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.

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?

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!!

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.