Top 24 kick off night

In case you weren't watching, this is who got booted:
Janell
Ashley (was surprised by this, I thought there were others that did far worse)
Joe
Tyler

Why, oh, why America must you put me through such torture to listen to Haeley another week.

I don't agree with most of these, but it's alll about the votes and we all know that America makes weird decisions.

-- Post From My iPhone

AI top 24 night 2

Todrick Hall - I'm not much of an R&B fan, but this kid has a way of rearranging a song like none other. I like him. He's brilliant. I think the judges were totally wrong. In one breath they are telling contestants that they have to make the song their own, and the next breath they are saying it was too much. Where is the happy medium? I agree the runs were a bit much, but I can overlook that.

Aaron Kelly - didn't blow me away, and if you wear braces or a retainer or whatever, you really need to have it removed during competition. That slight wet, smacky sound I hear is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Jermaine Sellars - this kid is cocky and needs to watch it. He didn't impress me much either. The beginning was weak. The rest he screamed. No thanks. He definitely thought he did better than he did.

Tim Urban - who got cut? Hmm. I'm going to have to look into that. He's a cute kid. He'll have to do a lot better if he really wants to go further. I think he may get cut tomorrow though. And there is something weird he does when he's singing to the camera.

Kara ~ honey, somebody overdid it with the bronzer tonight. I'm just saying.

Joe Munoz - ok, when he started singing I thought he was singing in another language. He could probably do well, but he was verrrry nervous and you could hear it.

Tyler Grady - he's a little different, but I think I like him. I like that he brings a retro taste. Vocally probably not the best, but I want to see more...just cause.

Lee Dewyze - oh yeah, I remember him. Props to those who can play an instrument and sing at the same time. Needs work on the vocals. He fell flat a lot when he was holding a note. I don't think it's time for him to go home yet. Be careful about sounding like Daughtry and Nickelback, Chasing Cars and all those bands that kind of sound the same.

John Park - didn't hear anything special from this performance. His runs were all over the place and he wins the prize for worst song choice of the night. He's cute though. Maybe he needs another chance.

Michael Lynche - he's still here. Gotta love the media blowing things out of proportion. I truly think they make things up sometimes just to see how far it will go. Anyway, I want to like Michael. He sings okay but it's a little too much in his nose. He also has really weird song choices. Not wrong necessarily, but not anything I'd expect him to be singing.

Alex Lambert - a mullet? Please don't bring that back. The plastic sunglasses are bad enough. I didn't hate it (the performance). He seemed a little terrified. He also looks way older than 19 to me.

Casey James - no fair trying to make him laugh Kara. I think it could very well have been the best of the boys. I wish my hair looked like that.

Andrew Garcia - I've heard better from him, but he might be my favorite male performer.

-- Post From My iPhone

AI Top 24 night one

Paige Miles - I don't remember anything about thus girl in auditions. Did they even show her? Well, don't get used to it, I think she's going home. I think the nerves got to her. Here's a hint; don't clap on the mic, it drives the sound guys nuts. And I think if the judges heard it back, they'd change all their minds. I thought it sounded terrible.

Ashley Rodriguez - she could be a Jordin Sparks look-a-like. She's got an amazing voice. And nit nearly as annoying as Jordin was. Not sure it was a great song choice...but I think the sound was off too. She also doesn't take criticism very well. I think she's going to be fine.

Janell Wheeler - wasn't great, but she's good. I think these first few weeks are the worst because they really tone back the band so all you're hearing is voice and that's hard.

Lilly Scott - how do you get your hair that color? The song seemed slow at first, but she really showed herself, which the others haven't done yet. She stays true to herself so it's a matter of whether America is going to like her since she's so different. I think she's one of my faves.

Katelyn Epperly - good performance, maybe best of the night, but this is not the kind of song she'll be singing, so I feel like it was a safe choice just to keep her in the game. She's smart.

Haeley Vaughn - oMG!!!!! Make it stop, please. Lay off the glitter too. Please. She's precocious. Please put me out of my misery.

Lacey Brown - not many people can pull off "Landslide" and I'm not sure she did. It was okay and got better as she went along, but as far as originality, I think Lilly did better. She's cute though. I'd like to see her again.

Michelle Delamor - she looks like Leona Lewis and Alicia Keys. I'm not sure that was a good song choice just because she seems more of an Alicia clone. She did awesome though.

Didi Benami - good song choice for her. She knows what to sing. She's original, and has a great voice. Reminds me of a certain blonde haired girl from a previous year that I was pulling for, only better.

Siobhan Magnus - I hate this song. I hated it a little less, but it was terribly dull and slow. I hope she makes it through. She won't win the whole competition I don't think, but she's got potential to make it far.

Crystal Bowersox - I love her, but I question whether she can appeal to the masses. She's committed to music, you can tell that, but is not committed much to the show and I have to wonder if she can handle the stupid tours and commercials and stuff. I love her voice. She does seem a bit out of place here.

Katie Stevens - she's mature for her age. I'd never know she was 17. I like her. She'll be hard to beat. She's the whole package.

-- Post From My iPhone

American Idol picks Top 24 part two

Janell Wheeler - You know, everyone says "this means so much to me" "this means the world to me" "this is what I'm meant to do" or "this is my life" etc. etc.  I wonder if people really think they are the only one who believes that.  Whatever.  This girl really needs to step it up.  She did really well at the beginning, but got worse as it went along.  I hope we see better from her.

Tyler Grady - He's quirky.  Acts cool.  Weird look about him.  I dunno.  We'll see.  Frankly, I'm a little surprised he made it through.

Lacey Brown - she's cute.  A little different.  I don't remember her singing though.  I don't remember her from last season either.

Ashley Rodriguez

Alex Lambert

Joe Munoz

Crystal Bowersox - I really, really really like her.  She definitely needs to do something about her teeth though.  I can't wait to see more from her.  I think she might be my favorite.

Katie Stevens - Another of my favorites.

I'm kind of glad that chick with the super weird glasses didn't get through because she would totally grate on my nerves with those things.  Who thinks that's cool?  Bleh.

Lilly Scott - I really really like her too.  She has a unique sound and I think she'll do well.  I'd like to see her go far.

Paige Miles

Shioban Magness

Michelle Delamore

Jermaine Sellars

John Park

Tim Urban

Haley Vaughn - Oh, holy hell.  What are they thinking?  What are they doing?  For everyone's sake, I hope she doesn't last long because I find her even more annoying than Jordan Sparks.  She makes my brain hurt.  I can't watch her, I can't listen to her.  Oh please please please make her go soon.  Unfortunately she's too young and pure to to have any kind of hidden pending convictions or surprise dismissals, so JUDGES, I BEG you - get rid of her before my brain starts melting.  Anyone who has to wear that much glitter and sparkle is too young and not ready for this competition.  And STOP SMILING!

Thaddeus - even though he didn't make it, we may just see him again since BIG MIKE's (from yesterday) dad couldn't keep his mouth shut and may have gotten him eliminated.  But, I'm not sure I can take his weeping again.

Andrew Garcia - Yay! 

American Idol Top 24 picks part one

Here's my breakdown of the top 24.

Michael Lynch - big guy. He's a good pick. Don't see him making it to the top 12, but he's alright for now. Oh, and he looks kind of funny with a guitar cause he's so huge.

DiDi Benami - I like her. She's got a good voice, good potential. So far shes picked perfect songs and i think thats part of the challenge. She can go pretty far, but again, I don't think she'll take it all.

Katelyn Epperly - she doesn't stick out for me. Her hair is cool, but that's about all I ever remember.

Casey James - he reminds me a little of Jason Castro only not quite so airheaded. I kind of like him. Let's see what he brings.

Aaron Kelly - meh...I'm not impressed yet. He's a kid.

Lee Dewyze - again, not impressed. He sounds like every other deep throated singer on the radio right now.

Todrick Hall - he must be good if he was on Broadway, right? Was it broadway? I haven't seen much of him, but he's a'ight.

Okay, I likes the Jessica chick t the end - until the end. Wow. That was uncomfortable.

-- Post From My iPhone

Pre-school

Addison started in the pre-school class at her daycare when we returned from Walt Disney World last week. The first day (as expected) was rough for drop off since she'd been out for 3 weeks because of her hospital stay, then we kept her out the following week because of holiday and leaving for vacation and then we were in Florida for the week after that. She worked herself up into a frenzy of nerves and anticipation about going back to daycare. We were greeted with a new routine when we arrived: new room, new place to put her coat and shoes, etc., but her teacher came over with her as well as a few girls from her toddler class so I think there was enough familiarity to not be so overwhelming. Since she couldn't see me after I left the room she stopped crying almost immediately.


So, she liked pre-school class except for the fact that she keeps saying she doesn't want to go back to the pre-school class. Trust me, she likes it. She practically leaps into the center now and is excited to turn in her homework. Yes, she has homework. The first day wasn't so bad and seemed age appropriate to me. The other days it seemed way too advanced and she didn't have fun with it. In fact, it was frustrating to her because she didn't know the answers we were trying to help her come up with and we were frustrated because we're not teachers and don't know how to help her. To me, that does not make a good homework assignment for a 3 year old. It should be fun, not like homework. She's just 3. I get the whole concept of getting the parents involved in the whole learning process of a child, but I think we all felt it was a little too much. At this stage learning should be fun.

The other thing is they make them wear uniforms. We got 1 long sleeved black shirt to last the whole week. She has to wear solid black pants too. It's quite boring and dull and it makes me think that they look like an urban militia or gang or something. I try to liven it up a little with bright hair bows and crazy socks, but in reality it's just a drab black uniform. They're not even going anywhere, so I'm not sure why they have to wear the uniform. Maybe it's my fault. Maybe Addison was looking too darn cute for everyone else in her cute outfits that they had to tame everyone down and make them all look the same. This seriously stifles our creativity...hers and mine and limits her decision making about her appearance in the mornings. I think it's time to find a new daycare. We need choices and we need to look CUTE! Black is not flattering. Even Clinton and Stacy would agree that head to toe black looks terrible.

NEW American Idol season

How excited am I that Ellen DeGeneres is the new American Idol judge? I can't even tell you. What could be better than my favorite comedian and my favorite show all wrapped up in one? I think she's going to be awesome and bring an element that has been missing. With Simon leaving (allegedly) next year, I think this will be a welcome change - if Ellen decides to do it again next year. I was afraid she'd be funny all the time and wondered how she would be able to give honest feedback when she's such a "nice" person, but I think (I hope) we'll all be surprised. I've watched her show for years now and I know that she can bring a serious note when it's necessary. She has a great reputation among her peers, so I think with her connections and all the other judges connections, we'll see more celebrities making appearances on the show. I suspect that all the celebrity judges at the beginning of the show was a precursor to Simon leaving anyway. I like that part and hope to see more of it. This show needed re-vamped and that's what they're doing. So far, so good.




Just a side note, I can already tell which people are going to drive me nuts this year. :) Hopefully most of them won't make it past Hollywood week.

Addison's New Mickey Sunglasses

These were Addison's new flip out Mickey sunglasses that we got at WDW.  She was so cute, but didn't want her picture taken, so I had to take her by surprise.

This is Addison's 3 year picture. She's looking so much older now!