Reading, PA

Mike (Dad) and Maria (Mikey's sister) joined us in Reading, PA. Maria was so exicted to see us as we were to see her. Mikey showered her with presents that we picked up along the last leg of the tour. We had a really, really, really, quick bite to eat at a diner before going to bus call to the theater. Maria was exicted to ride the bus and had a great time playing with Jeremiah (the tutor.) She had fun with the paper bag puppet he made. Baby Spencer was so cute learning Maria's name right away and say Hi every time he saw her. At first they weren't sure of each other because they were both competing for Mikey's attention. We enjoyed front row center seats so Maria had an unobstructed view of the show. Mikey was standing right in front of us when singing "Food Glorious Food," and "Be Back Soon." He couldn't help but crack a smile. He asked Maggie the wardrobe lady to allow him to wear his original red jacket for Maria. She gave him a brown jacket that was big on him about two months ago because the red jacket was tearing easy but Mikey really loves the red one. He was so happy to wear it again. Maria wore her red Christmas dress so that she could take a picture with "Nancy" (Rhiannon) who wears a red dress in the show. Maria loves when she sings "As Long As He Needs Me...." Although sitting up so close last night she really got a kick at of Fagin (Zac). Since she met most of the cast out of costume she as really studying who was playing who as the show went on. She kept asking me "Who plays Fagin." No one ever guesses Zac plays Fagin once he takes his makeup off. After the show Mike and Mikey went to get us Dunkin Donuts while Maria and I had some girl time together. She wore her new ""Ariel" night gown to bed. Today we had to part for two more days. I gave her a giant stuffed pink little pony to hug on the ride home. She promised to pick us up at the airport on Sunday and is so happy we are coming home. Now we are on the bus heading toward Akron, Ohio. We had to pick up the crew on the way because there bus broke down last night. They will really have their work cut out for them once we arrived.
We have to rush to get them there so there will be no lunch stop today. The boys will not be thrilled but it is just another part of tour life. "Be Back Soon."