And we say goodbye.

We all met at the airport this evening to say our final goodbyes.  It was filled with smiles and tears--laughter and promises to keep in touch.  Here are a few pictures of our final meeting.  We cannot wait to see you again.  Thank you Brazil parents for entrusting your children to our care.   Love, The Madonna Family-Tom, Kelly, Megan, Ashley and Christopher

Heading into our last week

We spent the day all over dallas today. We started up north in Richardson. Ursuline sent a team of engineers who built robots to a competition held at the University of Texas. The competed against other high schools. Their robots were to perform specific tasks under timed guidlines. Ursuline had a strong team and a large cheering section--all in pink. I don't know the final results, but I do know they had a good day.

We were then off to Christopher's lacrosse game (an american game played with baskets on the ends of sticks and a hard rubber ball) After watching his team win, we took Lucas and Daniel for Tex-Mex for lunch and grabbed some tacos and enchaladas.

They left with Ashley and her friend Caroline to go see High School Musical 3---the newest movie craze here. The girls lovedthe movies, not so sure about the boys. After we picked up Meagan at Jesuit (she was in Ft. Worth all day with the band) we headed down to Northpark for dinner a little shopping---okay a lot of shopping. Anyone who thinks the US economy is bad needs to come hang out at Northpark Mall in Dallas!!!

Tom and Lucas went to Tom's indoor soccer game. The rest of us came to sleep and relax. The girls are going down to Ursuline for a special Mass tomorrow for mothers and daughters and the boys are heading to the Dallas Cowboys football game.

I am hoping a nap is being planned soon.

Ciao,
Kelly

Half way point

I think we are beginning to wear our guests down. When we arrived home from school yesterday, Lucas and Daniel disappeared into their rooms. When we went to go ask them about dinner, we realized they had fallen asleep. We delayed dinner for a while, woke them to eat, and let them rest for the remainder of the evening. We are continuing to enjoy having them--even as we are wearing them out!

Ciao Kelly

Backyard Cookout

We had the entire Brazilian delegation, their host families, some close friends and neighbors over this afternoon for hamburgers and hot dogs.  Here is Lucas, John and my son Christopher playing basketball

In the middle of more girls

Lucas and Daniel found themselves in the middle of more girls this afternoon.  Here they are with Megan and then her soccer team, Texas Spirit '93 before their game.

Friday Night Football

The kids were all sleeping late today as we were out late at the Jesuit football game.  This particular game was special in that Jesuit was celebrating its homecoming for former students.  The boys and girls traditionally exchange large decorated flowers (called "mums") to be worn at the football game.  We gave Lucas and Daniel mums to wear last night and they thought we were trying to make them look like fools! I agree it all looks pretty silly--welcome to Texas.  They started to relax once they saw other boys wearing the same.  You'll notice them in the middle of the Jesuit Rangerettes Drill Team....then in the middle of some cheerleaders...more to come

Our honored guests were officially welcomed by the Ursuline girls and faculty this morning.