'It's taking ages....'

It looks like Alex will take after his father, he completely and utterly loves airplanes. The excitement of travelling to Singapore was nearly too much for his four year old brain.

After a Morton's dinner and late night, we woke Alex at 5 am. The phrase 'never wake a sleeping baby' is usually absolute law in our house. However, this time we had no choice. I woke him gently, anticipating a complete meltdown. It never came, he sprang out of bed and amazingly did exactly as he was told. His excitement started, and snowballed from there.

All the way to Heathrow he stayed awake, thankfully Elliott slept. However, the 'it's taking ages..' started, over and over again, with the occasional 'we're going to miss the airplane'. We made great time to Heathrow, arriving early enough to have breakfast with Grandma and Grandad before sad farewells. Incredibly, our luggage was also within allowances, so I didn't have to give Grandma and Grandad some of my many pairs of shoes.

Airports are always exciting on the way out, particularly for Alex. He adored his Spider-Man trolley, pulling it with pride and loving the noises it made as it rolled over different types of flooring. Typically, his Spider-Man trolley was the only item to be taken aside and screened for drugs or explosives. A small case full of toy cars, airplanes, colouring books and a Leap-pad must look dodgy on airport scanners.

Once through security, all Alex wanted to do was look at airplanes through the windows. He wanted to know the names, where they had been and where they are going. More than anything, he wanted to find ours. Once we found ours, the 'it's taking ages' statement was briefly replaced by 'are we going on the top floor?' He must have said it a dozen times in a few minutes, despite repeating the simple answer 'yes Alex'.

As for the airplane, it took ages. Alex reminded us of this fact on a regular basis. There is not much else to say about that. As anticipated it was horrible. Neither child wanted to sleep, Alex too excited and Elliott completely unimpressed with the bassinet. Flying long haul used to be fun B.C. (before children), neither me or Irmeet managed to watch telly, however we did drink alcohol. Frustratingly Singapore Airlines serve a Singapore Sling cocktail. I didn't have one, only because drinks were served mid-breastfeed. Obviously in my mothering book, wine is ok whilst breastfeeding but a cocktail is pushing it (only because I fear disapproving glances from fellow passengers).

12 hours later we landed, Alex managed to sleep for about 2 hours. Typically falling asleep just before lights were turned on for breakfast service.

Turns out I made the right decision in booking an airport hotel. Literally we turned left after customs and there was our hotel. I could have kissed the man on reception when he said we could have an early check in at 9 am. Lovely hotel, not the Alex cares about the building. For him, the best bit is the wall of glass in our room overlooking the airport. He just stands there, looking at airplanes, Daddy by his side. Father and son bonding over a common obsession with aircraft.

It has 'taken ages' to get here, but we are only half way. Another 8 hour flight awaits us on Saturday morning. But first, Singapore.....

Kate.

                                      Alex and his amazing spider man ankle chopper case x