MY THREE SONS

ADC Fierce Season 3

2016-03-01T22:38:00.000-06:00

Karrick had his dress rehearsal for his 3rd season of competitive dance at Wheaton Academy.. This year he has a duet and 3 group dances. The boy just comes alive while on stage.

This dance mom is ready to hit it

Jade, such a phenomenal dancer....love to watch her.

Would kill for those abs

Christmas 2015

2016-01-01T16:59:00.001-06:00

Christmas this year was wonderful and low key. Christmas eve as always was celebrated in Long Grove. Christmas day was at my sisters house.

I have to say it, but I believe my nephew s the cutest little boy ever created. I just love him to death. He's sweet, smart, funny and outgoing

This year Karrick wanted brain challenging puzzles and games...the kid can solve anything. Id give anything to have his brain

The Christmas season was spent together as a family. Tim and I did our annual Oak Brook Mall shopping and dinner. We got the Christmas tree, a Concord fir that has an amazing citrus smell.

Still the worlds cutest couple after 3 1/2 years!!

Karrick and my niece are one year apart and almost a foot different in height. Karrick has grown an inch in the last 2 months so Im hoping the growth spurt is around the corneer

2015 was an incredible year for us Mcgintys...lots of great stuff

I look forward to 2016 as I continue to workout, eat right and spend time with my family.

Callahan

2015-12-08T19:38:00.000-06:00

I have been meaning to update my blog for a long time, just don't think of it.

Callahan is almost 1/2 way into his Junior year and doing great. It is time to start thinking about college. The boy is being recruited hard due to taking the SATs in 8th grade.

Many of the top schools have invited him to visit and to be honest he hasn't shown much interest yet.

The US coast Guard Academy contacted us a couple times and we scheduled a visit. They were coming to Navy Pier for their annual Christmas tree event for charity and were hosting an open house on the Coast Guard Ship Mackinaw

I figured it was time for him to see what is out there in the engineering field

ChristmasTreeShipHistory

Callahan agreed to check it out.

Well the boy was in his glory. Cal is an avid boater, gifted engineer- can build or fix anything and has a passion for engines.

The Mackinaw is an ice cutter on Lake Michigan....like a giant big boy toy

It was really cool and Cal loved everything about being on the ship and

now has interest in the Academy...it has a top tier engineering program. It is also nearly impossible to get in to. It has a 16% acceptance rate...only accepts the top of the top academically and physically. You have to have a strong background in Math and Science which Cal has. He joined the health club is working out hard

We will continue to check out all Engineering Schools but in the meantime its nice to see him excited about his future

And it's on to middle school

2015-06-08T17:24:00.000-05:00

I cant believe my little boy is heading to Middle School in the Fall.

He was pretty emotional during the clapout. K-4 line the hallways while Pomp and Circumstance plays over the PA system. The 5 th graders parade through the halls while everyone claps. Once outside the kindergraten doors each 5th grader receives a balloon and they all release them together. All these kids that have been together since Kindergarten. Karrick is my only one to attend one school for k-5. He had such a great year, his confidence level has soared(I credit that to competitive dance) made great strides socially, was undefeated in chess club, blew through 8th grade math and moved onto Algebra.

My little mathematition scored a 270 on the Map Math test, 200 is average for a 5th grader. 270 is in the 98 % for a high school Sophomore. Karrick has the highest score in the history of his grammar school (that his teacher knows of)

all my little dancers

2014-11-09T12:46:00.000-06:00

I was hired by Karrick's dance studio to take individual pictures of those that wanted them from the competition team.

We got super lucky as the weekend that I shot was in the 60- 70's

The day before the shoot I went to Lilacia Park to find a new spot and scope out the sun...I was bored with the usual. I found a fantastic spot where Lilacia Park butts up to Helen Plum Library. An absolute gem

Maple Street Chapel

2014-10-19T12:23:00.001-05:00

I was hired months ago to capture a 10 act Folk concert at Maple Street chapel. It was the 30 th anniversary of folk concerts that raise money to keep this beautiful piece of history in top condition. I've never been inside the chapel before...I had no idea what I had been missing. I was in AWE. I have never been a fan of folk music....more because I've never been exposed to it. It was amazing. I loved every minute of the night.

Here are the shots of the interior.

I haven't edited the folk pictures yet

Family Day at NIU

2014-10-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend is family weekend at NIU. We picked up the boy and headed out to lunch.

After that we hit Huskie Stadium a little early to get good seats for some NIU football. It was cold, but it didn't rain or snow which we were prepared for. It was so much fun and the Huskies won 17-14 despite 3 horrendous calls that allowed Kent State to score. Huskies are 4-1 for the season!! We stayed for the whole game.

Karrick was on TV, they have a giant screen on the end zone scoreboard. Karrick was standing up on the bleacher in front of us busting out his hip hop moves and sure enough the camera was on him. We all got a kick out of it including the people behind us.

By the time the game was over it was 7:30 ish. Tim and I were almost crippled from 4 hours on bleachers. I had muscle spasms in my back...getting old is a bitch.

We dropped TJ at his dorm and headed home. As always it great to see TJ. We are thrilled that he loves NIU. He is invoked in a fraternity which is very time consuming-Argh!!

He also plays flag football once a week. He seems to be fitting in well by the number of hello's that he received while walking from his dorm to the stadium, one can only hope he is as popular with his studies

can't deny they are brothers

a little boy tired and cold warming up in TJ's dorm after game

the stadium is just beautiful and so was the sky

Fabulous at 50!!!

2014-10-04T12:02:00.003-05:00

It happened, I turned 50. A half of a century. I say 1/2 down and 1/2 to go!

I walk around daily with chronic pain in shoulder, elbow, hips, lower back and knees, but I can walk!!! Im also in better shape then I've in in a long time.

I can still wear leggings and short shorts and look cute...Ill take it!

Tim told me to keep this weekend open for a surprise. My surprise was a trip to Milwaukee. We stayed at the fabulous Iron Horse hotel. It was really cool. We spent the weekend eating, relaxing, shopping and just walking around the Historic Third Ward. We had the most amazing time and this will go down as my best birthday ever!!

plus we couldn't of asked for better weather!

Homecoming dance-still the cutest couple ever

2014-09-28T19:37:00.002-05:00

Tim and I got back from Milwaukee (birthday surprise) in time to see Cal and Katie off to homecoming...just in time. Cal was still not 100% but he showed up and suited up.

They met a bunch of friends at the dance and had a great time

Katie is timeless...grace kelly comes to mind

asking katie to homecoming

Asking Katie to Homecoming 2014

2014-09-28T19:11:00.000-05:00

Callahan missed the entire week of school due to a horrible virus. By Thursday he decided it was time to ask Katie to homecoming-2 days away. He planned it out a while ago but just wasn't bouncing back. So my sweet sick boy, 100+ tea candles, roses and candy went to Katies house and set it all up.

It went off perfectly, Katie was super surprised. They have been dating almost 2 1/2 years so she knew they were going to HC together, but with Cal sick she wasn't expecting a special asking! Cal is a true romantic and still makes things special.

Jerry, Katie's dad was drying to use his blow torch...men and gadgets.

We all hid in the backyard waiting for Katie to get home from

choir.

again...Cutest couple ever!!!!

Million dollar Smile

2014-09-17T12:03:00.001-05:00

Today Karrick got his braces off!!

At his orthodontists office they throw a little party for each kid when the braces cone off.

A bag of all the forbidden chewy sticky candy is all the rage. Since Karrick is such a rule Nazi it's an extra treat for him. He does not break the rules, so he hasn't had anything forbidden in 13 months

Luck would have it that Karrick has his 5th grade pictures next week

MaryMcgintyPhotography

2014-09-10T14:33:00.000-05:00

I had a super fun photo shoot this past weekend. An old friend from high school that I haven't seen in 32 years contacted me from Wisconsin asking if I would shoot her daughter.

Why sure!

They drove in to Lombard and away we went.

She was a cute as they come!!

Family Values Cast party, SAG foundation fundraiser

2014-09-01T21:01:00.001-05:00

Saturday morning i picked TJ up from NIU to come home for the long weekend. He had a cast function he needed to attend. "Whisk Chicago" with "Living good coffee" sponsored a party for the cast and crew of Family Values. In addition there was a SAG foundation silent auction.

Whisk just opened 2 months ago on Damen/Chicago. Oh as it good!!

Yes, TJ had to sign autographs. So weird that he is at the point of making appearances. I wont lie, I love it!

TJ with Merverth from Emurge Magaizine that did a story on Family Values. I still need to order the magazine. Jayson the creator/Star was on the cover.
FV was also featured in the Glenview newspaper

Just a fun shot of tj coming from the garden party

The boy was under the weather when I picked him up, but handled everything like a pro. He always gets sick the first weeks of school it seems

I was happy he jumped out of the car for a picture in front of cool wall. He did not feel good by the end of the party

Move in day at NIU

2014-08-24T00:28:00.000-05:00

my boy's new home

Yesterday we dropped Tj off at Northern Illinois University. We were all excited and nervous. I still cant wrap my arms around the fact that TJ is away at college.

I went 1 year at NIU , 32 years ago and my God it's a 100% different school.

TJ knows 5 or so kids from high school that are here. His good friend Jake lives in the tower next door. TJ was nervous, but excited and couldn't wait for us to get on our way home. So we left him and were home by 2 pm.....which is priceless.

I text him this morning and he assured me he was still alive...good to know. It will be an adjustment period for mom and dad. One doesn't stop being a parent just because the law recognizes our first born baby as an adult.

MY KID IS AWAY AT SCHOOL....CRAZY

TJ is living on the STEM floor of the newly renovated GN tower. The rooms are spacious and bright. Flat screen TV's are in the lounges.

A blank slate, we did buy Tj a rug but he'll have to figure out the rest

The view from TJ's window

The orange brick dorms are suites, 12 kids to a suite. 6 bedrooms and a large common living/dinning kitchen area. Another new dorm

The brand new Convocation Center house the basketball stadium and double as an entertainment venue

TJ's Hallway and elevator bank above and below are all website photos NIU

floor lounges

Not a bad laundry room on tjs floor

A website photo of the newly renovated building and cafeteria below complete with salad bars, ice cream bars, sandwich bar , pasta bar, grill and special of the day. TJ can eat in any dorm cafeteria on campus

Now that NIU has a stellar football team they have a new stadium where tj can go and WATCH the games. Those are his dorms in the bacjground

These 2 helper girls were standing there talking to TJ, so my Tim grabs the rug and a box and hands it to the girls saying "You aren't doing anything, help my boy out"

I busted out laughing as they got all giggly... so willing to help the new adorable student

Graduation/18th Birthday party

2014-08-19T23:55:00.000-05:00

Sunday we had TJ's combined Graduation-18th Birthday party. It really turned out fantastic and was a perfect way to close out the summer.

My family all came, Tim's Mom and brother, a bunch of friends, neighbors and of course at least 30 or so of TJ's friends.

I had such anxiety early on in the summer because we kind of let the yard and deck go when TJ got injured 3 years ago. I wasn't sure there was enough time to pull it off. After the premiere of Family Values and dance Nationals we got to work

Again, not a ton of different pictures besides my deck. I really wanted group shots of TJ and friends but that never happened.

The deck looked absolutely amazing...almost impossible to capture the jest of it all.

After family and friends left it was just Tj and his friends. They had 2 bonfires going and stayed out til the wee hours of the morning. I woke up to a basement full of sleeping teens.

Tj said after spending this last night with all his friends (they were inseparable all summer going from graduation party to graduation party June-August) he said he is now ready to go to college and begin his studies!!!!

Friday we take him to NIU!! TJ is living on the newly renovated...amazing!!! STEM floor. He will be with all the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math students. They have their own IT lab and tech support. The rooms are incredible as is the entire tower.

Just Love and adore my baby Winter...just a sweet cutie!!!

Katie and Juliette...exchange student from France that was here for 6 weeks. Spent only 3 of those with Katie's family

lots of volleyball

We literally have the best deck and yard for parties but never have them...weird

My candy buffet

I ran out of stain (a 5 gallon drum) and time...still need to do both sets of stairs and the majority of spindles. I really cant believe people pay to have this done. Thos deck would be thousands to stain professionally.

My joke: "What does a professional strainer and Mary McGinty have in common?"

'Neither of us has a Harvard Degree!"

Karrick does this crazy fast finger clap, it's really fast and the camera picked it up

The deck really looked cute, without the flash it was pitch dark. We dont have alley's so no street lighting in back...just bump up to neighbors which is much safer because there is no way for anyone to get in

Family Values Premiere

2014-08-07T19:00:00.000-05:00

12 foot banners adorned the hallways and ballromm

After close to a year of filming the big night was finally here. The Family Values cast, family members, actors agents, press, casting agents and friends gathered at the Ravenswood Event Center for a screening of the pilot.

Tj had to be there early to meet with press and do interviews. After a morning battling nerves TJ handled all of it with grace and ease. My father and some close friends were able to come and support TJ

TJ's agent and owner of his agency Lily Liu (Lily's Talent Agency) came to support Family Values

Tim and I with TJ...we were one set of proud parents. It was great to see TJ work a room. He represented Family Values like a pro, mingling with guests, press and the who's who of the Chicago acting world. All his years of auditioning has paid off as he was at home with all these important strangers

We are at that point that our son dwarfs us

My boy can wear a set of clothes....no one should look that good

The cast with Rob Johnson of CBS News who mc'd the event. There was also nice coverage of the show and event on the 10 pm news

TJ and I with FV hair and makeup artist Joesph Robert. He has kept everyone looking beautiful and entertained during 12-16 hr days on the set

Cutest couple Callahan and Katie

True to form with Karrick as he always gravitates to the hot girls

If there's a chance to photobomb...he takes it.

I really didn't take many pictures which seems to be happening quite a bit lately...photo burnout I think?

Tim and I took none on the red carpet or with TJ in front of the FV banner.

Not 1 shot with my dad who at 77 years of age drove from the south suburbs to the north side of Chicago

A great night was had by all, the pilot was a hit...left me wanting to see more!!!

Jayson the creator, producer and star of FV was summoned to LA to meet with 2 distributors interested in the series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just a few days after the party!

workin

2014-08-04T13:32:00.002-05:00

A big week for Tj

Exclusive talent LTA

2014-07-16T20:52:00.000-05:00

above Hump Day photo by me

Today TJ and I headed downtown to Lily's Talent Agency to sign his exclusive contract and drop off a disk of his new pictures.

Life will be easier with just one agency...Tj's main focus needs to be school, but it's nice that NIU is only 40 min away so he can drive in to work

Our dear friend Steven Palm was in town and took Tj on a photo shoot downtown.

TJ drove himself down and just him and Steven hit the streets. Amazing that in a blink of an eye the kid is all grown up.

I really really love the photos....Tj really looks like a model

Our 9 days on the Jersey Shore

2014-07-16T09:25:00.001-05:00

We just spent 9 days on the Jersey Shore with 80 plus dancers and parents.

Karrick and I stayed in a quaint little motel across the street from the beach.

The week was spent hanging out with friends at the pool, beach, water park, amusement park and arcades

Karrick danced a total of 4 times in 3 days, so we had a lot of vacation time.

They did great taking 1st place in 2 hip hop routines in their division and a 3rd place over-all.

"How We Do" was chosen to compete in the special Saturday battle rounds. They didn't place but it was a huge honor for these kids

ADC seems to have the largest group of boy dancers that I've seen so far. They work well together due to the family mentality and non-stop group outings throughout the year. They have become a tight group of kids and it's reflected on stage

My first year as a competitive dance mom have been great. We have a great group of moms that really care about all the kids

Karrick was chosen to receive the award for Showtime. They pick a dancer after the routine that they feel 'brought it" up on stage to accept the award. Well Karrick was thrilled to be chosen. It also meant he would be in charge of that trophy until it is safely turned over to the studio for display back in lombard. Needless to say the cute little blond boy dancer received a lot of attention going through the airport

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my Dance mom role and cant wait to continue.

Karrick just love dancing and has really come a long way this year

Our retro motel played Casey Kasem countdown from the 70's. Brought me right back to summer's at our local pool 40 years ago

Can you tell where I missed with the sunscreen?

A private catered lunch on the pier

National Dance Competition

2014-07-14T09:34:00.001-05:00

Karrick and I just got home from 9 glorious days in Wildwood NJ. We went with his dance team 84 kids and their parents.

Below is a video that a fellow dance mom made

National Dance Competition

Such a Fun fun week!

2014-06-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

TJ has a new hair style. Just when you thought he couldn't be any more good looking. Love the short cut. Im really over the longer hair. TJ had 2 auditions, one independent movie and 1 independent TV series. Both called for 18 and over. He was offered a smaller featured extra part in the movie (they called him to audition for the lead, a nerd but said he looked too cool) which we declined because it was a SAG project and 1 more SAG and he will be required to join the union at 3K. If he has to join SAG it has to be a worth it role financially. The TV series he is still waiting to hear. It's a gritty underworld crime series and Im not sure he is old enough. Still have hope...it's also a non-union role, so anything they would offer would be great!

I received a call today from TJ's agent, after 5 years they want him to be exclusive, so we will honor that. My guess is he is turning 18 and an entire new world of opportunity will open up for him. The magical age where you are an adult on the set, in addition to getting a lot of attention in the acting world and lets be honest he is freaking beautiful. They are his Mother Agency and signed him on 1st 5 years ago. He is with 2 other agencies but we will opt out

This past week was just a ton of fun. It totally felt like summer to me. Having a 5 day weekend helped.

Karrick's best friend Ryan moved to Arizona 2 years ago and comes back to visit every year. Karrick could barely control his excitement. Ryan stays with us for 2 days and they pick up right where they left off.

Karrick had a dress rehearsal for his Dance recital and Ryan came to watch and was able to see Karrick hip hop!

Karrick also had pictures for tech classes-recital. (non competition routines)

I took a bunch after out in the parking lot. Karrick is so happy when he is dancing.

This summer for intensive he starts new classes: break dancing, funk tap and contemporary in addition to hip hop , turns and tumbling

Saturday was recital...I didn't take any pictures.

Sunday Karrick and I went with a dance mom and dance friends to the Lyric Opera to see

Flying Bach

It was fantastic! It is great for Karrick to see men (break) dancers. It's great to see the result of hard work and what you can achieve if you take the turns, contemporary and tumbling classes etc. I keep telling karrick "look at the big picture". He isn't a fan of tumbling because he totally lacks upper body strength.

In time I tell him

Fun fun week!

We leave for the Nationals Sat, just Karrick and I. We are heading to the Jersey Shore with his team for 9 days

My little man is looking pretty cute!

Two blissful years

2014-06-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

Callahan and Katie are celebrating their 2 year anniversary today.

Hard to believe they have been together since the age of 13

To celebrate they are having dinner at Wildfire in Oak Brook, then seeing a movie. They even have their own chauffeur . No, TJ isnt joining them for dinner or the movie

My teens

2014-06-17T20:10:00.001-05:00

Last week TJ finally got his license!

It's so nice to have another driver in the house.

Callahan started drivers ed yesterday so next free day we will get his permit!!

Callahan has actually been driving stick since age 12.

He and his friends come home with all sorts of garbage. A broken weed whacker, and now we are up to 3 broken battery operated kid cars.

The jeep above, Cal fixed the wires and attached an old BMW battery and now it works. He is fixing the weed whacker motor and will attached it to a big buster battery operated Escalade.

He has already fixed a gas street bike and then bought it off his friend.

I more often then not have a driveway full of Cals best buddies all tinkering around with engines etc

I was told by an educator from IMSA that most of the worlds greatest innovators started out as tinkerers. At Cals rate....

so far this isn't anything the boy can not fix. That skill will carry him through life in any field he chooses

winding down

2014-06-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

TJ had his last day of high school April 28th. He officially graduates June 7th

It is the strangest feeling that your son is done with school...done done. This last week he and his buddies have been bike riding, playing basketball, going out to eat and late nights hanging out wherever.

Two and a half months of freedom...to just chill and revel in the summer that is after high school before college. I can't even believe College is here. It's so exciting to hear where everyone is going. I ask all his friends when they come over.

St Ambrose, U of I, Columbia, Western and Univ of CO, Boulder are where his close buds are going

TJ is set for NIU, aced his Math and Chemistry placements tests. Can go straight to second semester sophomore levels for both. Still waiting on English results.

Im so excited for TJ to just enjoy the summer and work of course.

Sunday TJ filmed the final scenes for "Family Values" We used a private to home to shoot in. The homeowner the sweetest lady ever at 94 yo, sat me down in her living room and told me all about her son that lives in LA. She spoke as though we had been friends forever. It was lovely, just lovely. She shared so much of her knowledge of the business with me.
It's surreal that all this is happening If it goes no further I w'll still feel honored to have been a part of it all. What a ride....fun and exciting. Have met some amazing people along the way. I am beyond thrilled for TJ. He is so not affected and nonchalant about it all. Might as well be going to McDonalds to flip burgers. He did say "Mom, she told me I was just beautiful" all shy like he's never heard it before. It was cute

Oh, her son? I'm sorry
Armyan Bernstein

/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0077000/

I got nothin

2014-05-08T09:29:00.003-05:00

but a super sweet cute kitten