My daughter Lilli, who is a ballerina in the making, auditioned for and was accepted into the Jofftrey ballet camp this spring. There are three camps in order of increasing prestige: New York, Atlanta, and Detroit. She was accepted into the first two. We chose New York because, well, its New York and its ballet! Anyhow camp started June 13, and she flew there with two friends from her ballet studio (Grand Junction Academy of Dance). Apparently the regulations regarding children traveling without adults is somewhat loose because no flags were raised anywhere including at check in yesturday. The staff at United weren't terribly sure, but they seemed to think at twelve that unless you request and pay for an accompaniment, it is not necessary.

   Lilli has only flown twice in the last few years, both times with me (Mom) and they were international flights. All of her domestic experience was when she and her sisters were babies and we flew to visit my sister in Santa Cruz (picture two car seats with babies and a three year old) I started driving after doing that once. So while I felt like this wasn't an altogether new experience, it was still a little overwhelming. She weighs 81 pounds and is 5'1" - couldn't wrestle herself out of a handhold. Unfortunately for me I watched the movie "Taken" last month. Her two friends however both have regular flights back east, one to her Dad three times a year with older sister in tow, and the other to Grandparents yearly. We hired the "pick up" limo service for a split $100 fee. So I was feeling pretty okay about the flight there and maiking it to their dorms.

   However the flight back, Lilli will be on her own as she stays two weeks and the other girls are returning after one week. The "drop off service" according to one mom was to the ticket desk, but according to the liason for Joffrey was to the correct carrier door, curbside only. This would be one of those times that I am glad I don't just listen to the answer that I would like to hear, because I almost let it go. However, I have never flown through La Guardia, but I have flown through JFK and Newark - I had an idea what New York airports might look like to my little twelve year old. I therefore bought myself a round trip ticket to New York flying in the day before she gets out and leaving two days later. My ticket was cheap $404 considering the late purchase time (3 weeks out) but changing Lilli's ticket, so we could spend a day and a night together in NY, was $275. I decided that I could have flown in the night before and back out with her on her flight but what would be the fun in that. When life gives you lemons make lemonade. We are doing a little sightseeing, I have never been inside the Statue of Libery, and if Lilli's chaperone doesn't take her to the Guggenheim, then that will be the museum du jour. Tickets to "Wicked" for Saturday night and we fly out Sunday morning.  

   She called from Denver then again from the plane after they landed in NY. I didn't hear from her then for two hours and that horrible but oh so recommended movie, "Taken" came to mind. I left a message and a text for Lilli "You were supposed to call me from the limo" and "if you don't text me soon, I am going to freak out". She called and texted; they had been out buying metro passes and groceries (sent her with cash, two disposable $100 visa cards and one of my credit cards in her name with pin - strict instructions to keep them in different locations). This is where those trips to Europe with Mom have come in handy! Hope you are well, Heidi. Told Gabi about Stella's passing. She sent her condolances. Sincerely, Tracy