Costa Rica in pictures 2

This little boy rode up and down the beach. One day he rode and picked up another boy for what looked like a play date. Always on the cushion bare footed 

Horses and dogs were everywhere

The man below said "Take my picture beautiful American woo-man"

So I took his picture

 this fellow live on the roof...he was very large

 Where I bought my cold bottle of Coke light (no diet) on the way to the beach. I think Karen and I bought out the towns Coke Light

outdoor yoga 

A puppy is play hide and go seek with it's mama

Onto the next project

Matt & Maggie - Meet & Greet/Promo Photo Shoot

The SAG paperwork came through so Matt & Maggie is ready to start filming!

TJ met his cast, writer, director and producer today for his latest project. All I can say is FUN, it was a few hours of laughter . Which is good because it's a comedy. 

TJ had a ball and can't wait to get started. In addition to adding "sitcom" to his resume he also gets to add the words "SAG Eligable". My boy just keeps booking project after project. He had to turn down another movie role and a commercial audition due to conflicts. We weren't in the door at todays meet and greet 15 min when TJ found out he that a director wants to straight book him for a short movie that will give TJ enormous exposure.

I submitted TJ for the Prom Shoppe Model Contest and he won!

Wednesday TJ is shooting the 2013 Homecoming tuxedo line for the Prom Shoppe. Can't wait to see him in a tux

The Prom Shoppe

July 17

Here they are! Meet your Homecoming 2013 Models!

Whoa- that was a TOUGH pick- we have soo many gorgeous fans! Please stay tuned and reapply for our Prom Contest! We LOVE you all and wish we could pick EVERYONE!

TJ's images will be on a mailer going to over 10,000 homes

On a crappier note, I listened to my messages today and missed 2 calls from a casting director regarding Karrick. They wanted him for a reoccuring role on Chicago fire . Since I had no cell service in Costa Rica, by the time i called back today they had to cast another boy. The director told me to get a work permit with their company ASAP and maybe they can use him as an extra as they always need kids. 

It is what it is!

Magical Costa Rica

Last night TJ and I returned from a week long stay in the jungles of Costa Rica. We stayed with my brother, sister in law, nephew and niece in the small town of Samara. My brother Jim wanted to experience as much as possible the real costa Rican life. Not a tourist trap.

He rented a home "Casa Verano" for 6 weeks at the edge of town on a block that consisted of 6 homes (3 on each side). Darling homes surrounded by beauttiful tropical plants, trees and wildlife. Howler monkeys would wake us in the early dawn hours. Our home was the last home and butted up to the jungle. At night we had a security guard posted at the entrance of our street. A large stucco wall with security gates surrounded the property.

I found the Costa Rican people to be extremely nice, happy and welcoming. Never once did I feel or see any contempt for my lack of the native language. Its a gift I will take that away with me as we have a large population on non English speaking people in the US.

I have to be honest, it took a little time to actually see the beauty that surrounds this amazing little Central American fishing town. At first I saw the poverty, but within a few hours I couldn't get enough of these wonderful people. I see how American's go there and don't come home.

My sister Christine hit the nail on the head when she described it as " Magical"

Main street our home was just behind me off of Main.

Below is our street, our home in the peach one on the right.

 TJ on the porch.To sit here in the morning all you hear are Monkeys, birds and other animals. Humming birds and butterfly's fly aound the tropical plants and flowers that cover the walls. 

 My Sweet niece Lindsay and I were roomates and partners in crime. We snuck away more than once for ice cream

this picture of TJ was shot in complete darkness at our front gate...no streetlights here

 the yard facing the pool at Casa Verano

A whole lotta stuff

I had today off from work so Karrick and I headed to Lego Discovery Center at WoodField Mall. It was really cool. We really enjoyd it.

The old man above is priceless with is black sock with sandles. I just love the fungus toe poking out from the sock. They also had a jungle-I am leaving for the jungles of Costa Rica on Saturday!

Below, Downtown Chicago is created from all Lego's the attention to detail is spectacular

Before we hit LegoLand, we had to zip by the Il Math and Science Academy to drop off a care package at the front desk. I was going to mail it yesterday but for 1-2 day delivery it was $22.50. Really up to two days? He comes home Friday, so Karrick and I dropped it off...40 min round trip.

We have not heard from Cal since the 1st night. I assume he is having a ball

By the looks of the IMSa blog pictures, there is no shortage of group activities

Cal is 1st on left in Dodgeball picture

TJ TJ TJ, started working at the law firm of Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry yesterday. He drove down and back with Tim. TJ really enjoyed it. Yesterday was office work so it was business casual. Court days will be suit and tie and IT days- jeans. 

TJ had to miss today to work his final day of filming. Only 11 hrs today. He and another actor he met from Glen Ellyn shared a cab to Ogilvie train station and rode home together.

Tomorrow TJ heads back to NBK & L. Friday he has an editorial photoshoot all day. Saturday we head out. 2 days after we return TJ starts rehearshing for his sitcom pilot. a very busy boy!

With both my teenage boys gone, Karrick has been coming to the office with me and even bootcamp today. It's nice to spend time with him, he such a cutie!

Callahan living his dream for a week

I have had the craziest last 2 weeks and Im way behind on my blog.

Yesterday, we dropped Callahan off at IMSA for a residential Energy program. There was a 90 min orientation in the lecture hall, it was pretty funny.

They started a daily blog to let us know what the kids are doing and they post pictures daily. That's my Cal in picture above. Sounds pretty cool, if  you like that stuff....I'd rather eat dirt, but it is right up Cal's alley.

Cal wants to go here for HS it's grades 10-12.

 This is the dorm they are staying in. Boys and girls are in separate wings with no access to each other. "Anyone making purple goes home" "Boys are blue and girls are red and there will be no making of purple or violet or any color in between"

 Oh Yeah we were the 1st one's there