So much to report, and such an unreliable memory.  Thankfully, someone who loves me gave me a handy Moleskin notebook for my purse...lifesaver!

Imagine this:  Three American ladies, 7 large bags, 2 planes, 4 trains, one hotel room,  and one cab ride for a total of 36 hours of European travel before we arrived in Urbania (which I have totally been mispronouncing).  Navigating our bags from the train station the three blocks to our hotel in Milan at 10:30 at night was a highlight.  Also suffered a casualty, sadly.  As we triumphantly stepped off the train in Pesaro, where a cab would collect us and take us to Urbania, Delaney notices a woman on the train gesturing wildly and yelling at us in Italian.  The train was already moving and this poor woman looked crazed, but we shrugged and chalked it up to Italian enthusiasm.  It wasn't until hours later in the cab that Maddie asks the fateful question, "where is the camera bag?"  Oops.  Not a fun phone call to make to Daddy informing him the brand new camera and very fancy lens we just purchased for him for Father's Day was halfway to Bologna.  The bright side is that Daddy was smart enough to buy the security plan which should cover the loss.  Thank God for his unending foresight.

All in all, we loved train travel.  The ride through Germany, Switzerland, and into Italy was breathtaking and we felt very glamourous having dinner in the dining car.  The girls made themselves right at home, clearly (you can see the edge of my computer screen playing "Under the Tuscan Sun"--I'm such a dork).

Urbania is a picturesque little town with cobblestone streets and ancient buildings.  Our apartment is perfect, minus the lack of air conditioning.  Maddie wisely spent 14 of her precious Euros on a fan for her room.  I rolled my eyes at the purchase, then proceeded to march down to the electronics store after my first night of sleeping in my own sweat and did the same.  Maddie and Laney...oh wise ones.  Our landlords speak no English, but through the translation ap on my phone (not kidding) I finally understood why Luigi (not kidding) was emphatically gesturing and working on the small TV in the kitchen.  He wanted to make sure we didn't miss the Italy/England Euro game on Sunday.  We did catch the game but missed the big win so we could get Maddie to bed for dance the next morning.  Two things about that experience:  Nothing like watching soccer in Europe with the locals when their team is playing (thanks for the tips, brother Matt); and even though we missed the ending, we heard the shouts and celebration in the streets.   Here is our abode:

And the town square:

The food is amazing, of course.  I will let the girls write about this at length when it is their turn. It is a wonderful gift to have two little foodies as traveling companions.  I will say this--I'm not sure how many days I can have chocolate croissant and cappuccino for breakfast before my pants stop fitting, but I am up for the challenge.

To combat the fat factor, Maddie's studio is 1.5 miles away from our apartment and we don't have a car.  Yesterday I logged about 6 miles walking throughout the day going back and forth. It's not quite as hilly as our neighborhood loop, but it is hot and no joke!!  She dances for 4.5 hours then ends her day with pilates and the hike back home.  That girl is earning her carb-loaded delicious dinner after that...and the gelato that inevitably follows.  Her dance teacher is very impressed with her and kept her in the senior group.  Delaney and I are very proud of our little dancer.

Tomorrow Delaney begins working with her painting and drawing teacher.  They will be heading to the museum for inspiration then finding a spot in town to work.  I will start language lessons.  One week of Italian probably won't make much of a difference long term, but I think it will help us get through the next few weeks.

Here is the birthday treat Delaney surprised me with after returning from Maddie's dance studio.  It's hard to see but it is tomatoes with gouda on crackers.  Delizioso! 

So far, this experience has exceeded my expectations.  I really didn't have a plan or agenda, I just wanted to peel away all the layers of our every day lives that kept us from really connecting.  That is definitely accomplished here.  My big girl and I had such fun spending time together while Maddie is dancing--that is priceless to me these days. Of course I am having pangs of homesickness (my dear friend Jill is giving birth to twins any day now and I will miss that--heartbreaking) for Matt, family and friends.  On my birthday  I was a little teary missing Daddy and the girls were so sweet and concerned.  I told them that after 18 years if I am still crying because I miss Daddy, then they are in good shape!  Mostly I am blown away with the girls' bravery and fearlessness.  Maddie didn't hesitate to jump in with the "big girls" who are clearly well trained dancers, and shine her very bright light.  Delaney is every bit willing to have an adventure with an art teacher in this strange country.  Both remind me how important it is to live and love in a very big way.  

Love to all.

Leah