Beijing Bound

We're packed and ready to go.  We have way to many bags, but we're packed and everyone is happy!  We dropped bags and all the info off for those staying on Monday night to make it easier to leave on Tuesday.  The house was pretty clean, garbage taken out, and dishes done.  

 We decided to start out our adventure with a trip to Panda Express.  Yep, Chinese food.  Since one of the school projects is to compare food, we figured it woud be a great place for lunch.  After, we dropped the oldest off to school and the youngest off to a cousins.  That was sad, but I know they'll be ok.

 Then, we were off!  This was the first plane ride these two can remember.  They were so excited, especially my Monkey Boy.  He couldn't hold himself back from grinning and bursting with excitement.  It was a long ride, but it went great.  However, we did get to our hotel really late, our rooms had been given away so we had to book new ones, and our ride didn't come, so we had to figure out a ride from the airport to our hotel.  Luckily it worked out great.

 We're staying at Sundworld Dynasty.  Lots of great and new things to try!  We enjoyed it.  We ran into another travel group who was going to a Kung Fun show, so we joined them after some fun shopping.  It was an  interesting show at the Red Theater.  I now have a much better understanding of the way Buddhism works.  Crazy athletic guys performing.  Crazy being the main word.

 The kids had brought some money and were excited to try out their bargaining skills.  Dad led the way and seems to enjoy it immensely.  It was fun to watch him. He is good at it.

While shopping, we started talking to this "American Couple,"  the Schoffs (I think that was their last name, I'm so bad at remembering names), that happened to be from Sandy, Utah..a 20 minute drive from our home.  They were there speaking at a dental conference.  Pretty amazing!  What a small world and what a great cause!

 We asked for a bigger bed for my 9 yr old.  This is what they brought.  He's a little big, but somehow he fits.  No, he didn't sleep there, we made a bed for him on the couch, but we did have a good laugh!

All in all, a good experience so far!  I am so grateful to be in China and share this experience with two of my wonderful children.  I love it here!  Next time, I'm going to study Chinese so that I can communicate with the people better.  Such good people!