Hello from Kalamazoo, Michigan

Today, we had a more human bus call (11am). This is good because several of the cast members are under the weather. I am happy to report that baby Spencer is feeling better. We all felt so bad for him yesterday afternoon. He bounced back pretty quick last night and was having Mikey chase him down the hotel hallway. Mikey has been giving him all the love an attention that he can't give his baby sister Maria. Mikey has decided to follow in Colin's footsteps and start learning from Chris (Bill Sikes) how to do pushups, pullups, situps and jump rope. He is very funny because he thinks he has already gained muscles and decided to show them off by carrying Clare's big suitcase up the hotel stairs last night. (One of those hotel's we hate: no elevator.) It was only a three hour drive to this hotel in Kalamazoo, so if felt like a piece of cake compared to all the long rides we had. After Mikey finished his homework we went with Colin, Missy, Allaggio(Noah) to grab a bite to eat. This is another state that does not believe in sidewalks. There are snow piles 5-6 feet high so walking in the street was a little scary. We always seem to have to risk our lives to find food on this tour. We went to a nice place called Brewsters which luckily was not to far of a walk. It is suppose to get even colder the next few days so I am not looking forward to that. I think that Brewster's walk will feel longer once the temperture drops. Missy and I stayed back tonight to do laundry. It is a sad thing when the most exciting thing is that the hotel has a washer machine and dryer. It is amazing how quickly laundry piles up and you just don't want to miss an opportunity to do it when you can. We are happy that we are in this hotel for two nights. These one-nighters are wearing. All you do is pack in the morning, upack at night and then pack back up again the next morning. The worst is that I haven't been able to fall asleep lately until 230am. It wouldn't be so bad if I could sleep on the bus but so far it has been a struggle. Mikey is still loving every minute of it and still has the glow on his face when he is performing. I can see he is going to have a tough time when he has to say good-bye to the cast at the end of the tour. He has been presenting each cast member during the tour with a sketch of them in costume. He finished his sketch of Colin's (Dodger) and gave it to him the other day. Colin has it hanging up on his bus window. I am truly amazed at the details he puts into his sketches. I told him he has to pick up the pace with his sketching because the tour is winding down. I am really pleased by all the sketching he is doing. He has been creating characters for plays that so far are only going on in his head and not written down. He has his "DS" with him but he mostly sketches. This kid got talent from somewhere....but it certainly wasn't from me! I was happy to talk to Maria who was excited about a sleep over at Uncle Jim's and JoJo's house. she told me about all the fun she had at cousin Skye's house. She played with Luke, Johnny and Skye on the trampoline. She loves going to Skye's! Mike is preparing for another Polar Bear Party with his work friends on Sunday. You would think New Day was enough for him, but no he is crazy! Mikey should be arriving back from the show any minute now, so I will say good-night.