and had to go to the Doctor. It would be better tomorrow. But we were going to a special slumber party at a hotel. She thought that was an OK thing.
We made it down to the courtesy phones so I could call the hotel to find out about the shuttle. All I knew was that the voucher said "Holiday Inn Select." There were two listed at the phone, Airport and Memphis East. So I called Airport, wouldn't you? But guess what, their power was out, so they connected me to Memphis East. And just as the connection was made Kiah wanted to see what the neat silver lever did, and she hung up the phone. Confused, since my back was turned to Kiah's mischief, I turned quickly, so quickly, I ripped my pants on the metal sign next to the phone. I did NOT bring a change of clothes for myself!
So we waited for the shuttles. I loaded Kiah, Anna, and myself onto the shuttle as Chris returned our cart with Eli. Then the driver started to pull away, to which I mentioned I would appreciate it if he waited for the rest of my family to board the shuttle. (Chris was only about 15 ft away for Heaven Sake's!)
I have to mention here that Donyale at the front desk of Holiday Inn Select Memphis East is wonderful. She was very helpful and super nice.
When we got to our room I was happy to see they had already brought a crib to our King Suite. So the kids slept on the pull out in the front room and Chris and I slept in the bedroom with Anna in the crib. I threw Kiah and Eli into the tub with the complimentary rubber ducky that came with the crib. And I had washed the "pee-pee" clothes and shoes and dried them with the hairdryer, at least part of the way. I then sewed my pants up with the handy sewing kit I got at the front desk.
We will see how tomorrow goes. I wish the Memphis airport had lockers. It would have been handy. Then we could have left a bunch of stuff at the terminal and not have to take it through security AGAIN. Oh well.
The kids have been amazing, really. And we just keep laughing at how funny it has really gotten.
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