WOW!  What a great Opening Ceremonies!  It was held at the Olympic swimming venue - all around the pools.  A marching band started the parade & played while all 2000 plus athletes entered.  Greek sailors lined each side of the pool as the flag was carried in by 4 athletes.  Then, a drum line performed & it was amazing!  A baby grand piano was on one of the diving towers & as the Special Olympics flag was raised, the pianist played a song specially commissioned for the Games.  Mythological creatures moved into the venue in a cloud of smoke, dancers with scarves performed, the synchronized swimmers were great fun, & then a beautiful singer on the high dive tower entertained.  I'm sure there was more, but it's hard to remember everything.  OH - YES - the first medals of the Games were awarded.  How could I forget something as important as that?  We got to see a freestyle relay & the medal ceremony.  Lots of wonderful things, but the best was seeing the Georgia athletes marching in as part of the US team.  They are making us all proud!

The parents had an adventure getting to the venue.  They took taxis to the metro station.  The line was closed for repairs so they took a bus to another station.  Pickpockets got Joey's bag opened, but Arnetha hollered & they ran off.  But the bottom line is that they arrived in time for al the festivities.  Danny searched out food & delivered sandwiches to everybody.  A good time was had by all!

Tomorrow is a busy day.  Ana is getting up early to make breakfast sandwiches for the girls so they can get in a few more minutes of beauty sleep before they catch the bus at 7:50 to come to the gym.  They will demonstrate for the artistic gymnastics judges training in the morning & have their training at the venue in the afternoon.  Stay tuned for the next update!