Tenth Day in Guangzhou - Pearl River Cruise

We had a day to ourselves, with nothing planned until evening.  So, we headed to Aeon right after breakfast.  We found some awesome toys to bring home that will remind us of China.  By the time we finished shopping and came back to the apartment, it was time to head to TrustMart.  We did a LOT of shopping there!!  We bought a food for lunches, a few last souvenirs, treats for tonight, snacks for the plane and a suitcase to bring all of this junk home! :)  The Locals got a big kick out of us trying to fit all of our groceries on the tiny little counter (no conveyor belt to unload here) and then packing it all in the suitcase to transport back to the apartment.  We hit KFC for the last time on the way back for lunch.  First time they didn't question 6 boxes of popcorn chicken (I used the Chinese one handed symbol system).  We entertained there as we waited 10 minutes.  The stares we get!

After finishing off lunch, we still had 2.5 hours until the cruise.  So, we headed to the swimming pool again.  The kiddos LOVE it!!  There was a grandma there, she only spoke Chinese, she kept giving me the thumbs up.  She joined me at the Kiddie Pool and sat with Greyson, while I played with Kaitlyn, Kristyn, and Jayson.  She pointed to her necklace (Jesus on it) and to the sky (Heaven), as if to ask if I was a believer.  I said yes!  And did my best to use hand gestures to explain that Mark is a pastor.  She was so happy and just loved the kiddos!! :)

There's our boat!

A thunderstorm rolled in this afternoon and we had to make a decision about the cruise.  We decided to gamble and go for it!  I am glad we did.  It was raining too hard to spend time on the top deck, but the rain also kept the crowds away.  The boat was only about 20% full at most!  It was GREAT!  We had the kiddos eat ahead of time, but there was so much food, we let them try stuff.  They enjoyed it!  Even Brayden tried some stuff.  Mark got slightly nervous after seeing the chicken head on the buffet.  The kids loved all of the lights, and with the light crowd, they could go up front and sit and look out the windows.  The kiddos loved the clown too.  It was such a neat experience, I am so glad they got to go!!

The Girls' Table

The Boys' Table

Mark and I rarely get a pic together.  This one was compliments of Brayden.

There's that chicken head...

Brotherly love!

"Trailah"  Jayson is trying to get Greyson to smile

It worked, but then Jayson wasn't ready

She is always entertaining!

Jayson was the first to balance the ball... He was clapping the loudest for her! :)

Greyson was next.

Then Kaitlyn

Then Meilynn

Brayden had a turn

Can't forget Kristyn!

Mark braved the rain to get some pics from up top

No, we don't have that many moons... the water drops collected on the lens

Tomorrow we go to the Consulate!!  We made it!  Our last appointment!!  After that we will come back and change.  Then, we will have a traditional Chinese lunch and go to the zoo! :)  Wednesday will be a packing day and then... HOME!!!  :)