Angelinas MAW Day 1 (Part 1)



We left on Friday night last week. We were taking the red eye direct from Seattle to Orlando. I was really thankful that Make A Wish booked the most favorable flights for us traveling with so many small children. We knew that we were meeting someone from MAW and a representative from TSA. We were traveling with two suitcases of carry on medical supplies so we were so thankful that we had someone from TSA to help us through security. What we didn't know was that we also had a Seattle police officer meet us and the Alaska Airline representative. Wow. We felt so special and everyone paid oodles of attention to Angelina and she already felt like a princess and was squealing "this is the best day ever!" And "I am going to have a BLAST this week!"

They printed out our boarding passes and then everyone walked us through the security line. They helped carry kids, fold strollers, open luggage etc. we were in our own very special line. They escorting us to the Alaska Airlines board room area. We had our own private room to wait in and upstairs was drinks, snacks, salads and COOKIES. You know that the kids cleaned out all of the big cookies that they had and watched TV in the private waiting room. About an hour later the rep from Alaska Air came and escorted us to the gate.



Angelina was given a special back pack full of princess goodies. It was shaped like the Alaska Airlines plane. She was thrilled to say the least. Then they announced her name over the loud speaker and welcomed Princess Angelina and her family aboard the aircraft FIRST. We went down the ramp and into the plane...

and we were welcomed into the cockpit to check it out. Jude has never been on the plane since he was a tiny baby and this is all he talked about- getting to meet the pilot and see where he flew the plane. You can tell from his smile below that he was very happy.

They were incredibly patient as all NINE children took turns climbing in and out of the seats. They helped get us all situated and then boarded the rest of the aircraft.

As we were taking off Jude completely FREAKED OUT. He was screaming "let me off this plane!" and "I want to get out!" and "I am SCARED!" for about half an hour. It was late at night, he was scared and tired and wow... we made quite the spectacle. Everyone was so nice. They brought Digital players around for all the kids (for free) and a special snack for Angelina. The flight time was record fast (just around 4.5 hours) and next thing we knew it- it was SUNNY and we were landed in Florida! (Mind you even though it was 6am Florida time- it felt like 3am our time.)
Angelina had a special moment with the pilot and he gave her a pin for her lanyard of the "WISH plane" that Alaska Airlines has. It was something she talked about throughout the week. Her most prized pin that she would never trade to anyone.

Before we knew it- we saw the sign welcoming Angelina to Give Kids the World. Our greeter was there at the airport to meet us and help us get to our rental van. Day 1 was just beginning!