The trip......
So we're just starting to recover a bit from our journey stateside. Making this trip with kids is something of a suicide mission, but we all survived so it's ok :-) In case you've ever been curious about what goes into a trip from China to America, I will give you a little run down of our schedule. If you aren't curious then you can stop reading :-)
0:00 Starting out for the airport with 4 suitcases, 2 carryons, 2 backpacks, a laptop, a purse, and 2 excited kids! Our friend drove us which made getting there a breeze, not taxis or buses involved.
1:00 Made it to the airport, checked in for the flight, passed through security, and have located our gate. Kids are still super excited and watching the planes take off while we eat cookies
2:00 Our flight appears to be delayed although when we ask, no one seems to have any information about why, how long the delay will be, or even which gate we are now supposed to wait at........
3:00 Flight has finally been rescheduled for one hour later which should give us plenty of time to make our connection. We relax and throw ping-pong balls around the airport with the kids
4:00 On our flight from Qingdao to Beijing. This is a one hour flight so short and easy. Robbie looks out the window and says, "Look mommy! I see the country of Africa"
5:00 We land in Beijing, hit up the restroom and go searching for baggage claim
6:00 We have located our luggage, taken the elevator up to check-in, waited in line for 30 minutes while our kids ran all over the airport check-in area and entertained a crowd, checked in for our long flight, and found a McDonalds :-) All is good with the world
7:00 We've worked our way through airport security, and boarded the subway to take us to our terminal. When we make it off the subway we find the grocery cart-kiddie car things and entertain the kids letting them "drive" to our gate.
8:00 Boarded the airplane and settled in for the long haul, delayed on the tarmack waiting for takeoff, kids are eating lollipops and waiting for the movies to begin.
9:00 We're one hour into the flight, The kids are watching Cars and trying to keep the annoying earbuds in their tiny little ears. This could be a struggle but for now they are happy and excited.
11:00 Trying to convince the kids to eat the blah looking airplane food. Wishing we were on Korean Air because they have chicken nuggets. Eating rice and broccoli on a turbulent plane is just not a great idea.
13:00 The kids are getting antsy and tired. Trying to keep them entertained playing matching games and coloring
15:00 Trying to situate everyone to go to sleep. Maddie won't sleep unless I hold her. Pretty sure she's nervous that she would wake up and we could be gone. Can't blame her and it gives Robbie room to stretch out across the 2 seats. Not a bad idea.
17:00 The kids have made it asleep for 2 hours, which is really good for them on the plane. My arms are going numb from holding Maddie but I am happy she is sleeping instead of crying.
19:00 Only 4 hours left to go. I am starting to feel majorly claustrophobic, but Maddie is still sleeping and I remind myself this won't last forever. Aside from a few fussy minutes, both kids have managed to stay mostly asleep and are doing great.
21:00 I now feel like a crazy person, but there are only 2 hours left so the end is in site. Robbie is waking up and attempting to watch another movie, but the ear things won't stay in so he is grumpy. I am grumpy too so I can't blame him :-)
Maddie is out cold and won't budge for anything. Robbie and I examine the offered breakfast and decide against everything but the fruit.
22:00 We are now making our decent and I am waking Maddie up, she is grumpy but glad to know we are landing and can get off the plane. Robbie is excited to be in America but wants to finish his video before he gets off the plane. Not happening.
23:00 We disembark the plane, head through customs, quarentine, baggage claim, and the declarations areas. It takes about an hour, but we are so glad to stretch our legs and use a regular potty.
24:00 We have located my parents and are in the car on the way to their house! It was a crazy trip, but we didn't loose any luggage or miss any connections and it was the best the kids have ever done. We are exhausted but thankful to be here!
0:00 Starting out for the airport with 4 suitcases, 2 carryons, 2 backpacks, a laptop, a purse, and 2 excited kids! Our friend drove us which made getting there a breeze, not taxis or buses involved.
1:00 Made it to the airport, checked in for the flight, passed through security, and have located our gate. Kids are still super excited and watching the planes take off while we eat cookies
2:00 Our flight appears to be delayed although when we ask, no one seems to have any information about why, how long the delay will be, or even which gate we are now supposed to wait at........
3:00 Flight has finally been rescheduled for one hour later which should give us plenty of time to make our connection. We relax and throw ping-pong balls around the airport with the kids
4:00 On our flight from Qingdao to Beijing. This is a one hour flight so short and easy. Robbie looks out the window and says, "Look mommy! I see the country of Africa"
5:00 We land in Beijing, hit up the restroom and go searching for baggage claim
6:00 We have located our luggage, taken the elevator up to check-in, waited in line for 30 minutes while our kids ran all over the airport check-in area and entertained a crowd, checked in for our long flight, and found a McDonalds :-) All is good with the world
7:00 We've worked our way through airport security, and boarded the subway to take us to our terminal. When we make it off the subway we find the grocery cart-kiddie car things and entertain the kids letting them "drive" to our gate.
8:00 Boarded the airplane and settled in for the long haul, delayed on the tarmack waiting for takeoff, kids are eating lollipops and waiting for the movies to begin.
9:00 We're one hour into the flight, The kids are watching Cars and trying to keep the annoying earbuds in their tiny little ears. This could be a struggle but for now they are happy and excited.
11:00 Trying to convince the kids to eat the blah looking airplane food. Wishing we were on Korean Air because they have chicken nuggets. Eating rice and broccoli on a turbulent plane is just not a great idea.
13:00 The kids are getting antsy and tired. Trying to keep them entertained playing matching games and coloring
15:00 Trying to situate everyone to go to sleep. Maddie won't sleep unless I hold her. Pretty sure she's nervous that she would wake up and we could be gone. Can't blame her and it gives Robbie room to stretch out across the 2 seats. Not a bad idea.
17:00 The kids have made it asleep for 2 hours, which is really good for them on the plane. My arms are going numb from holding Maddie but I am happy she is sleeping instead of crying.
19:00 Only 4 hours left to go. I am starting to feel majorly claustrophobic, but Maddie is still sleeping and I remind myself this won't last forever. Aside from a few fussy minutes, both kids have managed to stay mostly asleep and are doing great.
21:00 I now feel like a crazy person, but there are only 2 hours left so the end is in site. Robbie is waking up and attempting to watch another movie, but the ear things won't stay in so he is grumpy. I am grumpy too so I can't blame him :-)
Maddie is out cold and won't budge for anything. Robbie and I examine the offered breakfast and decide against everything but the fruit.
22:00 We are now making our decent and I am waking Maddie up, she is grumpy but glad to know we are landing and can get off the plane. Robbie is excited to be in America but wants to finish his video before he gets off the plane. Not happening.
23:00 We disembark the plane, head through customs, quarentine, baggage claim, and the declarations areas. It takes about an hour, but we are so glad to stretch our legs and use a regular potty.
24:00 We have located my parents and are in the car on the way to their house! It was a crazy trip, but we didn't loose any luggage or miss any connections and it was the best the kids have ever done. We are exhausted but thankful to be here!
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