Secure

We have now been home for five days. I think we're far enough away from the stress of traveling with two children and full camera gear that I can talk about it. Here's a glimpse of our adventure through security:

Step 1: Clothing removal
Mom wrangles shoes off brother, sister, self. Places them, along with belt, into government issue gray tub. Dad places own shoes, belt, wallet, cell phone and unnecessarily large "hole in one" ring in additional government issue gray tub.

Step 2: Personal effects
Mom places sister's backpack, brother's backpack, diaper bag on conveyor belt. Attempts to collapse stroller while balancing brother on hip, corralling sister and keeping now beltless pants up.

Step 3: Business effects
Dad hoists 40 lb. camera bag onto conveyor belt, places three laptop computers into separate government issue gray tubs, adds computer bag to the mix and watches anxiously as $30,000 of equipment (not to mention our livelihood) is x-rayed and transported to the opposite side of the security gate.

Step 4: Through the metal detectors
Mom carries two children through metal detector, keeping boarding passes visible for security guard ?/?to see. Dad cranes neck in effort to keep eyes on equipment while trying not to appear like a terrorist threat.

Step 5: Redress
Mom gathers shoes, backpacks for little people without dropping brother or her pants that are now in desperate need of a belt. Dad repacks equipment and computers, dresses and breathes deeply to encourage blood pressure to return to normal range.

If you've lost count, that's five carry-on bags and five gray tubs and one umbrella stroller.

The flight wasn't close to as stressful as security. The anxiety of what might happen was worse than the actual trip. We kept you busy with snacks, toys and activities. And we hit the holy grail of parental compliments when the man sitting behind us said, "your children are great travelers."