All-Star game

American League

Tonight TJ represented the White Sox for the American league

all-star game and we beat the National league 19-12

The game was a full 9 innings, 3 hrs long. There was electricity

in the air and the stands were packed

All the kids are great ball players so I was really looking forward

to a fun relaxing game with TJ possibly playing in the

outfield with no pressure.

or so I thought

I almost passed out when I found out he was pitching...in the all-star game?

Really? Seriously!

The stress a mother feels anytime her child pitches is off the charts.

Wasn't sure I would be able to breath, but TJ did well and

walked off the field with a smile. The remainder of the game he played

shortstop and 3rd base...with some amazing plays!

TJ just missed a home run...ball hit fence, but didn't go over

My baby pitching as I hyperventilated in the stands

TJ confessed to being really nervous, but it didn't show

TJ and friends after the game

There was a 50/50 raffle and I won! All of Lombard heard

me scream when my number was called.

I walked away with $54, which I

proudly split with TJ. I couldn't of been happier had

it been a thousand bucks

Thank Cindi M. It was fate that you picked my ticket!

Tim took Cal and Karrick to Wis today. TJ and I

will join them after his travel game tomorrow at 8am

No Ducks Left Behind...

My kids grammar school has an enclosed open-air courtyard. It is a landscaped area used by the teachers and students for quiet reading and learning. It is accessed only

through the school. For years ducks have made nests on the roof to lay their eggs. This has become a learning experience for the kids as they await the arrival of the ducklings.

Once the ducklings hatch our Principle announces the arrival over the PA system.

Students and teachers quietly view the ducklings through the windows

that surround the courtyard

Once they are born, they need to be escorted 3 blocks away to the pond at Park View School.

If they are not escorted out with in 2 days, mama will peck on the school

door to remind the teachers that it is time to get moving.

The ducklings are escorted down the school hallways and out the front door

to their new home

Just Like My Big Brother...TJ

Karrick decided it is time for him to play ball.

We dug out one of the many uniforms

we have accumulated over the last 8 years. 

At the ball field

Karrick walked up to coach Mike 

"Do you need me to play?"

"We might" Coach answered

There is nothing in this world that can surpass the 

cuteness of Karrick sitting next to TJ in the dug out

during last nights game.

It was a show stopper and I had

NO CAMERA!

These 2 share such a special bond

A Poem

For Language Arts TJ had to write a series of poems 

14 to be exact

The one that popped out for me was the Simile

               WAR

War is the fight over right and wrong

It sounds like guns

It tastes like blood

It smells like burning

It looks like terror

War feels like the wrong answer

tj mcginty            

       

and he can cook...

TJ made me homemade blueberry pancakes this morning.

What a wonderful treat from a fine young man

Not everyone was as appreciative 

karrick    "they don't look like McDonald's pancakes...whaaa"

Mom    "They're not suppose to look like McDonald's pancakes"

 Karrick     "Then maybe you should of got me McDonald's pancakes!...Grrrrr"

Karrick    "I'm not going to eat them!"

Good Morning

Good Morning Lombard

It's Friday,  It's sunny.

 I sip coffee on the porch with my neighborhood paper

In today's world it's the simple things; in this case

it's a new pool...5 to be exact

Opening day is tomorrow with a ceremony and "all jump"

Everyone surrounds the pools and we all jump in together

Whoops...

Our big beautiful fridge and dishwasher arrived!
It just happens to be a little (3 inches) to big for the space.
God forbid we return it and get something that actually fits.

Instead, we are going to adjust the kitchen to fit the refrigerator
When our man, Dominic replaces the counters and back splash
Wednesday, we will have him install new cabinets (3 inches smaller)

Until then, our new big and beautiful refrigerator sits in the middle in the floor

It's so nice to look at

Crap, when the kitchen is complete I may even be inclined to cook

Kitchen renovation begins

I am focusing on the fun part of my day tomorrow, not my

impending neurosurgery at 10 am.

So,

 next Wednesday we are having our kitchen renovated.

We are getting a new stone back splash, new granite counters

and a new granite peninsula (table)

New paint and trim (living room too)

We are getting a brand new laundry room,  and master bath

repaired (water damage due to roof leak)

Tomorrow our new appliances are being delivered and I can't wait to

see them through my drug induced haze

This is our new refrigerator

SWEET!

Dishwasher

Niiiiiice!

Not sure which oven yet. We went to a store in Melrose park

picked all appliances out, ready to pay and found out that the sales tax was 15%

No F-ing way!

We walked out and went to Frye's in our hometown

in good old DuPage county where an 8% sales tax all of the sudden seems

cheap. They didn't have either stove there so we are on a hunt

We did get a new dryer to be delivered tomorrow

I like the first stove better, but it is not cheap

so we will see...

I purposely avoided my impending doom

OK, I'm getting 5 nerves cut in my Cervical Spine...OUCH!

Paradise is just 5 blocks away

Wow, our new neighborhood pool is done! 

Paradise Bay

Demolition (amazing photos)

The pool is due to open on time June 6th. It is close enough for 

the boys and their friends to get there on foot or by bike.

It looks amazing and definitely worth our property tax

increase

I'm so excited!

My First Bike

Karrick got his first real bike. He climbed on and

stated " I don't have any bike skills"

The humor there is that Karrick  tells anyone who will listen 

"I have Ubert skills"

(uber)

(at everything that he does)

German, from über over, beyond, from Old High German ubar — more at over

1 : being a superlative example of its kind or class : super- <übernerd>2 : to an extreme or excessive degree : super- <übercool>

the term "über" carries much of its English sense implying irresistibility or invincibility.

After 20 min of practicing rest assured

he now has uber bike riding skills

Thank You St Pius X

Today was Karrick's last day of preschool and his final day at St Pius X.

A bitter sweet day

My baby is going to kindergarten in the Fall and

he will be attending Pleasant Lane where Callahan

will be in the 5th grade. 

Karrick had a very positive experience at St Pius. I found the

teachers and staff to be genuinely invested in Karricks

education and well being.

Karrick won the hearts of many people. I can't count the

praises I have received on his behavior and all around

sweetness from teachers and other parents

In celebration of the last day, all 4 pre school classes had a picnic

at Madison Meadow Park

across the street

St Pius gives hardcover yearbooks in color

filled with pictures and memories

Click to inlarge

Karrick's report card reinforced his beautiful behavior

and respect that he shows for himself, teachers and fellow students

At home he can be a Dennis the Menace, and somewhat 

mouthy, which is fine.

As long as he treats everyone with kindness and respect

while out in the world; I know I'm doing my job as a parent.

Yes, he missed 52 days of school...shoot me

Karrick autograph book

Karrick's scrapbook of his year at St Pius

How he has grown...

Faces of a pitcher

TJ pitched an incredible game tonight;

the entire White Sox team really played well

Congrats guys

With my new camera and zoom lens I get to see the faces 

that he makes while pitching. Very intense and funny

 The kid has one Hell of a fast ball!

A Day at the Beach

Today was "beach day" at St Pius for the pre K4

crowd.

This was Karrick's outfit complete with a

yellow beach chair

I think he thought it was

"come as your favorite tourist" day

While the rest of the 4th grade art class made clay pots,

Callahan decided it would be much more interesting to create 

The " French Demon"

I'm so proud!

Fun in the sun McGinty style...Day 2

Karrick's friend Jillian came over

to enjoy the hot sunny weather

Karrick asked me for "that chalk that hangs"

3D...It really works!

The bigger kids came over later

The best $15 I ever spent was on this triple lane slip and slide

Boys being boys, added liquid soap

It isn't fun unless there is the fear of a broken neck

Fun in the Sun...with a garden hose

TJ's pitching lesson was canceled so he invited some friends over

for some fun in the sun. I love to watch a group of 13 year old

boys just have fun...with a garden hose, non the less

Sprinkler + trampoline = Big Fun

Never to old to play on the swing set