The first Allio 5 vacation

I'm sitting alone in our Beijing apartment having just returned from a two week US vacation.  It feels large and empty and they dryer takes a long time. Yang and the kids remain in Fremont for a few more days.

We headed out on our vacation with some trepidation. We are not used to watching the three kids by ourselves and it must be said that the main worry in this regard was me. In our 3.5 years in Beijing, I've cooked three times, done laundry 4-5 times, changed at most a half dozen diapers, given the kids a dozen baths, and washed dishes maybe once. It is a hard life, I know. Another worry we had was that one of the kids might get sick as they have on past trips.

But a strange thing happened during the trip. Our family found its rhythm and its strength. Aidan and Lydia sitting and chatting in the back of the minivan while we drove from town to town. Me watching the kids at chucky cheese so Yang could do a little shopping at Marshals. Elisa gently (truly) waking Yang up in the night for her feeding. Yang taking care of everyone all at once.

It is true, we were priceline nomads. Three nights at the Marriott San Mateo, one night at Ernie's in Roseville, one night at Hyatt Place in Rancho Cordova, four nights at Holiday Inn in San Jose, four nights at the Courtyard in Foster City. Sure, we could have stayed with family and when I check my bank account I might very well regret all the hotel bills, but it brought the Allio 5 closer together. Even if Lydia told Yang that we are poor in the US since we are homeless.

It is also true that we had some less than ideal moments, most having to do with me getting lost or taking the wrong exit. Bathrooms had occasional traffic jams. Lydia had a couple of fussy mornings and afternoons. Elisa went a couple of days without pooping.

We visited most of the friends and family we wanted to visit. Yang became a US citizen. Donnie got married. We got closer together.

And with any luck my clothes will be dry when I pick up the other four at the Airport in a few days.