Rachel, I've already told this to Zuzka, but I wanted to say it on here as well, I think you should be the one in charge of decorating the room for our mom's Birthday. You've done a great job in past, and I am sure you'll do wonderful with this one too. I will help out as much as I can. Johnny said he'll help too.

Annette, I can't believe how well organized you are, despite your being so busy with Micah (and Rebekah and Kamil ;o)) I appreciate you putting so much thought into this, and I think from me, personally, that our boys will love this kind of stuff. They like anything to do with singing (with motions), coloring, play-doh, reading books, etc. I will probably try to pack a few of their favorite toys, as well, as a last resort, and even just for playing at mom's house. But again, thank you. I know how busy you are right now. For those of you without kids, it IS a big difference between having one or two kids. So, just keep it simple, and I'm sure I speak for everyone here (who IS a parent), that your plan sounds great, and our children will have a wonderful time, and they will remember this trip for a long time!

I have stopped taking the antibiotics, because I was feeling so unbelievably sick and had so many side effects from it. So, hopefully it will be getting better now. I still have a toothache, but it's a lot more managable.

I've asked Johnny's mom yesterday, if she could donate some of the Amway products for our trip, and she was very excited to help with that. I will have to send those ahead of time in mail, because she said, when she went to Florida, and wanted to take some of these cleaning products for her daughter there, they threw it out of her luggage at the airport. (Luckily, she has connections with some of the people there at the airport, so she was able to recover this stuff when she came back...) But I guess, I just wanted to warn you, to be very careful about what you pack, because once they take it, they won't give it back. So, that, and the soap will be there waiting. And I guess you all will take care of your hand sanitizers by your personal preference, right?

Dinnerware: I know Rachel had a question about that. Here is what I could bring (what I already have): 150 plates, 80 plastic cups, 80 bowls. I will look back at what Rene already said they are bringing, and then will start adding it up. From my personal calculations, there will be 22 persons eating solids Tuesday through Sunday (some may be leaving on Sunday), I didn't count Micah, since I didn't think he doesn't need a plate for his food yet :o) So, here are my calculations:

22 people x 3 plates (3 meals) x 6 days = 396 PLATES
22 people x 1 bowl (cereal or soup) x 6 days = 132 BOWLS (or more)
22 people x 1 cup person/day x 6 days = 132 CUPS

Then, if we are bringing forks and spoons as well, I thought we should bring about 132 spoons and 264 forks. But that's up to you all. I am not sure our mom even has 22 silver spoons and 22 silver forks...

So, I guess the remainder of plastic/paperware, that needs to be supplied is this:

Plates: 396-100-150= 146
Bowls: 132-80=52
Cups: 132-80=52

And all forks and spoons.

And one more thing, I bought a bath robe, for our mom, without thinking, if anybody else maybe already bought it for her. This one is very nice, from Bath&Body Works, ultra soft and warm. But I haven't opened it yet, because if someone has already bought one for her, I'd like to return it. So, please, could you let me know?

OK, talk to you all later.
Ika B.