SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Courtney was part of the Las Vegas Special Olympics this year through her middle school. She threw the shot put and javelin and did a pretty good job. We were so proud of her! There were kids from all across the valley, middle schools and high schools, and everyone seemed so happy to be there. It was such a wonderful day for the kids to feel like they accomplished something special and feel a part of something big. And it was. I cried most of the day as I watched the kids faces of pure joy as they were competitive with their piers and having the time of their lives. I hope she does it again next year!

Choir

Choir practice was successful this afternoon. At least no one got up and left. I take that as a positive. Next Sunday we are going to sing He Is Risen from the Hymn book (we are doing our Easter themed Sunday so the primary gets to sing their Easter song too). I figured singing a hymn was safe with one week's notice. Our other song is Be Thou Humble, not from the hymn book. It is a little difficult. We have a good group of men but very few women. Only two altos. I hope we have a better turn out next week on the women's end but I am very grateful for all those that came today. I hope I don't drive them all away with my boringness and inexperience.

Glad to be Home

Mitchell seems glad to be home and able to have slept in his own bed last night. When we walked in the door from the airport last night I thought that Mitch would join us on the couch for a few minutes before telling us that he was tired and wanted to go bed. Instead, he went upstairs to go to the bathroom and we never saw him again. It was before 8:00. I found his camera on the counter in the bathroom and downloaded all his pictures by 8:30. It looks like they had a marvelous time. I can't wait until I get the chance to hear the stories explaining the pictures. *note the date on the pictures is seven years off. Mitch said he tried to change the date and couldn't. Funny!

Katie told me this morning that I owed Mitch an apology because he didn't loose his camera the first day like I thought. But what I said was that he would leave something in the hotel room when they changed cities the first time, I just hoped it wouldn't be the camera. And I was right. He left his shampoo. Do I know my kid or what!

We are glad to have him back although now he will be a slave to homework and make-up work. We probably won't get to see him much. We are behind about 5 episodes of 24 because we have been waiting for Mitchell. Maybe this weekend we can get in a few episodes!

On His Way Home

Mitch and the other kids from the Palo Verde HS Choir are on their way home now. Yeah! Their flight right now is over Maine and they should be landing in Newark in the next hour and a half. I have been missing Mitch the last couple of days but I'm hoping that after being so independent the last two weeks that he won't mind being fussed over the next few days. He is going to be really busy trying to catch up on all his missed work (as of now he has missed 3 days of school) and I hope he doesn't give me attitude about reminding him what his duties are at home because of his resent independent streak. Time will tell, but for the record, I missed him. His sense of humor, his helpfulness and him just being there to talk to over the Easter break.

I can't wait to see his pictures and hear his stories. (I wish he wouldn't mind if I read his Italy journal.) I hope, actually, that his camera makes it back with him. I wonder what won't?

Exploring Venice

Yesterday and today the kids get to take a guided water tour of Venice and the area around it. They get to watch a glass blowing demonstration at the Ferro and Lazzarani Glass Factory on the island of Murano and then continue the Waterbus tour of Burano where they get to see the brightly colored houses and the lace that has been produced there for centuries.
Last night was their fifth concert and they got to visit Ducal Palace.
I hope their journals are full of thoughts and experiences that when they look back at it they will see what a unique and special experience they have had. Thank you Mrs. Ramirez!!

Verona and Venice

The kids get to continue moving today by driving four hours to Verona. They get to have a walking tour including a visit to the Arena. Then they board a coach and drive 2 more hours to Venice. My guess is that tomorrow they get to ride in a gondola. I don't think that riding a gondola at the Venician would be quite the same. I can't wait to hear all about it.

A Boat and the Green Eyed Monster

Each day as I look to see what Mitch will be doing, I realize that I am seeing the itinerary for the first time. Every day I read what totally awesome things he is getting to do and the green eyed monster is taking me over. I am so jealous that he is getting to do these things. Its not that I wouldn't want him to do it, but that I want to do those things too. Sooooo bad!!!!!

I just looked and tomorrow they get to take an excursion which includes stops to Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere in the Cirque Terre region. So they get to sail around an island off the west coast of Italy.

You see? Jealous!!!!!!!

Am I the only one that's jealous here? Come on, fess up!