A good friend pointed out that it has been a VERY long time since posting anything to my blog. Ooops! Since we are no longer waiting for Aric but living with Aric and the other kids, life has been busy!
This year in particular!
This summer has been filled with swim lessons & meets, library and movies. :) It's been great and it is going by way too fast.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Shamian Island
Chinese soldiers and one of Alex and some local people who let him play ball with them. :)
Shamian Island, Guangzhou China
Pictures of Alex pushing Aric in the stroller. That got lots of stares. LOL Aric LOVED riding in the stroller. Shamian Island was nice, the temps were in the 70's and it is a less crowded spot.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Home - as you have already guessed!
Sorry it has been so very long. I have stayed off of the computer and spent time with our family.
The trip home was mostly uneventful. The plane rides, all 3 of them were great. NO turbulence and the kids were awesome on all of these. The first leg from Guangzhou to Beijing was on a bigger plane than I expected and if I remember it was only a 2 1/2 hour flight. For this leg we flew China Southern and the stewardess and stewards all dress so professionally and are so nice. We were even fed a full meal and offered a blanket! For FREE!! Or well at least no additional costs.
Although the kids were great on the plane, they were a bit OUT OF CONTROL before getting on the plane. Aric cried for the whole 1+ we had to wait to board the plane. Nothing would soothe him, he wanted on that plane and as soon as we were walking on it, he stopped crying. We have no idea what he was thinking, but I do know that both boys were on the tired side.
After arriving in Beijing, another AHH KY couple and their family and our family found our way to where we needed to go. The trick for us was getting through security. Well the Security folk decided that sending Aric and Alex through first was a good idea - NOT!!! They were wild, and the boarding passes that I had to show to get us all thru set off the metal detector, so they were giving me the thorough treatment while I tried to keep my kids somewhat in sight. Aric decided that climbing on the other side of the scanner would be a good idea and how was I to stop him?
Beijing to Newark - Alex and I slept for the majority of the 13 hour trip. Aric slept more than Dave, poor Dave just couldn't seem to sleep. :( We flew Continental just for anyone that may be interested. Oh and IMPORTANT - even after you pass thru security in Beijing and purchase any liquids in the "secure" area - they make you get rid of your drinks. That ticked me off - I have no clue why here but that is what happened to us. No problems with Security in China though, maybe because it's an International Flight. The flight was good, we had the TV's in front of us although Alex's didn't work at first, no big deal he slept most of the flight. They feed you quite a bit, these "meals" were not as good as the one's going there but that could just be personal preference. They do give you pillows, no blankets that I remember. All in all though I would recommend the Direct flight over the connecting ones any day. Oh and did you know that your feet swell? After the flights both ways I was wearing Crocs and well just plan that if you are traveling soon.
Newark we were happy to be in the US!! Yeah!! We were moving thru immigration and the guy instead of just stamping us thru, since Aric is 4 he decided to send us downstairs. Who even knew there was a downstairs?? Well the immigration officer that we were handed off to tried to talk to the initial one and said they don't need to go downstairs, just stamp 'em thru, well he wasn't going to do that and just shrugged. I can't remember the guy that walked us down but basically he was a lifesaver, he discussed it with yet another immigration officer on the way down and they both concurred that it was a bad decision to send us downstairs, where upon listening to their conversation we could just be sitting for 4 hours!!! WHAT???!! Well our lifesaver takes us in this room where there are already 50 or so people waiting, we don't even sit down before we have our file back and we are on our way. THANK YOU!!!! Truly a lifesaver.
Back upstairs and on our way, as a side note, I believe since we had to catch connecting flights that we somehow went the "wrong" way. We got to where we needed to go but we took the train and had to go thru security again. On the way there we were bussed. I don't know if it is an option and going thru Security isn't that big of a deal just if you can avoid it, do so. :)
While we were waiting for our next flight we decided to EAT - American food. :) Alex and I split Burger King and the funniest thing happened. After worrying about getting sick from food in China, the 1/2 of a small burger doesn't sit well with me.
Aric had Subway with Dave, mostly Chips and a banana. He was still at the No I'm not going to try that stage - which he still does from time to time- but mostly he will eventually try something new. He tried French Fries with ketchup and he likes those.
On the last leg of the tiny plane, which we were delayed for about 45 minutes, we had a great Steward he was funny and entertaining and nice. And most of all we had a great, no turbulence flight!!
We landed in Nashville and it was COLD!! Picked up the car, and home we go.
We arrived home at about 1:00 am. All the kids were up and my Mom and Carroll were too. They had decorated with balloons and a banner. That was fun. Aric took to them immediately.
The trip home was mostly uneventful. The plane rides, all 3 of them were great. NO turbulence and the kids were awesome on all of these. The first leg from Guangzhou to Beijing was on a bigger plane than I expected and if I remember it was only a 2 1/2 hour flight. For this leg we flew China Southern and the stewardess and stewards all dress so professionally and are so nice. We were even fed a full meal and offered a blanket! For FREE!! Or well at least no additional costs.
Although the kids were great on the plane, they were a bit OUT OF CONTROL before getting on the plane. Aric cried for the whole 1+ we had to wait to board the plane. Nothing would soothe him, he wanted on that plane and as soon as we were walking on it, he stopped crying. We have no idea what he was thinking, but I do know that both boys were on the tired side.
After arriving in Beijing, another AHH KY couple and their family and our family found our way to where we needed to go. The trick for us was getting through security. Well the Security folk decided that sending Aric and Alex through first was a good idea - NOT!!! They were wild, and the boarding passes that I had to show to get us all thru set off the metal detector, so they were giving me the thorough treatment while I tried to keep my kids somewhat in sight. Aric decided that climbing on the other side of the scanner would be a good idea and how was I to stop him?
Beijing to Newark - Alex and I slept for the majority of the 13 hour trip. Aric slept more than Dave, poor Dave just couldn't seem to sleep. :( We flew Continental just for anyone that may be interested. Oh and IMPORTANT - even after you pass thru security in Beijing and purchase any liquids in the "secure" area - they make you get rid of your drinks. That ticked me off - I have no clue why here but that is what happened to us. No problems with Security in China though, maybe because it's an International Flight. The flight was good, we had the TV's in front of us although Alex's didn't work at first, no big deal he slept most of the flight. They feed you quite a bit, these "meals" were not as good as the one's going there but that could just be personal preference. They do give you pillows, no blankets that I remember. All in all though I would recommend the Direct flight over the connecting ones any day. Oh and did you know that your feet swell? After the flights both ways I was wearing Crocs and well just plan that if you are traveling soon.
Newark we were happy to be in the US!! Yeah!! We were moving thru immigration and the guy instead of just stamping us thru, since Aric is 4 he decided to send us downstairs. Who even knew there was a downstairs?? Well the immigration officer that we were handed off to tried to talk to the initial one and said they don't need to go downstairs, just stamp 'em thru, well he wasn't going to do that and just shrugged. I can't remember the guy that walked us down but basically he was a lifesaver, he discussed it with yet another immigration officer on the way down and they both concurred that it was a bad decision to send us downstairs, where upon listening to their conversation we could just be sitting for 4 hours!!! WHAT???!! Well our lifesaver takes us in this room where there are already 50 or so people waiting, we don't even sit down before we have our file back and we are on our way. THANK YOU!!!! Truly a lifesaver.
Back upstairs and on our way, as a side note, I believe since we had to catch connecting flights that we somehow went the "wrong" way. We got to where we needed to go but we took the train and had to go thru security again. On the way there we were bussed. I don't know if it is an option and going thru Security isn't that big of a deal just if you can avoid it, do so. :)
While we were waiting for our next flight we decided to EAT - American food. :) Alex and I split Burger King and the funniest thing happened. After worrying about getting sick from food in China, the 1/2 of a small burger doesn't sit well with me.
Aric had Subway with Dave, mostly Chips and a banana. He was still at the No I'm not going to try that stage - which he still does from time to time- but mostly he will eventually try something new. He tried French Fries with ketchup and he likes those.
On the last leg of the tiny plane, which we were delayed for about 45 minutes, we had a great Steward he was funny and entertaining and nice. And most of all we had a great, no turbulence flight!!
We landed in Nashville and it was COLD!! Picked up the car, and home we go.
We arrived home at about 1:00 am. All the kids were up and my Mom and Carroll were too. They had decorated with balloons and a banner. That was fun. Aric took to them immediately.
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