11 AM, FRIDAY...

11 am Friday:


Addison: Look Daddy, look... It's Cloud Kingdom! 


SCRATCH, SCRATCH...
HUH? (as he looks out of the airplane window)


TAP...TAP...TAP.


Jim: What?


Addison: (pointing out of the window with a lean) See the clouds??


Jim: (with a far lean inward toward Addi) Uh huh.


Addison: It's called Cloud Kingdom. It's like James and the Giant Peach. (she looks toward Jim than at me seated across the aisle)


I thoroughly enjoy a good read and am overjoyed to hear this endearing remark. My heart was a ball of mush until reality kicked in...literally.


Addison: Do you know... STOP KICKING MY SEAT!!  Do you know that book? STOP KICKING MY SEAT!


Me: Yes. 


Jim: (laughs and listens)


Addison: It's just like this place in James and the...  
STOP KICKING MY SEAT!! (she continues)
Did you know that my friends and I read that book?


Me: Yes, in school right?


Addison: Yeah...There were these people and creatures with big eyes and...
STOP> KICKING> MY SEAT!!


I turn and look through the crack between the seats and spy Miss Grace. I shoot her a "Mama look" and return to Addi's interrupted story.


Grace: I'm not kicking any seats. (very innocently)


Me: Okay.


Addison: It's just like... It's like the part... OH NO! Now I forgot thanks to my stupid sister. 


I ignore the "stupid" name calling. The kid has been annoyed enough.


I hear girlie giggles from behind us. The flight continues. The kicking has stopped and Cloud Mountain has now been spotted outside Chloe's window. 


Chloe: Wow! look at that!


Grace: Whoa! They are sooo close! 


Addison: It's a cloud mountain now! 
STOP KICKING MY SEAT!! Gracie!! StOPP!!


Dad steps in from his row.


Jim: Hey. Do you want me to separate you two? (pointing at grace and Chloe)


I laugh. --Like we have that ability on a plane?!
Jim swings back around and looks my way, slyly covering his smile.


Chloe: I want you to know, I didn't kick any seats.


Grace and Chloe quiet down. Addi gives a gruff "HMMMPFF."


The flight attendant chimes in. "Due to mild turbulance the Captain has asked that you please return your seats to an upright position...etcetera...etcetera...


...as my seat is kicked.


Florida here we come. This is bound to be interesting!