Self-Inflicted Torture

Well, Spring Break started today. We try to get to Florida once a year to see my 91 year old grandfather, nicknamed Pa. Last year Heather and I flew and Kailey was still a 'lap child' so we only needed two tickets (Bill stayed home). The year before I was able to take the girls while I was still on maternity leave for Kailey. I was also able to go while on leave with Heather a few years before that.

This year, Bill's schedule worked out so that we could all go! Great news! But, when we looked into flights, needing 4 tickets (since Kailey is now two), it would cost us over $1500 to fly. Not to mention the hassle of car seats, security, confined space with a 2 year old and a 4 year old, nasty looks from other passengers...

So, we compared the cost of that with the 'convenience' of driving. We take our own car, don't have to worry about car seats, no TSA telling us we can't take water with us (or breaking our stroller, as they did last flight!), no issue explaining to passengers that the best way to deal with Kailey is just to let her scream. Gas round trip would be about $600. And, hey, it's only 15 hours, why not just drive?

Ok, at the time it really did seem to make complete sense. However, as I filled up the car today at $3.06/gallon from BJs, listened to Heather and Kailey yell on the 10 minute ride home, packed stuff into the car and sort of bemoaned the fact that Kailey is potty trained (diapers really would have been easier for this trip!), I'm really questioning the practicality of this voyage.

However, when you tell Heather and Kailey they are going to see Grand-Pa and Nana and Papa and they smile, yell, and jump up and down, it's kinda hard to believe it isn't just a little bit worthwhile :)