week 8

this group of pilings was sticking out of the Chicago River...so cool!

 Today for the 8th week in a row, I dropped TJ at Act One Studio for his 3 hr acting class. Today I had my favorite teenage girl, Alexis to keep me company. Instead of my usual path East (Michigan Ave, Oak St Beach or a museum) we headed West. TJ's school is on LaSalle and Ontario. I decided to save shipping costs and walk to pick up TJ's new comps and headshots at JS Photo the premier place for professional comps/headshots or photos. The difference between JS and other printers is amazing.

 anyway we walked west about 2 miles. It was such a strange walk...so much different than when I lived down there (on lake Shore that is) gone are the projects and in it's place are a bazillion condos, but virtually no people. I did find many little stores and tons of restaurants just tucked in rehabbed warehouses or ancient buildings...stuff you would never see driving 

TJ's new headshot- for acting

below is the front and back of TJ'd comp for modeling


scanning the comp cards cast a reflection due to the glossy material

These shots were taken on the Halsted bridge that is being rebuilt, the one side that had an open walkway over-looked a large concrete company below

 looking east

Eight years old!!! My little Miracle

I can't even believe my little dream boat turned 8 yesterday. Karrick was our surprise baby and let me tell you that everyone should have a bonus baby. His older brothers are 13 and 15. With Karrick I got to just enjoy him...as a newborn, baby, toddler, little boy and now a big boy. There wasn't that "new mom...my kid did this early...bigger, better, faster bullshit" which is good because Karrick kept us guessing and contradicted everything  we thought his whole life

Ridiculously low hormone levels in early pregnancy- doctor didn't think he would survive in the womb

Early labor at 30 weeks which required 6 weeks of bed rest which turned into a 9 lb, baby at 38 weeks

Thought he might be have a mild form of Autism, just to find out he is the most outgoing kid ever 

Didn't walk until age 2 with lots of therapy, talked extremely late . Had problems with transitioning and play (stacked and sorted everything)

Every teacher from Kindercare at age 2, Pre-school, kindergarten and 1st grade thought there was "something" going on, but "just couldn't put their finger on it" Dyslexia and processing problems were mentioned. Very delayed in learning Thought he would be held back or special Ed

Just to find out in 2nd grade when everything clicked that the kid is gifted in math...he is 1 of 5 kids that is pulled out for advanced math...scored in 99% nationally in math.

My little angel is a delight to everyone he meets, he is a rule nazi and has been known to throw his classmates into a crying fit over "tag" rules. Wears his emotions on his sleeve, loves to sing and laugh and is quite the man with the ladies

You never know what will come out of his mouth...honest to a fault.

The kid knows more about Mythology than anyone

He is just about the cutest dang thing on earth

A true gift from God, words can't express how much we love him. He honestly touches everyone he meets

Happy 8th Birthday little man

Baby Jade

light

 two weekends ago we spent the weekend downtown at the JW Marriott for our anniversary. Saturday after we dropped TJ at his acting class we took Alexis with us to sight see. Our 1st stop was the Driehaus Museum . 19th Century home of banker Samuel Mayo Nickerson.

Just stunning! Flash photography was not allowed, but there was no stopping the beautiful light shinning through the stain glass windows

Paddy's Day weekend

March is always a busy month in the Mcginty house...in a 2 week span we have our wedding anniversary, Tim's, Callahan's and Patrick's birthday. At the end of the month is Karrick's birthday.

Today was the district science fair. My Callahan took home 1st place! He came up with an idea to make affordable earthquake proof homes. He found if you construct a home using a tire base, the tire absorbed the shocks.  There are millions of old tires just begging to be used.

The judges were amazed at Callahan's knowledge and background information. Callahan has been blessed with an eidetic memory so he can go on for hours. The judges thought his idea was fascinating, but wished he displayed more of his knowledge on his board. that is probably what knocked him out of  "best in show". he was disappointed, but we were proud.

Below Cal built one balsa wood structure on a base supported by rubber tires and one w/o tires. When he shook the table the non-tire structure collapsed each time.

Parents weren't allowed in during judging so the shot is from practice at home. Cal said it went perfectly

My little Karrick in his 1st science fair ever took home 2nd place. He built a solar car all by himself and ran the tests all by himself. He even directed me on how to shoot the testing shots

Happy Birthday Patrick- 11 years old

 After the science fair Karrick went to a buddies birthday party at extreme trampoline...great day for the new car!

 My Callahan turned 13 yesterday!

He has turned into a teenager right before our eyes! He is growing like a weed almost 5'9, he has become the object of many girls affection. These girls text him non-stop and he meets a few at the mall every weekend

 Last night we went to Harry Carry's in Lombard for Cal's birthday dinner

I am officially the mother of 2 teenage boys...holy smokes how did this happen

they were just like this yesterday it seems