Onna jetplane

Daddy's Plane sent by Daddy before he left

Daddy go to Chil-lee on two jetplane, Finn says this morning when he sees Nick's bags. We have no idea when plane turned into jetplane, but it's cute and a certain song pops in my head every time he says it.

Daddy go to Chil-lee to get me a present, a big prize, he whispers to me, conspiratorially. Like a DIGGAH, he exclaims loudly to Nick.

Does Poppie get a prize too, I ask.

Yes, Poppie gets a little prize because she is litte. I get a big one. Which is reasonable and fair, two traits Finn is currently mastering during his good moments.

Daddy, I go too-ah?

When you're bigger, darling. You can come with Daddy when you're big. But on this trip, you have to stay with mummy and take care of her and Poppie, Nick the ever-practical and loving father says.

Oh. Mommy no go jetplane. We stay here. Daddy go to Chil-lee. 'Dis him go. 'Dis Daddy go.

***

Finn wasn't going to miss the chance to go to the airport, no way. He put his shoes and jacket on without a fuss and waited patiently with a hand on my knee while we sat on the deck waiting for Nick to finish packing and loading his equipment.


He pointed out all the planes on the way there and talked about how high they fly. He was brave when Daddy left and send him off with one of his best kisses a very loving hug.
 
***
 
We were telling Grandma a story the other night about the last time we traveled on an airplane with Finn. It was on our way home from Kauai and it was a packed plane. The plane was taxiing on its way to take off and it was that hushed moment after the safety message had been delivered, when everyone is preparing for take off.
 
Ever gregarious Finn starts a running dialogue about what was happening, starting with the plane going faster and faster and faster and then up up up up up high high high and then, and then down, down, down, crash!, crash!, crash!, ohhh-nooo! into the water.
 
People got nervous. Heck, we got nervous. Nick looks over Finn's head and  mouths should we be worried? And the people beside us folded their hands nervously into their laps. Kids know things. Especially articulate ones barely over two.
 
Finn, is the plane going to crash? Nick asks.
 
Noooo, Daddy, sill-lee. Plane go up, up, up high inna clouds.
 
And that was that. The neighbors unfolded their hands and grabbed their magazines and Finn turned from a little psychic into that two year old you don't want to sit next to on the plane.
 
***
 
We are all going to miss Nick this trip. He promises to send little snippets and images of his trip for Finn, and I will post them here.