What I have learned from traveling with kids

The main thing I learned is that you must PACK LIGHT!!!! We took with us 9 checked bags, and two carry on items each. This may not have been bad if the 4 passengers were able to carry their own stuff... But seeing as one person had to carry 6 carry-ons, and push the kids, and one person had to manage the 9 bags, it was complete and utter torture. It woud also have been better if we didn't have to wait for our bags and take them to the hotel at 1 am. That was, by far, the worst part of the trip. My mom and I just stood there with our bags and looked at each other.. Like, um what do we do about this?? Also, it was so late that all the guys who are usually around to help were gone. Thank goodness we were able to have the concierge from the hotel take our bags for us in the morning. That was the turning point in the trip, getting checked in at Miami they took all our bags, no issues, no confusion, we got through security easily, and got to our gate with only about 20 minutes to spare, so we didn't have to wait around forever. Then we got to our seats. OMG. International Business has spoiled me beyond belief. My kids too for that matter! Charlie got to play on the floor!

Emma got to sleep and watch the Lorax on the tablet they loaned her :)

I got mimosas and was able to recline to a completely laying position (even though it was only for long enough to test it out :) My mom got to kind of relax for a little while. Wow am I jealous of her trip home! No kids, no distractions, just relaxation.. It will definitely be nice for her.. My trip home on the other hand. Gulp... It will be just me and the kids. And no more than 30% of the stuff as I am packing very very light for the trip home. I am limiting us to 1 carry on (if possible) and hopefully 2 checked bags, but I guess we will see how that goes. I think that the majority of clothes I brought are summer clothes, and hopefully by the end of September it will be cool enough that we can leave them all here. And our layover in Miami is 3 hours longer than the way here, which will HOPEFULLY end up being 6 hours longer assuming that our flight from Bogota is on time. That will be very nice for sure! We will have time to rest, get