You know your life isn't too bad when at the offer to head to Florence for a few days, the first thought is "Oh, but I really don't know if I want to go there AGAIN!" :) Please remind me of these days when I'm back in an office in the dead of winter this year, OK?

The other tutor and I are planning a 2.5 day trip to Florence from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday evening. I can't say my Italian family is thrilled about it, but this tutor leaves next Saturday so it's not like our options are overflowing. And after that, I have no idea if I'll be meeting up with anyone else outside of family and friends. Gotta strike while the iron's hot!! So that's the plan as of now....hoping to get that arranged today.

Irene and Luca are doing well. Irene loves Michael Jackson and to sing his songs as well as popular Italian songs. However, Irene doesn't exactly have an ear for music let's say. I give her all the credit in the world for trying but I sometimes wish I wasn't home when she gets the singing bug!! And her family isn't too big on telling her to lower the loud so to speak. (That was for you, Uncle Frank!) But that's what family's are for right - to support your passions even when you may not be the master at it. We just encourage you long enough for you to realize on your own you kind of suck at it! :)

Outside of that, it's been a quiet few days. Next Friday is Irene's 10th birthday so I'd like to get her a little something. And then Saturday is her party with friends at Play Planet (I take it there's a lot of playing involved there). She's very excited. The rule is no English on her birthday - I think that's pretty fair.