First Full Day in Beijing - Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

Today was FULL of walking!!  We walked for 3 hours straight and the kiddos are TIRED!  We started out having lunch.  We, of course, chose McDonald's. :)  It was delicious, especially the curly fries (yup, curly fries at McD's).  We wanted their awesome Pineapple pies, but our guide ordered apple.  I will get some pineapple pies later!  The kiddos were ecstatic, because they got Sprite!   Pop is a treat reserved for birthdays.  This trip is giving the kiddos lots of practice with their 6s multiplication and division.  The exchange rate is very close to this, so to figure out costs, they are constantly dividing by six and seeing who can come the closest the quickest. :)  Love those picture menus.

Then, we headed down Market Street.  Lots of shops and statues.  There was even a ball throwing game that Jayson fell in love with.  Some vendors invited him to play, he did very well!  

I also had a chance to stop at a Starbucks in order to add a Beijing mug to my collection!!  I have a China, Guangzhou, and Chongqing one.  Now, I'm just missing Nanjing.

Then, we headed to Tiananmen Square.  There is a lot more security and they have taken down the large screens.  Then, on to the Forbidden City, where building began in 1406 and the city was completed in 1420.  For hundreds of years, only the emperor, royal family, and high ranking officers were allowed inside.  The architecture and history is so amazing!  We got TONS of information! There is significance in the number of elements used in building and the color and placement of buildings.  Definitely won't remember it all, but the kiddos will remember being there.  We even had some pics taken of us. :)  When we posed, cameras snapped.  Mark and I saw some new parts that we didn't tour last time, so that was really neat.

This afternoon we rested and the kiddos  wrote in their journals.  We try to have them take time each day to write in their journals about their day and favorite memories, feelings, and experiences. In the evening, we went to Pizza Hut to eat.  Everyone was still pretty tired.  I successfully ordered two pepperoni pizzas which we enjoyed and lemonade (more like sugar water with a little lemon).  We woke up after eating!  

Then, we headed down to the supermarket.  The kiddos all enjoyed picking out a treat! :) 

On the way back to the hotel, we were amused by all of the locals selling stuff on blankets on the sidewalk.  We also were entertained by street musicians (singer, harmonica, some unknown instrument that had a cool Asian sound and looked homemade). We will have a more laid back day tomorrow exploring some parks.