Jonas Brothers World Tour

Daddy and Mary Conlee went on a road trip. Their destination? Birmingham, Alabama to see the Jonas Brothers in concert. I didn't go to a concert until my freshman year in high school to see INXS. Judd said his first concert was John Cougar Mellencamp in middle school. Mary Conlee is a mere 6 1/2 years old and this was her second concert to attend-- the first being Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. The JB were the opening act at Hannah's concert, so we knew what to expect. There is nothing louder than than the high-pitched screams of thousands of little girls. Judd said it was the loudest thing he's ever heard!

The best part for Daddy was the pitstop to none other than...Milo's! I sent my camera with them and he made sure to capture that particular memory. After MC talked her Daddy into buying a few Jonas Brothers souvenirs, they made their way to the seats. Jordin Sparks from American Idol fame was supposed to open for the JB, but wasn't there due to an illness. Instead, they were entertained by Honor Society and Wonder Girls. As soon as the Jonas Brothers came up from below the stage, MC stayed in a trance the entire concert. She used her light stick throughout the evening and Judd enjoyed how she matched her light's color to the ones they used on stage. She mouthed most of the words to each song and managed to let out a scream or two in between. A trampoline, fire hoses (a sensitive subject matter for the city of Birmingham back in the 60's), and a rain shower entertained the audience. Both Daddy and MC thought the coolest special effects were when the water came down from the ceiling shaped like hearts, the JB logo, and a silhouette of the boys. Mary Conlee says that Kevin remains her favorite Jonas Brother, but she enjoyed the music and entertainment of all three of them! Just knowing that her best buddy, Katelyn, along with her mom and sister, were on the other side of the coliseum enjoying the same concert made it extra special for Mary Conlee. On the way back to Tupelo, MC slept on a pallet in the back seat, made especially by her Daddy. Thanks, Judd, for making this night so special for our little princess.

 
Heading out

 
"Everybody goes to Milo's!"

 
Jonas Brothers groupie!

 
Rockin' out

 
Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas

 
The 3-part stage was so cool!

 
Getting down with the bros

 
High in the sky...so neat!

 
My piano teacher, Sadie Murray, would not believe that anybody could disrespect a piano in such a way as this!

 
Letting the fire hoses out...good thing it was just soap and water. Katelyn said they got soaked!

 
"Just singing in the rain"

 
Kevin and some of the special effects

 
Just a few of the screaming fans

 
Gotta love 'em




Nick on the ivories


MC's favorite song, "Lovebug" (Notice the shapes and words in the rain)

School Rules!

On Friday, we had no trouble getting Cole or Mary Conlee to wake up. They were so excited about their first day of school. It was bittersweet because they aren't going to be at the same school this year. There was something so sweet about them getting to see each other throughout the day. It will be 2 more years until they are in school together again!

Mary Conlee was so excited about being a big first grader! She was more excited about getting to her room to catch up with Katelyn and Dalton. Judd and I watched as she hung her backpack up and headed for her table. She looked like a pro at this! No time for tears as we had to scoot across town before the Lawndale tardy bell rang. Thinking back to Cole's "first days of school" in the past, gone are the smocked John Johns and appliqued outfits he once wore. Today, my third grader wore gym shorts and a t-shirt to his first day of school-- keeping in line with Field Day at Lawndale. What a great way to start off the year!

 
Our first grader!

 
Heading to my class

 
Ready to work!

 
Our 3rd grader!

 
The Chik-Fil-A cow brought a yummy breakfast to school today!

Earlier in the week, I went back through the "back to school" pictures starting with Calvary Preschool. Sometimes I really miss those days and wonder how we got here so fast! After waiting in horrendous carpool lines at BOTH schools, I was glad to get my babies in the car and find out about their day. It was great to hear them share with each other stories about their first day at school. I will cherish these sweet moments forever!

 
Cole's 2 year old Calvary Preschool class with Miss Robyn and Miss Sissie

 
Snacktime has always been MC's favorite part of school! Miss Robyn's Twos

 
Getting ready for Miss Tina's 3's with my monogrammed bag!

 
Cole in Miss Kevin Ann's four year old class

 
Miss Kevin Ann's Fours!

 
Kindergarten bound!

 
First grade rules!

 
Our Parkway Kindergartener and 2nd grader!

Here We Go Again!

Last night we visited both Parkway and Lawndale for their Open Houses. I can't believe I will be running between two schools this year! Cole was excited to walk the halls of his new school. The layout of the school is identical to that of Parkway, so hopefully we won't get lost! We saw many familiar friends and met several new faces. Cole is ready to make the big move even if his Mommy and Daddy aren't! We found Ms. West's room and he was so glad to see his buddy, Jackson, seated in a desk right next to his. The best part of all...Ms. West is a former Parkway teacher so we already knew her. This is going to be a great year!

 
Welcome to Lawndale

 
Me on the map!

 
The hallowed halls of Lawndale

 
Finding my room

 
My 3rd grade teacher, April West

Next, we braved through the rain and school traffic to go to Parkway. Mary Conlee is thrilled to have Mrs. Marlin, just as Cole did in 1st grade. And best of all--Katelyn and Dalton are at her table. How could life get any better? MC loved her room and said, "Mommy, can you believe I'm going to be a first grader?" It's almost impossible to imagine, but it's true! After visiting MC's new room, we had to pay visits to all the "old" teachers, Mrs. Farned and Mrs. Godwin. They will all hold a special place in our hearts. We are going to enjoy the last two days of rest, relaxtion, and sleeping late before school begins on Friday. Are we ready for this? You bet!

 
Mrs. Marlin's 1st grade class

 
I love this place!

 
My 1st grade teacher, Georgia Marlin

 
Catching up with Makayla

 
Dalton, Mary Conlee, Cole and Taylor love their present (and former) teacher!

 
We are both Farned Kindergarten alums!

 
Cole wouldn't leave Parkway without getting a hug from 2nd grade teacher, Laine Godwin

Monster Idol

Both Cole and Mary Conlee participated in the Tupelo Community Theater's Summer Youth Camp. This was Mary Conlee's first time to attend. Cole was an old pro, this being his third. This year's theme was "Halloween in July." This was music to Cole's ears--Halloween is his favorite holiday! They came home each day with stories of Antoine, the resident ghost at the theater. They also made cool crafts, as well as learned many new songs and smooth dance moves. Mary Conlee was especially excited to have her good buddy, Katelyn, in the vampire group with both she and Cole. They performed their production of Monster Idol on Friday for family and friends. My kids have a new found love for the Addams Family...oh, the nostalgia! We can't wait for camp next year!

When I asked Mary Conlee if she wanted to be in a play sometime with her Daddy, her response was, "I don't think I can learn all those things in 5 days." I had to explain to her that rehearsals for a "big people play" is much longer than 5 days...more like 6 weeks. She thought about it for a minute and said, "I think would like to do the 'big people camp' sometime."

 
The Werewolves, Vampires, and Mummies competing in Monster Idol

 
Mary Conlee snapping to The Addams Family

 
MC and Katelyn performing their lines


MC and Katelyn's acting debuts!


"My Pet Monster"

 
Cole loved the "I Want Candy" song

 
MC getting her groove on


I Want Candy

 
Mary Conlee and Katelyn had a blast at camp!

 
It's great when they can do things like this together!

 
Paying tribute to one of Daddy's plays, Godspell

The Karate Kid

We made a trip to Jackson for the Ridgeland Tae Kwon Do Regional Tournament. On our way, we went to Geyser Falls. This water park in Choctaw, Mississippi was a lot of fun for the kids, both big and little! The kids were most excited to be staying in a hotel with an indoor pool. This is one of our travel requirements! Friday night, we met up with Mike, one of Judd's Novartis buddies at Judd's all-time favorite restaurant, Hamil's. Mike's daughter, Georgia, is also a green belt and was competing in the tournament. Judd said we wanted to "size up" the competition. Georgia is a head taller than Cole and several months younger...GREAT!!!

The tournament was held on Saturday at a nearby middle school. Besides performing his green belt forms, sparring was now a part of the competition. This is what makes me the most nervous. However, Cole did well, receiving a silver medal in forms (his 27 green belt moves) and a gold medal in sparring. His daddy was most proud! He likens himself to Mr. Miyagi...the at-home sensei (master). I just call him the pageant dad.

 
Waiting to compete

 
After a board-breaking demonstration, Cole gets his board signed by a karate master

 
Sizing them up

 
Mentally prepared

 
Getting ready to spar. I can't look!

 
The medal ceremony

 
Cole and Georgia