Birthday's in Long Grove

Yesterday we headed to Long  Grove to celebrate Karrick's and Grandpa Charlie's birthday's

They both turned 7... 7 and 7 with a 3 after it

Karrick got 2 new LEGO sets...to him it's like winning the lottery

 I gave him a big ball...a $2.50 ball (TJ picked it out). I will be damned if that boy didn't sit bounce roll toss bang and catch that ball for hours and hours

 Grandpa got a toy too

I absolutely love this picture of grandma giving Patrick a treat....love the front and background colors 

Tomorrow is Karrick's actual birthday and that will conclude this March month of celebrating. By the end of March, I'm done, so freakin done!  3 birthdays (4 if you count Patrick) and mine and Tim's wedding anniversary. Too much! We are free until the end of August (TJ's birthday)

my indoor garden

So, I bought some seeds, planted them in little pods and covered them with plastic wrap. In less than 2 weeks I have different sprouts at different stages. The first 2 rows from the left are watermelon, the middle 2 rows are tomatoes and the final 2 rows are green pepper and bell pepper. They are growing so fast that I will have to bury my pods in a larger container of soil.

I see cool photographs in almost everything I look at. I see light at different angles...they just pop out.I have been commissioned for my first professional job in July. A  outdoor family portrait with people coming from all over, as far away as Arizona. I am excited and terrified at the same time. People have been telling me I should try to go professional for a long time...we will see

Enjoy a few shots from my little indoor garden. I believe the background is as important as the subject..I love colors and shadows

Another great party for Karrick

We celebrated Karrick's 7th birthday last night at  Xtreme Trampolines next door in Carol Stream. It is the only one in the state of IL as of now. 15 of Karrick's closest buds, plus TJ , Cal and their 2 pals ran jump and flipped the night away. TJ's first baseball game was cancelled due to bad weather and he rocked his audition during the day

Karrick's actual birthday is next week during Spring break, but the center expects giant crowds based on Christmas break. XT has been open for only 4 months and it is a gold mine.

Mon-Wed are the least crowded night...I had concerns about a school night party, but every kid replied yes. These kids had so much fun that it was impossible to get them to come eat pizza and we had to do cake when the party ended at 7:30 while the parents were there. They wanted to keep playing after 2 hrs of jumping

This morning one of the teachers came out to say "I hear Karrick's party was a huge success, it was the talk in the classroom all morning"   Whoops....

She had a little smile on her face.

The foam pit was the little kids favorite...it was a little challenge for the kids to climb out, but they succeeded . Chase, below stopped my heart for a minute...

6 of the party guests in at the same time

 Dodge ball was also a big hit...did you know that every little boy ran up to me with giant eyes saying "I was the last one in, in dodge ball" followed by their own play by play narrative. 

Here is my little Karrick with 2 girls on each side. He can't decide with twin he should marry

They had 3 open tramp floors...ages 3-7, 8-13 and 14 and up. 1 foam pit and one large dodge ball tramp area

As always Karrick had very concrete ideas of what his cake should look like...we finally found and printed out a picture and brought it to the bakery to duplicate. We than bought 4 Lego racers to put on the track...I think Karrick duped me into buying the Lego cars

Karrick and pals in line for the foam pit

Dodge ball was multi-age and we didn't break anyone :)

TJ made the high school A baseball team

Today TJ was informed that he made the "A" team for Glenbard East's Freshman Baseball team...was I surprised?...No....was I worried sick for the last month...Yes

Time to sit back and relax...never in this house!

TJ's 1st game is Wednesday at 4:30... of course it is, you want to know why?

because Karrick's 7th birthday party is Wednesday at 5:30...sure the Hell is

18 kids are coming to Xtreme Trampolines in Carol Stream. Tim will go to the game.

Oh, but that's not all...it never is

Today TJ's agent called....he has a commercial audition Wed at 3:00.....downtown

Aarrgh!

I explained about the birthday party and asked if there was anyway we could get an earlier call time. I would gladly pull TJ out of school early on that day, because I am only 1 person. Thank God we were able to get a 12:15 call...whew! Just enough time to shoot downtown, audition, get home in time to pick up Karrick from school at 3:15, get his cake and get ready to head to Carol Stream for the party....Whoops, and get TJ to his game of course. At least A team plays at home on Wed...B is away

I really need TJ to book this commercial because it shoots in Orlando... Hot sunny Orlando...I really need to go to Orlando...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET TJ BOOK THIS JOB....FOR ME, FOR MY SANITY

It's a 3 day shoot and I'm sure 85 games will be scheduled for those 3 days...I'm not even going to look at the schedule

It is suppose to rain on Wednesday....wouldn't that be nice..huh huh :)

Than TJ can go to his brothers party and I can go to TJ's first high school game of his life the next week 

By the way we had to turn down the callback for the Columbia College movie...TJ would not be able to commit 100% 

Karrick's project

It is that time in the 1st grade when the kids have to do their first oral "how to" presentation. Karrick's presentation is "How to build a Lego car" On Friday he will have to stand in front of the class and explain the steps without reading it off of his poster board.

Karrick took the final picture (completed car) all by himself using my Canon SLR. He takes his time...moving in and out until he sees the shot...I think we may have a budding photographer

By the way, a few months back, Karrick announced "I am now KJ (karrick james)"

Awe...

TJ ans his girlfriend Alexis are about the cutest dang thing ever! I love the fact that they can sit here forever and all you hear is laughter...their personalities really compliment each other

As I was out taking pictures of last nights spectacular moon they came out to join me. I snapped some candid shots of their ease together as TJ decided to run around while giving Alexis a piggy back ride. A couple of the pictures are a little blurry due to having the zoom lens on 

Glenbard East Rams basketball team advance to State

For the 1st time in 47 years our Rams basketball team qualified for the State Championship to be held Friday and Saturday in Peoria. Our mighty Rams traveled to Northern Illinois University last Friday for the Super-Sectionals and defeated Aurora East...quite the upset I might add

Today there was a pep-rally and tomorrow an early dismissal is in place. Buses filled with GEHS fans are leaving the school to travel together to Peoria. All Friday Saturday Sports have been cancelled

GOOD LUCK GUYS!

GO RAMS!!

!

Callahan's 12!

12 years ago, 10:20 am a special boy was born. 

 Callahan Patrick McGinty turned 12 today

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy.

Callahan is a very sweet, funny, sensitive and somewhat mischievous little boy.

Having him in our lives is one of God's greatest gifts.

I honestly believe he was put on this earth to do great things.

Callahan was born with an incredible near genius mind with a dream of being a great physicist 

\

6 years old

and today a  5' 4 inch 12 year old

Happy Birthday to our sweet baby/big boy

Love, Mom, Dad, TJ and Karrick

Man of the Year

Friday night we attended an awards dinner for ILCA or Illinois Landscape Contractors Association where my father in law was awarded "Man of the Year" for his excellence in tree and grass care.

When I got home from work Friday, Tim looked at me kinda funny and said "I forgot to tell you..."

You know how us gals love a good "get dressed in your Sunday best, surprises". It was a lovely evening and the food was incredible

In 1955, McGinty Bros, Inc was established by Charlie and his late brother John.Today the company provides total tree care, lawn spraying, hydroseeding, prairie seeding, mulching and natural area restoration.

Charles P. McGinty is Founder and President of McGinty Bros., Inc. Professional Lawn and Tree Care.

McGinty established the company in 1955 with the goal of providing his clients with the very best in lawn and tree services.  To reach this lofty standard, Mr. McGinty has always made it a priority to employ well-educated, professionally trained, and deeply motivated individuals who share his conviction and vision.  In his eyes, these people remain the key to his company’s success.

Mr. McGinty continues to personally oversee the company’s direction, and he is the driving force behind its well-deserved reputation as a premier source of tree service and professional lawn care.  In addition, he directs all aspects of strategic planning, which has enabled the company to remain at the forefront of the industry.  Mr. McGinty takes great pride in investigating and adopting up-to-the minute changes in equipment and execution, and he keeps his staff fully educated and informed.  “Our McGinty team uses the latest technology – coupled with environmentally friendly products – which allow us to complete every one of our projects safely and responsibly.”

Together with his son, Brian, Mr. McGinty also oversees the company’s daily operations, insuring that production efficiency and cost-effective management of its resources coincide with the organization’s uncompromised standards of quality and service.

During his 54-year tenure, Mr. McGinty has acquired hands-on work experience with every facet of his company, including tree trimming and hydro-seeding as well as sales and management.  Despite his active role, Mr. McGinty eagerly shares his success.  “My greatest professional accomplishment is the McGinty team.  We have assembled an extraordinary group of qualified, dedicated, and hard working individuals who truly love and respect this industry.”

from company website

In the early days McGinty Bros was based in the McGinty  home, where Lori (Tim's mom) ran the office

Guess who keeps that important ivy looking spectacular?

This is the office staff that keep all running like clock work. Tim's brother Brian is President of McGinty Bros

My big eyed baby boy

Movie or baseball career?

I have been in a panic lately, with a few full blown anxiety attacks. I have crazy dreams and wake up a few times a night. Why, you ask?...entirely too many things are starting to come together for my TJ, It's all good things and as parents we want our kids to have it all, but no matter which way I add it up I'm coming up short.

TJ has been waiting a long time to play high school ball...well, he got the chance. TJ officially made the team on Thursday. We won't find out if it is the A or B team for 3 more weeks. Ordinarily, it wouldn't matter

but...

This semester TJ took Intro to Drama to fulfill an easy elective requirement. Turns out it is his favorite class and he really wants to join drama and be in the school play. He is playing baseball, so he will have to wait until next winter, when football is over. He is also thinking about drama in college in addition to baseball and pre-med...whatever...

Last April Lily's Talent signed TJ in anticipation of him growing and being an adult model for them. TJ waited very patiently for almost a year watching Callahan book job after job. Last month TJ had 2 movie auditions at Columbia college...one of them he received a callback and made it to the final 2...we really thought he booked it, but the casting director said, and I quote:

"While TJ is exceptionally talented, the director feels that he isn't quite ready for the role of "Garrett."

We really appreciate the time you spent bringing him to the audition and I hope that I can keep his head shot and resume in my files so that I can email you about any further work I feel he might be interested in'

I think it came down to experience, TJ just doesn't have enough...yet

.. A week ago TJ had an another audition at Columbia by the same director for a different movie. Plus, this week his agent called to say TJ was one of 3 boys from Lily's that was chosen to audition for a NBC Pilot called REM starring Jason Isaacs.(click on REM to go to Jason page then click on REM in pre production, then click on 9 news articles to see plot) If he got the show, they would fly us to LA to shoot the Pilot over spring break. If the pilot got picked up TJ would have a recurring role...in LA.

My fear was "Holy crap, what if he got it"

not "ah, he won't get it"

See now where the anxiety kicks in? I do have a job and 2 other kids. Tim works many hours.

Scale pay for this would cover 4 years of college.

TJ had the audition on Thursday, for REM he feels he did well. there were probably 12 teens total auditioning. No info was given and no callback dates posted....so we are in limbo.

Jump to TJ making the baseball team....honestly if A or B were chosen that would help with all these decisions...except LA...he would go to LA.

Yesterday, I received an email from the director from Columbia college saying " We would like to see TJ next Saturday at 2 pm (TJ got a callback)...memorize 4 new pages of script"...movie will shoot around spring Break and the week after.

Baseball practice- Mon-Fri 7-9pm and 1-3 on Saturday's.

With a freaking pounding heart yesterday , I emailed the director from Columbia asking for the schedule of practice times as I needed to make sure TJ can commit 100% to the movie with baseball.

I honestly expected a "we'll call you for the next movie when TJ isn't in sports"

NOOOO, I got a nice reply saying "it shoots around spring Break and we will fit in the rehearsals around the 2 main characters schedules....Aarrgh! TJ being a main character (potentially)

We should say "No" to the movie, but here is my selfish thinking. 24 kids tried out for baseball...3 were not good and should have been cut. They kept all 24 to have 2 full teams.(very low turnout) TJ is battling one other boy for A team short stop...only 1 will get it and the other will go to B.

If 100 kids tried out and they took the top 24 A/B team....who cares? But a B team with 3 crappy players...is a crappy team. I'm just being honest here.

See my "stuck in limbo" predicament? Do we turn down callback? and hope he gets on A? Do we commit to both and them plunge a knife in my chest if the pilot pans out after committing to Columbia and baseball?

Of, course non of this is life or death, but each choice can alter his future, Not to mention I don't want to burn any bridges for TJ

TJ is a very talented actor we are finding out....coincidently in the pilot and the Columbia college movie TJ would play a teenager that just lost his mom. He almost had me in tears when we did lines. He can make his voice crack and he can cry on cue.

There are just too many "What if's" here

Aarrgh!!!

My TJ, a Glenbard East Baseball playing Ram

Congratulations to my #18

TJ is officially a member of the Glenbard East Rams Baseball Team

Glenbard East High School Baseball try outs

It all started here at Maple Park, a little boy threw on sun glasses and picked up a bat and hasn't put it down yet

TJ started playing baseball in kindergarten at age 5 in Oak Park. He put his mitt on the wrong hand, wore soccer cleats and didn't know the game.  TJ got up every morning before school, went in the back yard and hit ball after ball off the tee. Every spare moment was spent playing baseball...TJ was determined. That first year he won the sportsmanship award and was nicknamed Hollywood because he was stuck in right field and had to wear sun glasses to see the ball

By age 6 he was an All-star, by age 8 he was playing 8U travel.

TJ continued to play in-house, travel and Fall ball every year. In the winter he takes private pitching lessons.

That little boy is now a big boy, 14 years old and trying out for the Freshman Baseball team. Try-outs are everyday this week Mon-Fri from 7-9 pm. His week consists of school, homework, dinner and baseball. He is tired, but still gives 100%. So far he feels good about his performance. He said the coach pulled him aside and told him he was doing a great job. Nothing in high school is a guarantee and I am making sure TJ takes nothing for granted. Michael Jordan didn't make his sophomore basketball  team

There is an A and  B team. TJ said he doesn't care which team he gets on, he just wants to play ball, which shows me he is playing for the right reason...for the love of the game.

I honestly can't imagine him not making either team, but things happen

Good Luck to my little man