The big day is here!

For more than three weeks Kyle has been drawing "X"s through the days on the calendar. It's all been a part of the big countdown to the arrival of Ami and Papa (grandma and grandpa). Yesterday was one of the very few days Kyle did not ask for the calendar and I chose not to remind him - in hopes that if he did not remember what today would bring the night might bring more sleep. It worked! This morning there was no forgetting the calendar and Kyle was ecstatic to find that today was the day! He was so excited, yet so well behaved this morning. He got dressed on his own and even remembered that we needed to do a quick walk to the stores to get some fresh bread, fresh mozzarella and some flowers for Ami. Of course, he chose pink flowers for Ami. Then it was off to the airport. Kyle in his khaki shorts and button down shirt with his new sunhat, and Vika in her pretty little white dress that once was mine. Of course we were running late but I won't get into that story. We were on our way in our newly acquired rental car (a Fiat Multipla) (Brian's driving the Renault) and Brian calls. He is able to escape from work just long enough to greet everyone at the airport and will meet us there!
As we pull into the "Quick Park" (leave your keys in your car, costs 6 euros and right in front of the arrivals hall - cheaper than the 4 E per hour to park in the regular parking) a man decides to drop his buddy off and pulls right in front of the parking entrance and parks! *argh* A man from the parking comes over and offers to take the car in for me. He tells me to take the kids and go. I wasn't sure as I didn't have a ticket but I went with it. Grab the kids and run! lol We're inside with Brian, waiting and waiting when Brian says, "Did the guy you left the car with have a uniform on?" Hmmm, I think so.....or did I just give the car away? Oh oh. (Could hardly call it stolen.) Oh well, not worth worrying about it at this point.
Finally Ami arrives. No Papa. One bag seems to have not made the connection and Papa has to do the paperwork for lost baggage. Oh boy. Instant flashbacks to the turmoil and trouble we had to get out lost luggage back when we arrived in Feb. It took a full week and we're still fighting for compensation for the time and damage. At this point Brian is off looking for them as it had been so long. I send Linda to go back in the secure zone to tell Papa to be sure to say that we will pick up the luggage and not to have it delivered. Brian wants to be sure of this too - so he just marches right into the secure area. Was this so easy for Brian to do because he had our beautiful baby girl in his arms, or because he had his work badge around his neck, which happens to say Alenia Aeronautica on it, or is this really how lax security is? Anyway, I'm sure Lost and Found Baggage got the message.
Finally Papa emerges! Kyle is thrilled and to everyone's relief Vika seems to remember their faces and is not playing strange! There are lots of smiles for everyone. It is hot and the airport is crowded so we head out...and find our car has not been given away but is parked in the lot. (phew!)