CJ's Trip to California

A few weeks ago CJ had the opportunity to travel with the Philharmonic and Acapella to California. 

In the days leaded up to the departure, I encouraged CJ to start packing.  He decided to start on Tuesday afternoon.  He and I made a trip to a few stores to pick up needed items, including treats!  CJ packed “light” as the instructions indicated!  I added just a few things to his bag after he went to bed.  On Wednesday morning, they boarded the buses and were on their way.   I learned from CJ that there are “different” games that kids play now-a-days on the bus.  They played cards, and mind games.  They solved riddles and listen to iPods.  Only G rated movies were allowed on the bus, so Finding Nemo was the only movie CJ watched.  He said he preferred to NOT have a movie playing?  WHAT? 

We received several text messages from CJ asking where I had put the camera.  We kept telling him where it was, but he said it wasn’t there.  After 11 long hours they arrived at the embassy suites and checked in for the night.  CJ shared his room with another CJ, Nate, Jim, Peter and Jacob.  They went right to bed (RIGHT!!!!!).  The next morning we actually talked to CJ on the phone (like we could hear each other’s voices instead of texting) and we walked him through where to find the camera in his bag.  It was a good thing I had packed it!!!!!  He found the hidden pocket (in plain sight) with the camera in it.  

 

Thursday they headed off to Disneyland.  The orchestra spent the morning in a Disney workshop.  They played the track to the rain scene at the end of Lion King and the sally ride scene from Cars.  He thinks the other track was from Fantasia called STORM.  This was his first time playing with a click track.  When they were done recording they got to see and hear their track with the movie.  It was a great experience.  They spent the remainder of the day at the park.  His favorite ride was the Grizzly Bear Rapids. 

I don’t have any pictures yet from his first two days.  I only sent him with one chip for the camera and he had to download it after he filled it the first time.  I was shocked when he called me and said it was full since last year he came home and had only taken three pictures! 

On Friday they woke up at 4 am thinking the gym would be open, but it wasn’t.  So, they went back to their room and waited for breakfast.  They headed down to the all-you-can-eat breakfast at 5:55 am.  CJ said it was more like “all-you-can-stand-in-line-for” breakfast.  He managed to eat 3-4 servings at least.  I wonder if the hotel knows what they are in for when a school group books a block of rooms.  They spent the morning at the Aquarium of the Pacific.  I thought CJ must have loved the jelly fish because he took so many pictures of them, but he informed me that they were really boring, just hard to take pictures of.  He said being there made him miss the Shedd Aquarium from Chicago!  After they finished up there, they went to the University of Southern California.  They had a great experience with a guest conductor.  Apparently, he tried to fix a few things when Mr. Allred jumped in and politely asked him not to change too much because they were going to perform that on Saturday!  Friday night they went to CATS!  I guess I didn’t explain the plot enough to CJ ahead of time because he thought it was weird, but good.  That sounds like a teenage explanation of something wonderful, doesn’t it?



A hand in the tank!  Just the right thing to entertain a group of teenage boys!



 



CJ would like to pattern his life after a SEA OTTER!



CJ had taken lots of pictures of the Jelly Fish.  I asked him if they were that interesting to him.  His reply, "NO, just hard to take pictures of."



A Ferrari in the Mall Parking Lot.  What a photo op!



Saturday they were back at Disneyland, this time to perform.  They played a program fit for the Magic Kingdom including a Star wars medley, Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserable’s.  They enjoyed another afternoon and evening soaking up the Magic of the Happiest Place on Earth.  CJ said the light show was incredible and sent me a video message. 

Sunday morning, they held a morning side at the hotel and then loaded the buses to return home. 

CJ walked in our front door just before 11 pm.  I received a fabulous “I really missed you mom” hug from my BIG boy!  He was “chatty” which never happens, so I stayed up for quite a while listening to his adventures even thought I was schedules to work in the morning.  He had bought each of the girls a little necklace and a set of cards for the family that are very cool.  He managed to bring me back a MICKEY MOUSE loaf of sourdough bread that we enjoyed for dinner on Monday night.  He had a great time!  I am so grateful for good kids and great programs that our children are able to be part of!

Back Home!



Sugar was SO excited to see him.  She got the first hugs and loves.



I thought it would be fun to share a few segments of the text messages between CJ and I while he was gone.  It says it all!  (Spelling and punctuation are real!)

Wednesday (CJ dropped off at 0930)

09:38   CJ:  Can you bring over my pillow?

09:39   Mom: Meet me in the five in the Orchestra Parking lot.

11:46   CJ:  Wheres the cammara

11:47   Mom:  Inside pocket, right side.  How is the bus?

11:52   CJ:  Great     but I can’t find the cammara

11:52   Mom:  Inside on the right side.

11:52   Mom:  Try the outside right pocket?

11:53   CJ:  k  I will but I may not have pics for the bus ride there   sorry  (I told him he better take pictures this year!)

12:40   Mom:  I’m talking about the green bag.  You have that one with you right?  (Mom getting worried we are not even talking about the same bag)

12:41   CJ:  yeah

12:43   Mom:  K so u still don’t see it???? Maybe after u eat some food out of your bag you’ll find it.  Love u!  Take a pic with your phone until u find it.

THURSDAY

Morning – Dave calls CJ and walks him through finding the camera in the inside right pocket of the green bag!  YEAH – he can take some pictures today.

09:59   CJ:  ohhh yeah  61 degress and sunny

10:02   Mom:  You look great!  Soak up the sun, and bring some home for us.  What time is your workshop today?

10:05   CJ:  In 20 min

10:05  Mom:  I can’t wait to hear how it goes!

18:23   CJ:  I’m lovin calli  (includes pic)

18:29  Mom:  Awesome!  What ride is that?  How was the workshop?

18:29  CJ:  GREAT  allifornia sceemin

22:27  CJ:  The audio sucks but heres an idea of how I spent the last hour

22:58  Mom:  That is so awesome……I wish I were there too!  Did u send that to gma?  She would love it .   Are you back at the hotel?  Say your prayers, read at least one scripture.  Sleep tight.  I love you!

22:59  Mom:  Was that Buzz Light Year?

23:14   CJ:  Yeah it was

FRIDAY

09:02   CJ  Did u pack an extra camera memeory card

09:03  Mom:  No, I didn’t, but that one should hold about 400 pics.

09:05  CJ:  Yeah    ill just delete my videios

09:08  Mom:  Does one of the adult have a card slot you could download into?  We could get pics from them when u get home?

J  No reply from CJ

SATURDAY

23:29   Mom:  Hi Bud!  Hope your day was awesome.  Sleep well.  Enjoy your morningside.  Don’t forget any clothes that you put in the closet.  Pack tonight!  Love you tons.

23:30  CJ:  K  love ya too   I got some micky cards and got some cute stuff for the girls

23:52  CJ:  k I got ur bread  it might be a bit squished thoughJ

23:54  Mom: I’ll take it any way it makes it back.  Did u get some for you too?