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!

David

Today, Mitch and the choir kids get to visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David. I don't know what else there is, but I'm sure it's old and fascinating. They get to take a walking tour of Florence today and then pack up to go to La Spezia tonight after their 4th concert at Chieza Evangelical. They are doing such wonderful things. I hope I'm as lucky someday. I also hope they are getting enough sleep, they sure are keeping busy.

More Travel

Today the kids will do a bit more traveling. They get to tour Livorno and then travel another 30 minutes to Pisa where they get to visit the leaning tower of Pisa. Can you believe it? Pisa!
After all their touring is done for the day, they get to go to an open music lesson at Guiseppe Bonamici Music School in Pisa. After dinner in Pisa, they will drive back to Florence.

I'm so glad that this isn't just a tour, but that the kids get to continue their music education while they are there as well. It will mean so much more to them as they are learning something hands on.

Mrs. Ramirez said that the kids send their love and that we would have been proud of how fantastic they performed last night.

I'm grateful for any information!!! :)

Mixed Feelings

You are now reading the blog of the Lakes Ward new choir director. I have mixed feelings about this but am somewhat excited for a new challenge. Maybe that is one of the reasons that I liked being Primary chorister so much. There is a new challenge every week. No two Sundays where alike.
I have learned from my past that I can be a little overly ambitious and I have these visions of me (being the ward choir director) leading a youth choir and even a volunteer primary choir as well as the regular adult choir. I am probably biting off more than I can chew and I already know that I am getting ahead of myself because we don't even have a pianist. It's pretty hard to have a choir without someone to play the piano. I have already picked some music, all with the same topic, that I can make a final decision on once I have heard them. At least I have two weeks to figure this out. Just another reason to miss Mitchell. He could at least roughly play all three songs for me so I can have a better idea with what I'm dealing with. Only once he gets back, he will be so busy trying to catch up that he won't have any free time for anything except making up homework.
I hope we have a good turn out once we start practices. (hint, hint)

Palm Sunday

The kids get to make their first hotel switch today so that means that Mitch will be down one item that he forgets in the room. (I hope its not the camera. He will really miss it.) Of course this is just a theory, I'm just going on what I know of Mitch. :) Today they get to tour Scavi di Ostia for five hours. It must be fascinating if they are giving it that much time. Just another thing he will get to tell me all about, hopefully with lots of pictures. Then they get to go to Hard Rock Cafe Rome for an early dinner before they sing at another mass in the evening. What a wonderful experience they are having. After mass, they get to do a 30 minute concert and then board a bus to take them four hours to Florence. They will reach their hotel at 1:00 a.m. Rome time.
Mrs. Ramirez posted a message on their choirs website that said that they are having a wonderful time. One of the students has had a medical condition and will be home soon, but that the rest of them are well and that no news is good news until the next update.

Vatican

Today, Saturday, March 25, 2010 Mitch and his choir after some much needed sleep, get to go to the Vatican and visit St. Peter's Square. He took the book Angels and Demons with him to read on the plane and I hope that he was able to get far enough that he can enjoy what he is seeing. I hope he takes tons of pictures! It will help me to visualize it better.
That night they get to perform at a mass. They have worked so hard learning new music for Italy. I am really proud of them. I am also glad that Mrs. Ramirez has them keeping a journal of their travels and tours. I plan on grilling him for information the second he gets home. I miss him.

And Their Off!

They are on their way across the Atlantic. I hope they can get some sleep for their full day of touring tomorrow. They start in Rome at the Colosseum and the Forum. I hope he takes enough pictures (enough for me, that is).

Touchdown #1

They made it to Newark and now have a layover before the long flight to Italy. I'm soooo excited for them!

My World Traveler

They are now over Iowa. This technology is so cool but I feel a little like a stalker. I wonder how many games of cards he's played?

I just checked on Mitchell's first leg of his trip to Italy. They are over Denver right now on their way to Newark, NJ. I am so excited for him, but also very nervous. Typical Mom emotions. Wish I could share this experience with him but then I would be nervous for the kids I left behind. Moms really can't win but to have faith.
We were joking last night how Mitch needed to save room in his suitcase for souvenirs and Kyle told him I wanted a pair of Italian shoes. Of course I do, but I wasn't sure I wanted my 14 year old to pick them out for me. Mitchell said we would have to give him more spending money. :) Wish I had been thinking "shoes" when I was at the currency exchange office!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Matthew who turned three this week. He is definitely my most challenging three year old out of the four, but I have learned more about myself from him and have learned more patience. Love him, love him, love him. Wish me luck this year potty training!

ITALY, Here He Comes!

Mitchell and his choir are leaving for Italy in 5 days! Performing in Vatican City, moving on to Verona, Rome, Venice and more. 12 long and wonderfully busy days singing and going to the opera, the Colosseum, museums. Man, I am soooooo jealous!

Thank you to those who bought See's Candy, every fundraiser helps.

Next we just need to work on the Eagle Project!