Ciao!! Greetings from the one spot in Urbania with wireless internet that actually works with efficiency.  An added bonus is that there is plenty of cafe freddo and panini at the Kikki Rikki, wine bar and cafe.   So as Maddie reported, we will be staying in Urbania an extra week.  We loosely planned next week for Florence, thinking Matt would join us on Saturday (the 30th).  But he has to attend a leadership meeting for work so won't be here until the 4th.   We weighed options...Lug our bags to the big city without additional man power to stay at our hotel by the airport with a 20-minute commute to Florence, or stay in our cozy little Urbania and continue to experience and learn about Italian culture with new friends?  Not really a choice.   Maddie will keep dancing, Delaney will keep painting, and I will keep attempting to not butcher the language (my teacher, Corinna keeps encouraging me with, "bene, bene" so I think I must be a stellar student.  Surely she doesn't say that to all the girls).  Life became infinitely better yesterday when we were presented with new wheels:

Thanks to Luigi the Landlord, we now have two bikes for transport.  Amen.  Any soreness I am experiencing in the seat region is a small price to pay for the convenience.  Grazie, Luigi.    Please pray for Madeline to stay upright on her bike.  She scares me a little.  

So, on we go.  We've settled into a routine and have even cooked a few meals in our tiny kitchen.  We've managed not to offend anyone with our savage American ways, and even made a few amicizia (friends).  Bruno, owner of our favorite restaurant, loves, loves, loves the girls, and showers us with attention and more importantly, free treats.  Can't wait for Matt to meet him.  All of the girls and teachers at the dance studio are so sweet and helpful, and so diverse.  There are dancers from Moscow, Italy, Germany, Texas, Colrado, Washington DC, and Slovenia.  Instructors are from Germany, South Africa, London, and Italy.  All are so encouraging to sweet Maddie.  Her Ballet teacher said she is "....a fighter who rises to the challenge of being the youngest in the class."  True words!

Delaney went on an excursion to Urbino, a larger town about 40 mins away, today with her art teacher.  I can't wait to hear about her experience there.  They were going to visit several art museums.  Yesterday she went to the teacher's studio to sketch still life.  Pretty cool.  Next week we are starting a ceramics course.  If you read about Urbania, they are known for their ceramics.  Not sure how we will get our creations home...

Girls at Bruno's

Next week on Wednesday, we will celebrate our independence day by taking the train into Bologna to meet Matt.  We plan to spend the day there visiting all the spots Andy recommended.  He spent a lot of time cooking and eating there!  From there, we will drive a rental car back to Urbania for a few more days before we head to Milan.  

I'm off to collect Maddie from dance on my awesome new wheels.  Love to all!! xoxox

Leah