We recently took a vacation to New Jersey to see my family. That meant flying up by myself with an about to turn 3 year old and 16 month old, while 5 months pregnant. 

I know that you're thinking, "why would you do that to yourself?" Answer: Because I'm bull-headed and I don't let anyone stop me when I've made up my mind. I can only assume this is a byproduct of being a Taurus. 

I've posted before about traveling with two under two you can read about that here At this point I have airport security basically down to a science. In fact, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law offered to help me through security and I said, "I would love the help, but don't get in my way because I have a system and you don't want to mess with my system." My mother-in-law looked at me in shock, but I was serious.  

So on the day of our travel I got my mother-in-law and brother-in-law to help me drag my two car seats and one large suitcase to the gate to check. That left me with limited items to haul through security, just a stroller, backpack, purse and two kids. (I might be a professional packer). The less you have to haul the better off you'll be. 

Now for those that have traveled, you are aware that liquids over 3 ounces are banned from passing through security. What you may not know is that baby bottles and sippy cups are exempt from this rule. You just have to have proof of the kids being present or the breast pump to go with your more than 3 ounces.

So there I was, fully loaded with my two sippy cups of juice. While you are allowed to bring them through security, you have to take them out of your bag. TSA doesn't like being surprised by full cups of liquid buried in your bag. So out came my sippy cups. My bag and purse went on the security belt with my shoes and I let the friendly TSA agents take my stroller. I'm lucky that my home airport of Raleigh-Durham has exceptionally friendly TSA agents. I let Gardner walk through the metal detector and commanded him to stop, which was a gamble. Then I proceeded through with Caitiejane in my arms.

Just a reminder, this is NOT A FAST PROCESS. In fact, sometimes I let people go around me because it is such a production. I'm organized and I'm focused, but sometimes efficiency is meticulous and slow. 

As I got through the metal detector I raced after Gardner and snatched his hand. I collected my items from the belt, while my stroller was being wiped down and I was waved over to additional screening. 

This is typical since the sippy cups need additional screening for being larger than 3 ounces. I'm used to this process, I've flown quite a bit with kids and breast milk. However, this time the alarms are going off and the lights are flashing. This is a new one. 

I quickly realize the cups have been flagged as containing potential explosive material. The next step is to open the cups, which I am required to do as the owner of the cups. So with Caitiejane in one arm and an eye on Gardner, I work to unscrew the very full cups. The air above the liquid is then tested.

Since the sippy cup is now in plain view of Caitiejane she insists on drinking it. I quickly put the lid back on and hand her the cup. Then I realize, "Oh, I'm sorry, were you done with my explosive sippy cup?" I joke. Then it hits me I've just said the word explosive in the presence of a TSA agent, who may or may not find my joke funny. "I'm just kidding!" I quickly say. 

Lucky for me, the TSA agent sees the humor in my comment. "I'm so sorry," I say, "I'm obviously such a terrible parent for giving my daughter explosive juice." There's that word again... shut up I think to myself. 

The TSA agent is dying laughing at this point, "I know," she says, "That's why I'm laughing. Unfortunately, I still have to go through the protocol, as ridiculous as that may seem. My supervisor will be by shortly to do a pat down."

"No problem," I say. A simple pat down? Whew! That's easy compared to being hauled off for further questioning about my mention of explosives in the airport screening area. 

We complete the screening process, get our stroller back, and make our way to the gate... explosive juice and all.

P.S. Neither kid exploded from the juice they consumed. :-) Just in case you were concerned.