Lily Meets Her American Idol

Lily has become a big fan of American Idol  because of one performer. Hollie Cavanaugh, a young singer from McKinney and a former Glen Oaks Elementary Tiger, made it to the Top 4 this season. To Lily's surprise, Hollie made a visit to Glen Oaks yesterday. She came to talk to the kids at an assembly.

Lily got to meet her American Idol face to face. Hollie not only posed for this adorable picture, but she also gave Lily a hug and signed her yearbook. It was all Lily could talk about when I met her for lunch yesterday. And that smile on her face has been just as big as it is in the picture!

Lily was most excited because Hollie recognized her from the parade. Apparently, when Lily told Hollie that she loved seeing her in the parade last Saturday, Hollie said, "I remember you because you were holding that awesome sign that said 'Hollielujah'!" She just made my little girls year!

Hollie will be part of the American Idol tour this summer, and is obviously very busy. So, it was a wonderful treat to have her give a bit of her time to these kids who admire her so much.

Lily has struggled with "mean girl drama' lately at school. It is something we all have to endure at one point or another as we grow up. But, the past few weeks have been really hard for her and we have seen lots of tears. Yesterday morning, as Marty rode the train to work, he prayed for God to bring someone special into Lily's day...someone to lift her spirits. Boy Howdy! Did He ever?!

We are thankful for God's beautiful surprises and for Hollie Cavanaugh's kind sacrifice of her time. She will always be Lily's American Idol.

Jack's 8th Grade Graduation

On Tuesday evening, we celebrated all Jack has achieved at Dowell Middle School.

 It has been a great three years, and Jack has grown up so much during his time there. We are so proud of him and know he will do great things next year at Boyd High School.

Jack graduated with honors and received the Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence.

He has made many memories and has so many awesome friends!

Next year, Jack will become a Boyd Bronco as he continues to work
towards his goal of becoming an attorney.
Congratulations, Jack!

We love you and we are so proud of the man you are becoming.

Ladybug Fun

The Ladybugs had a very competitive season this spring. They moved into the top league with the McKinney Soccer Association and played some tough competitors. The girls have played tough and now it's time to celebrate.

The Ladybugs had fun swimming together at their trophy party.

Sofie and Sophie...friends on and off the field. Such sweet girls!



Anticipating Coach Jeff handing out the trophies.

Congratulations Little Bug!  We are so proud of you!

Go Ladybugs!!

Hollie Cavanaugh Day

We have never watched a single season of American Idol, until now. This season, my girls were captivated by Hollie Cavanaugh, one of the top 4 finalists.

 Not only is Hollie a McKinney girl, but also, she attended Glen Oaks Elementary.  The whole school was cheering her on as she made her way through the competition.

Each week, we watched faithfully and our two little "HolliePops" cheered for their favorite Glen Oaks Tiger from our living room. We even bought "HolliPops" in downtown McKinney in support of Hollie's favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Today, was declared "Hollie Cavanaugh Day" in McKinney. We went to  her Homecoming concert and parade in downtown McKinney and had a ton of fun.

Lily woke up at 6:15 this morning so she would have time to make this poster and not be late for the parade. She even wore pink because it is Hollie's favorite color. I guess you could say she was just a little excited!

Our HolliePops waited patiently while Daddy and Jack went to find us the perfect spot to see their favorite American Idol.

Chocolate ice cream cones helped make the time pass a bit more quickly as we waited for the parade to begin.

We bumped into one of Sofie's soccer buddies at the parade and they had fun making posters before it started.



Here she comes!

Hollie Cavanaugh...McKinney's American Idol, and a fabulous role model for my sweet girls.

After the parade, we enjoyed a short concert. Hollie sang several songs from American Idol, including Lily's favorite..."Bleeding Love".



While Lily took in every moment of the concert,

Sofie enjoyed the opportunity to help baby McKenna with her bottle.

As Lily would say..."Hollielujah" for great role models. Congratulations Hollie Cavanaugh!

Antennas Up!

The Ladybugs finished off the spring soccer season by playing in their first ever soccer tournament.  They played 3 games this weekend and did a great job!

Sofie had a minor injury on her right foot. She is left footed so she still managed to score 4 goals for the team. Go Little Bug!  In between games, I gave her LOTS of TLC. She is such a tuffie!

Sofie is so proud of her medal!

"Antennas Up!"

Great Job, Ladybugs!

Pinkalicous The Musical

Yesterday was a very exciting day. After competing at Mock Trial, Jack performed in "Pinkalicious, The Musical", a Dowell Middle School theater production. As usual, he was in his element on the stage. Over 300 people attended opening night. What a successful evening it was for our young actor!

 

"Our daughter is PINK!  How did this happen?"

 A father's work is never done.

 "She has a serious case of Pink-Itis. The cure...green foods!"



Taking his bow...

The curtain call. Bravo!

Sofie insisted on having a picture with her bro...all by herself!

 She adores him and that makes my heart smile.

We are so proud of our star!

Here are some more scenes from the show!

Mr. Pinkerton arrives home from work and finds his daughter, Pinkalicious, is crazy about pink cupcakes!

The doctor explains to the concerned parents that their daughter has a serious case
of Pinka-titis!

"No more pink foods, Pinkalicous!"

Pinkalicious learns her lesson. Well, sort of.

Mock Trial 2012

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to seek justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God"-Micah 6:8

Every year, the G/T ELAR class competes in Mock Trial. It is a very large event where area schools present a court case at the Collin County Courthouse and win points for their case presentations. Jack was appointed as a lawyer in this year's Mock Trial and he did an amazing job!

When Jack walked out of his room dressed in his suit, the girls told him he was a sharp dressed man. I think the exact words they used were "hunka, hunka!" I couldn't believe how old he looked all dressed up! When did he start looking more like a man than a boy?

The girls gave him a kiss for luck before Jack left for competion!

Serious strategizing over lunch aka Tic-Tac-Toe!

He looked right at home in the courtroom...

Jack was awarded "Oustanding Advocate". We are so proud! This experience has been wonderful for our J-Man. We celebrated his big day by going out to dinner at his favorite restaurant, Uncle Julio's. He announced at dinner that he is now considering law for his future occupation. I think he was born to be in a courtroom. Time will tell, but today, we celebrate one more step into manhood. Whatever you become, Jack, you will have a proud family.