5.Versluys'.us

If you haven’t ever chased down a mob of roos in a 14 passenger van across dusty farm hills, you haven’t lived. Or you just haven’t been to Australia. So if you haven’t, don’t worry. You’ll get there someday.

My kids have all been to foreign lands. Cool, right? Except they won’t remember when they’re grown. Two were in utero, one was 11 months. Totally lame, while still cool.

The only reason I’m writing this on Sunday, instead of waiting for full jet lag recovery/clean clothes/replaced travel items/straightened house/restocked fridge, is because the smallest V has a clear cut case of sibling rivalry. Carrot is my third child and my third child to bring with him/her the hormones that cause mama insomnia. Normally I’d blame being up at 3 a.m. on jet lag, but since I’ve gone to bed at a reasonable hours two nights in a row, and I’m still really tired… it’s insomnia.

Our trip out to Sydney kicked off with dinner at In-n-Out with Oma and Aunt Nettie, before being dropped off at the LAX USO to wait out the remaining hours to takeoff.

While there, Quincy discovered guns. Her military/cop family pedigree aside, unless that girl outgrows her loopy behavior, she is not going to be allowed near real weapons.

As everyone kept remarking on the entire journey, Quincy is a fantastic traveler. We’re talking about complete ease with any strange places, minimal fussing if any, a cheerful demeanor, and the best part… quick adaptation to new hours – she was in bed at 8:00 p.m. local time by the second night in Sydney, and the second night home. This was the face that greeted the entire group every morning and after every nap:

Overall, it was a wonderful experience taking Q to Australia, and now that the final plane ride is successfully complete (my biggest concern from day one), I can say that I am very happy she came along. I just wish Roma could have made the trip, too! She would have loved the roos.