Day FOUR: Rome, Italy

Our plan for our first day in Rome was to go to Vatican City and see St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica (we were excited to see the world's largest church in the world's smallest country), but I didn't research enough about the Vatican City, because we arrived on a Sunday morning and that's when the Pope gives his blessing.  It was a neat experience to say that we've been blessed by the Pope, but it meant that the Basilica was closed.  We didn't even attempt the Sistine Chapel or the museums with the kids especially since we only had two days in Rome. 

Pope Francis, the 266th Pope, giving his blessing from his apartment window. 

Filling up our water bottles in Vatican City!

It was sooooo crowded and the crowds just continued for the rest of the day everywhere we went!

Kailee was counting the number of gelatos they've had so far in Italy.

We left Vatican City and got back on the metro to begin Rick Steve's Heart of Rome walk.  We modified the walking route to the big things we wanted to see and started at the Spanish Steps

We left the Spanish Steps and wandered aimlessly toward the Trevi Fountain which we somehow managed to find without getting lost!  And Luke napped in the backpack...such a trooper!!!

Trevi Fountain:  tradition has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome in the future, but you have to face away from the fountain and toss the coin over your opposite shoulder.  It was fun for the girls and I let them empty my Euro coin purse of all my small change.  The money in the fountain is collected daily and used to feed the poor in Rome.  I read that on average 3,000 euro is collected daily; that's over $4,000!!!!!

Tossing their coins in!

We packed shorts for the girls to switch into mid-day when it warmed up.  The weather was probably our biggest battle with their temperaments...too cold=whiny; too hot=whiny  :)

We continued the route past Parliament and toward the Pantheon...we ran into a family from the girls' gymnastics class here...small world!!!!

The drinking fountains in Rome definitely perked us all up in the heat.  The girls soaked their heads and necks and it really refreshed their attitudes about so much walking.  I can't imagine how hot and muggy it gets in the summer!  The fountain that Kailee is drinking from is neat because it typically runs down constantly (like in the bottom left photo below), but if you plug the bottom with your hand, it becomes a drinking fountain.

The Pantheon was built in 126AD

Inside the Pantheon

These Indian levitating guys were everywhere...the trick is the pole is attached to a seat (under his robe) and a fake hand with a metal support.  Regardless, it's cool and so hard to sit there completely still for hours on end!

By far, Luke's favorite part of Italy...chasing pigeons!!!

Once we were back at the house and made dinner, Hailey and I wandered the neighborhood and she got another gelato(there was some deal involved with a 2nd ice cream of the day.  I think Kai must have gotten a souvenir from vendor for a euro and Hailey opted for ice cream after dinner) She LOVED the little baby cones that they put on the top!

Day two in Rome...to be continued!