On Thursday evening, the final American Idol audition was from 15 year old Georgia native Lauren Alaina. Steven Tyler basically declared her a finalist. Jennifer Lopez was moved to tears. Lauren has that wonderful combination of being sincere, cute, and super talented. I also love her country flavor.
Lauren and Chris Medina are definitely my two favorites right now. Here’s Lauren’s audition (in case you missed it):
WOW.
I was watching American Idol on Wednesday and the final Milwaukee contestant was Chris Medina. Chris told the heartbreaking story about his fiancee Juliana. He is so amazing and mature for being only 26 years old. He is also the epitome of a great guy. Here’s the amazing story and his awesome audition.
Hubbie was the guest ringmaster for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that came to Jacksonville last weekend and here is the awesome shot I got of his performance:
URGH.
I really need a new camera phone. Or rather a brand new phone. I went bonkers when I heard that my provider, Verizon Wireless, was finally offering us the Apple iPhone! So I’m crossing my fingers super hard that I might actually get one for my birthday next month.
I definitely need it.
Here’s a photo of Daniel. This was his second time seeing the show. He was most interested in his lemonade and popcorn but he said he liked the bicycles on the high wire too.
And here’s Annabel with her stuffed elephant toy. (This photo turned out pretty good.)
She brought the elephant from home. We managed to pass all the crazy toy and light spinning booths without buying anything. Yahoo! This was Annabel’s very first time at the circus. She loved it. Her favorite part was seeing the elephants, of course.
I don’t like clowns. This guy came a little too close for comfort but I managed to stop hiding behind my kids long enough to snap a photo for the kiddies.
They like clowns. Well, at least right now they do.
Wait until they read It.
Seinfeld is one of my favorite television shows of all time. I’ve seen Jerry Seinfeld do his live stand up show on two different occasions and I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. He is a comedic genius.
Thank you, TV Squad, for this fun chart.
Via: Online Schools
I’m giving the new and improved American Idol an “A.” It grabbed me in the first five minutes with an exciting opening segment that reintroduced us to the brand new panel of judges: Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson. Two of those judges are the biggest rock and pop stars on the planet. Way to come back in a big way for Season 10, Idol.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
I was surprised that Steven Tyler was so soft and lovable. Aside from a few really silly (and weird) comments about some of the girls’ outfits, his critique of the contestants was thoughtful, humorous and spot on. He was not mean (it looks like no one is filling those mean shoes this season). He was honest and legitimately seemed excited by some of the kids, often banging the table to help keep beat or singing and swaying along. I loved it.
J-Lo looked amazing and I can’t even imagine how some of these kids can stand and sing in front of her after watching her in movies and on MTV all these years. She is taking on the “sweet” role but, unlike Paula, she doesn’t have big syrupy statements. Rather she talks like a caring big sister and often looked completely uncomfortable saying “no” to anyone, even the, um, BAD ones. I thought it made her real and more “Jenny from the Block” again.
Randy helps keep the American Idol as we know it in place while bringing his own producer credibility back to the panel. The Dawg actually seems more comfortable and forthcoming with his comments now that the other British guy isn’t there anymore. (Did Randy lose more weight again? He looks great.)
I’m really excited. I’m predicting a successful season, especially after checking out some of these early gold ticket holders. And with the new panel of judges, it’s looking like American Idol is back and better than ever.
Simon WHO?
I’m giving these four lovely ladies my 2011 Golden Globes Best Dressed Awards.
I know January Jones’ (Mad Men) dress was a little risque, but I think she pulled it off with her amazing figure. Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) can do no wrong. She looked amazing in that red dress. I’m usually not a big fan of what Angelina Jolie wears on the red carpet, but that sapphire green dress was a beautiful change from her black dresses. And I usually always DO love what Anne Hathaway wears and this was no exception. She looked flawless.
January Jones in Versace (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Angelina Jolie in Versace (AP)
Anne Hathaway in Armani (AP)
No! In today’s sad news department, Regis Philbin is retiring from television later this summer. He will turn 80 years old in August and I’m sure he wants to end on a high note. He is a class act and a wonderful entertainer and I just hope he will still be around on television in some capacity. I wonder what Kelly Ripa must be thinking? Who will be her new co-host next year? (Hey Kelly, how about my super talented hubbie?We’d love to come to NYC. I love Electrolux and we could have some awesome play dates with the kids. Think about it, will ya? )
Although I did love Natalie Portman’s acceptance speech for Black Swan, I have to give my favorite acceptance speech of the night nod to Chris Colfer who plays Kurt on Glee. This was Kurt’s season to shine and Chris Colfer’s supporting role win was so well deserved. Congrats!
After a great couple of days in North Carolina, we then drove 5 hours north to Maryland to the home where I grew up. We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. They are always amazed that their grand kids eat so well. (Or so much.)
The highlight was Grandma’s famous homemade spaghetti and meatballs. My mom made it for us all the time as kids growing up and it is STILL my favorite pasta dish of all time.
The kiddies had a blast playing with Grandpa in the park and reading tons of books with Grandma.
Then we were off to my sister’s house where the kiddies ran around in whatever patches of snow were left on the ground. It’s amazing to watch children play with the most random things and these cousins had a BLAST.
We also continued our tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve together. The kids party in the afternoon with lots of sparkling things and sugar. Then the adults celebrate later with lots of wine, snacks, and game playing.
That last photo was just hours before I slipped on a step going down to my sister’s basement and completely sprained my big toe. I really thought I broke it. The pain was so bad. But I could walk. Or rather LIMP around so I figured it was just a bad sprain. It’s still hurting me a little now. And NO, it was not a big drunken New Year’s Eve injury. YES, there was wine and a teeny bit of champagne, but the stairs really were a bit tricky and I did not want to turn on the light because the kiddies were fast asleep in the room downstairs. See, I really will do anything, or suffer any injury, for my family.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year! Did you know today is the very last day that I can say that? Well, according to Ryan Seacrest and his millions of Twitter followers. Yesterday he asked “what’s the expiration date on saying “Happy New Year?”
Someone replied “halfway through January.” Or January 15th.
So I’m going with that since today is January 15th. Happy New Year!
The past month has been so crazy. Some of it is still a blur and most of it is still sitting on my digital camera. Christmas morning was so much fun. It was great to be in our brand new home. (This photo could have been a potential Pottery Barn ad expect for that blue TV screen there in the corner and those wires hanging from the mantle. Maybe next year.)
The kiddies got matching Mickey Mouse Christmas “ja-mammies” (as Annabel likes to say.)
Daniel is hugging his Bumble stuffed animal. Annabel got the Clarice. They are from the special “Rudolph” set at the Build-a-Bear store. (Mama got the Rudolph because we needed the complete set. Duh.)
Here’s Daddy reading the traditional “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Santa was very good to the kiddies. They both got the number one item on their Christmas list. Daniel’s was a garbage truck.
Annabel’s was a princess tea set. Here she is serving some tea to her GG.
Then it was Christmas tree pancakes for breakfast and off to church.
(Daniel wanted to wear his tie on the OUTSIDE of his sweater vest so everyone could see it. )
Right after church we were back in our PJs drinking orange juice (kids) and mimosas (adults) and playing with all our new stuff. Cheers!
The very next morning we headed out on our week long road trip to visit family. We drove to North Carolina then up to Maryland then back to North Carolina then home to Florida. It was a whirlwind of fun, awesome food, and weird sleeping arrangements. It was snowing in South Carolina the entire first leg of our tour. Daniel asked, “Why is all that dust flying around our car?” What a Florida kid. I realized then that he had never seen snow actually FALL to the ground. He’s just seen it ON the ground. When we arrived in NC, we had the chance to run around in the cold, throw snow balls and make snow angels.
Annabel did not like the snow as much as Daniel, but she is so cute when she cries.
We had a great visit with Pop Pop and Queen which included a lot of the aforementioned eating plus lots of drinking and being merry.
Then it was off to Maryland. Part Two recap tomorrow!
We are now heading out for some antique market shopping. And when I say we, yes I mean all four of us. I figure we’ll last 20 minutes. Hopefully that will be enough time to pick up a cool mirror for our guest bath.
