Boys will be Boys

While there are many struggles raising 3 boys, e.g. the fighting, bickering, rough housing with more fighting , bickering and not to mention they are messy little creatures. I find delight in watching them all play together. One of their favorite Winter activities is turning our back yard and deck into a ski ramp. They pack snow down the stairs, put the skate board ramp at the bottom, then proceed to cover the entire structure with water to form a solid piece of ice. TJ has mastered landing a 360 on the snow board. Half the fun is "taking out" your brother if he doesn't move out of the way in time. Sure, it's just a matter of time before we visit the ER at Elmhurst Hospital. I just keep repeating Tim's words "Boys will be boys" and I try not to watch too much.

Winter static

St. Nick

When I got to St. Pius X to pick up Karrick I was greeted by St. Nick. I honestly have to say I will miss St Pius next year when Karrick goes to kindergarten at the public school. It is a joy that Karrick can openly learn about St. Nick and Christmas at school. I think it is really hard today for kids to know the true meaning of Christmas with all the glitz and glamour  shoved down their throats at every store. We went to bed with our empty shoes by the door for St. Nick to fill.

Karrick had some concerns about Patrick sampling his treats and suggested we put his shoe under my bed for safe keeping. I assured him his shoe would be safe by the front door.

I know, I'm guilty of some glitz and glamour myself

A Christmas Carol

Today TJ has a test on "The Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. The test is on Act 1 and is also a District wide assessment. I did test TJ last night on everything from the Characters, stage notes, vocabulary to individual interpretation . I was somewhat surprised at the level of difficulty. My first thought was "it's a play on the Christmas Carol" how friggin hard can it be? It's going to be hard. At TJ's school they do not dumb these kids down. TJ seemed prepared and well versed. I sent him to school with the only advice I had "take your time, read the question, figure out what the answer requires and give detail, then give more detail to support your answer" At the end of reading this play, when all the tests are complete the 7th grade class will travel together and get to see the performance of A Christmas Carol. As Callahan sat at the kitchen table, bored with his 4th grade homework I caught him more than once listening to TJ and I discuss Act1. He had a light of passion in his eyes that would melt ice. I think him and I are going to have date at the Goodman Theater.

A Rare Treat

We had a rare treat in the McGinty house tonight. After school we had no where that we had to be. I picked up Karrick and Buttercup from St. Pius X and his teacher said she was delighted that Buttercup has become a fixture in the classroom. After nap time the teacher calls each student one by one to get up and put their mat away. As Karrick's name was called he said " Now Buttercup, you need to stay on your mat until your name is called". Mrs. Charmonti called Buttercups name and was delighted to share the story with me at pick up.

Buttercups new mode of transportation

No, I'm not kidding(at the Jewel)

When we returned after our quick trip to the store, I found the boys engaged in a snowball fight in the yard.

It was nice to see the guys use their free night to do things other than using electronics. TJ has this new hobby The Games Workshop hobby of Warhammer is all about collecting, painting and fighting battles with armies of model miniatures. In truth, it's not really one hobby but a lot of related ones. For some people, the obsession is all about spending hours painting the minutest detail onto their models, honing their skills to truly incredible levels. For others, painting is merely a necessary step to fielding armies in collossal battles, which can last anything from a couple of hours to a whole weekend. One of the things that makes Warhammer so fascinating is the way everybody has a slightly different take, making any new army or piece of terrain a fascinating proposition.

It's a multi step process, 1st all pieces need to be spay painted with a special paint that will allow regular paint to adhere to the little pieces.

Karrick not to be left out put together w/o any help his own tank. He has been using directions on his own for a couple of years now, starting with little Lego sets. He just follows the pictures. What the kid lacks in large motors skills he definitely makes up in fine motor skills.

Even dinner on the couch after a bath and his new "Christmas dog" pajamas.

TJ's Casting

TJ had an audition today for Giant Eagle grocery store.This was his 1st commercial casting since we "took a break" almost 2 years ago. I picked TJ up after school and we  headed for our old stomping grounds,

TPR Casting

located at 10 west Hubbard. I was amazed at how quickly TJ jumped back into it. When auditioning for TV you go in a closed door room with the casting directors, that you really can't see due to the intense lighting all while being put on film. Just once I want to go in and watch...Never! Not even with the babies are you allowed in. TJ came out with a big smile indicating it was a successful audition. He'll either get a callback or he won't. He went in, did his job and now we have no control after that. My boys know if they don't book it or even get a callback it can be as simple as their hair color doesn't match the mom or dad that has been cast. One thing I know is that later in life when my boys have a job interview, it will be old hat. You cannot get better practice then these auditions.

TJ headshot in hand reviewing the storyboard for his audition

The secret door that I haven't been able to crack. "what is TJ doing behind the door?" "why don't they let me in?"

The First Snow Fall

Who doesn't love the first snow fall?

Patrick matches the kitchen floor

We live on the North side of Lombard which is in the historial district. This home sets up almost a 100 plastic santas every year. It's the place where unwanted santas go to live out their years. The man has been "adopting" these santas forever and proudly displays them every year.

How pretty is the pond near our home, it's lovely to drive around after the first snow fall

A Wonderful Week

Thanksgiving was spent at McGinty Farm. The day was very relaxing for me. Tim cooked and cleaned up. My boys, including Tim were off the entire week due to parent teacher conferences and vacation time for Tim. I decided it was time to get back to the gym. I still think of myself as a skinny gal, but then I see photos of myself that say otherwise. Glass Court in Lombard has indoor/outdoor pools, full basketball court, racket ball, many different exercise rooms, track, nursery and yes a bar. It is very kid friendly. I went 4 times this week and yes, I took photos of myself with the timer...Dork. They will be my before and after pictures. The boys love it because they can swim, run the track and TJ is old enough for the free Jr. personal training sessions. It is 3x a week for ages 12-13 year olds can learn how to safely use the equipment. On Sunday Tim and I cooked a turkey at home with all the fixin's. It was a great week to stay home and hang with the family use

My night with TJ

Mission Statement

Through a collaborative environment, we will develop emotionally, socially, physically, and academically to prepare for our futures.

Today I had TJ's parent teacher conference at GWMS. I couldn't be happier with this school. Glen Westlake is a new state of the art middle school with high expectations and high achievers. As we sat in the hall waiting, TJ was so nervous he looked sick. Now, with every single grade from homework to tests posted online along with teacher comments there are no surprises. TJ after a rough start, now at midterm has a solid B average. Finally, after I thought the kid was going to pass out from anxiety, I finally asked what he was afraid of? His reply " I'm afraid that you are going to embarrass me and act weird" Hmmm, the only thing that popped into my head was" OMG I have a teenager" Boy, do I remember...
We walked in and all TJ's teachers were lined up and 1 by 1, each one gave glowing reports on TJ. His math and social studies teachers were ecstatic with his recent A's on Friday's tests. Great kid, great kid, great kid. Some times a little to social was the only improvement suggested. Walking out TJ sighed with relief, apparently my behavior past his test and he didn't feel the need to crawl under a table.
With a bounce in his step he suggested the 2 of us sit in Bouna Beef together and have some dinner. As I looked across the table I couldn't be more proud of the person TJ is and the man he is turning into.
Tj and I had a nice dinner together just the 2 of us.

Buttercup

Karrick has a dog named Buttercup. Buttercup has followed him everywhere for more than a year now. Today is Buttercups birthday, so Karrick and I made cupcakes for the big day. Buttercup has unique coloring. Last year Karrick colored the driveway with pastel colored chalk, sprayed it with the hose then smushed the dogs face in it. Now Buttercup has a permanent rainbow colored face

Buttercup in Cocoa Beach Florida

Buttercup on his way to St. Pius X

Here we go again

With the family room complete it was time to gut and renovate the laundry room. I never fully realized the damage a flood can do. I was having nightmares about the mold growing behind the walls and decided it was time to bring it down to the bare bones. The outside wall was the only wall left to be gutted. That meant moving the washer, dryer and deep freezer. All the built in cabinets had to be tossed.

I doused the studs with pure bleach and will let it dry out, then I am going to insulate and drywall it myself.

Yucky yucky yucky

You Know it's almost Winter When...

You know it's almost Winter when all the kids have colds, the ground is covered with brown leaves and all the deck furniture has to be put in the garage.  With all of us working together it only took about 4 hours. It starts with moving stuff around in the garage and shed to fit no less than 15 pieces of deck furniture. After sweeping the last leaf off, it was time for play. The kids had a ball tackling, flinging and shoving each other into a giant pile of leaves in the driveway.

The grill stays put year round, although it does get placed much closer the the door.

On another note, some things just need to be shared. Cal received his ISAT scores yesterday from 3rd grade. 95th % in Reading and 97th % in math. Being in the top 4% of the country doesn't suck

Pinching Pennies and the The luck of The Irish

TJ informed me this morning that he needed new shoes. S_ _ _ ! I think to myself, I know he's growing, but $80 shoes every 2+ months. He informed me that they do indeed still fit." They are just ripped and plastic is cutting the back of my foot" he says innocently. "Oh no no" I say. He that walks on the back of his shoes, must suffer the consequences. To teach him a valuable lesson about taking care of things, I pull out the universal solution to all broken things. DUCK tape! I hand him back his refurbished skate shoe, just waiting for his "please mom, I can't..." Much to my surprise, I got "cool mom, there are lots of kids at school that have Duck tape holding their shoes together" All mom's of 7th graders think alike.

My neighbor Doug comes over and says "Hey, so and so has Duck tape on his shoes too" Smiling to myself, I feel awfully hip.

Still smiling, I pull into the gas station just to see gas under 2 bucks! Now I'm beside myself with glee. Before I can even say "Cha-ching" and fill my tank. The price drops 10 cents a gallon!

With my extra savings, I decide to treat myself to a cup of Dunkin Dounts coffee inside the gas station. Apparently everyone else has the same idea. Screw the long line. I'll cross the street where gas is 16 cents higher and buy a cup of coffee and save a buck fifty. I'm on a roll....The new cashier informs me she rang up my large coffee as a medium, therefore saving me 20 cents.

Do I even dare to dream...