For those of you who have been living under a rock (or maybe do not have a school aged girl living in your house) you may not know that Miley Cyrus – AKA Hannah Montana  is filming her “break out” movie in Savannah.  The move titled “The Last Song” has begun filming on Tybee.  They have transformed the pier area into a sea food festival – complete with a carnival with real rides set up on the beach.

One of our client’s sons is involved with the movie and his mom worked it out for Edie Grace, DeWayne and I to come on set yesterday as extra’s.  We spent the day on the beach with Miley.  Edie Grace was in HEAVEN.   When Miley first came up to her and winked at her and waved at her – Edie Grace was definitely star struck!  I thought for a second that Edie Grace was going to pass out.  But she survived it!

I was amazed at the level of detail and the transformation of the pier by the production team.  It was really neat to see the “behind” the scenes of a major motion picture.  It certainly helps you understand why the ticket prices are so high!

It is our understanding that they will be continuing to call for extra’s throughout the filming which ends in August.  You can learn more about being an extra by visiting the Savannah Film Office by clicking here.  It was a very long, HOT day – but it was well worth it for Edie Grace to have the opportunity to see Miley up close and personal.  Several of the pictures posted here, you will notice the crowds and the paparazzi.  Edie Grace was allowed to see first hand how hard Miley really works and how challenging it is to be a star, as a teenager, when your every move is being watched.  Most importantly, she now understands that this larger than life person – that she is a HUGE fan of is a real person – just like her.

A couple of weeks ago when we were in New York Edie Grace was fortunate to get to see Prince Harry and President and Mrs. Obama.  That was a wonderful experience for her – but it pails in comparison to this.  It did create the opportunity of some great dialog with her.  She now realizes that these are ordinary people who have experienced some extraordinary opportunities.  This confirms to her that she can be anything she wants – if she works hard and continues to apply herself in school. 

Miley was so personable on set and was really sweet to all the children on the set.  It was refreshing to see how she handled herself and how she just loves to blend in with everyone there.

Our hope is that this movie has the impact on Tybee that “the Book” had on Savannah.  Thanks Stephanie and Jacob for the opportunity!

Edie Grace always thought it would be super cool to design her own Barbie.  Well thanks to a little magic from FAO she did it today.  They have a really neat computer system which allows you to walk through the steps of designing your very own Barbie.  Once you complete the process, your Barbie is featured in a special run way show and then she is presented to you in her own custom case.  All of this takes place right before your eyes with a little Barbie and FAO magic.  How many times did you dream of creating your very own Barbie as a girl?  The entire experience is larger than life.

Just a few more steps down New York’s Fifth Avenue we stepped into the doors of the flagship Tiffany’s.  I have always dreamed of owning a piece of jewelry from Tiffany’s.  One of my favorite places to photograph is the chapel on Jekyll Island that features the Tiffany stained Glass, a gift from the original Tiffany family.  It is one of the few original Tiffany signed Stained Glasses still in existence.  A few weeks ago, a client of mine shared how as a child she would travel into the city with her parents and walk through Tiffany’s and dream of owning a piece of jewelry from there. When she received a recent promotion – she was finally in a position to achieve this dream.  She flew to New York and made the purchase she had dreamed of.  I have studied their exceptional customer service – complete with the WOW of the little blue box with the perfect hand tied bow and matching bag.  Well today, I received a surprise early birthday gift from DeWayne and Edie Grace.  They have been planning this visit for months.  I am still in shock.  I do not feel worthy!  Now the experience is complete.  Every time I wear my gift I will remember how powerful and wonderful today’s experience was!  What a great DAD and husband Edie Grace and I share.

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Edie Grace got to pick lunch today so she treated us to lunch at the Cafe inside American Girl Place.  The dining room is so incredibly cute.  It over looks 5th Avenue and 49th street.  They have special seating for your American Girl doll and they make EVERYONE feel like a princess (and prince).  I think we were the only folks there not celebrating a birthday.  What a great place to have a birthday party!  The four course meal was exceptionally planned.  The napkin holders doubled as keepsake hair band ribbons.  So the next time you want to have some mother/daughter time or you want to feel like a little princess again – I highly recommend lunch at the AGP.

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This is our first trip back to NYC since September 11th and it was even more powerful than I imagined.  Edie Grace was 4 months old when the attacks occurred.   I purchased a book with photo’s of the attack and went through it with Edie Grace.  You simply can not understand the magnitude of it all – until you stand there.  From there we took the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and back.  Lunch at Pier 17 and then we walked the entire Brooklyn Bridge.  After dinner we took in the M&M and Hershey stores on Times Square and people watched for a while. This city really doesn’t sleep!

  I think Edie Grace is a natural for Broadway!  The lights and the energy in a city that never sleeps is pretty amazing.  We visited the NBC studios in Rockefeller Plaza, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Times Square and of course – Toy’s R US.  They have an operating Ferris wheel inside the store.  That should give you and idea of how big the store is.  The weather is perfect and the crowds…WOW – where did all these people come from?

Of course we are in New York so we have to do a little (LOT) of shopping!  Since part of this trip is a reward for a great year in school and a celebration of Edie Grace’s 8th birthday – she was allowed to pick the first place to go.  She has been saving for months for us to take her American Girl Place “Emily” to the store.  Of course the store is located on the renown 5th Avenue adjacent to Saks Fifth Avenue.  Three stores of incredible – breathtaking – marketing genius!  They have everything you can imagine for American Girl dolls, including a hair salon, photo studio, restaurant, gift shop, bakery, etc..etc.  We were lucky to get Emily in with one of the TOP American Doll hair designers at the salon.  After a nearly TWO HOUR wait it was her turn.  She got a fabulous do and she also was brave enough to get her ears pierced. 

We spent nearly THREE hours in the store.  It was a wonderful experience for all of us – even DeWayne enjoyed it and did not complain (well maybe a little) about being in one store for three hours.

  Today we flew into New York.  I am here doing advocacy work for the HPV Vaccine, photographing clients and enjoying a few days with Edie Grace and DeWayne in the Big Apple.  This trip is part of Edie Grace’s 8th birthday celebration.  After an adventurous day of travel we finally arrived.  We were delayed in Charlotte and then again in the air because of bad weather which caused them to shut down the Newark airport.  The weather is great and tomorrow morning I will be interviewed for a series of PSA’s promoting the importance of the HPV vaccine.  I am here at the invitation of PKIDS (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) a wonderful organization founded by a wonderful mom.  We had dinner tonight with other parents who will also be featured in this series.  Their stories were heart warming and very powerful.  I knew tonight that this is a fight I must continue with renewed spirit.

If this vaccine will prevent only one child from experiencing cancer – my fight, time and effort is well served.

This week Edie Grace completed 2nd grade.  We had a phenomenal year end party and ended the year at honor’s day at Pinewood.  Edie Grace received her first trophy for being an honor “graduate”.  This means she was on the honor roll for the entire year.  She (and mom and dad) were SO excited about her achievement and of course her trophy.  Thanks to Mrs. Faye Royal and Mrs. Jennifer Bradley for an incredible year!  Special thanks to Mrs. Miriam Usry for a great year of piano lessons.

All Cowboy and Cowgirls were transported by stage coach (AKA Pinewood bus) to Double T Farms, an authentic Western City, owned by friends of Pinewood Bulloch County Commissioner, Roy and Deborah Thompson.  They were all dressed in their finest Cowboy and Cowgirl outfits complete with bandannas and hats. A scrumptious, hearty meal was provided for everyone (including parents) prepared by the campfire and served in the Ogeechee Diner (AKA Cantina) with care by the Chuck Wagon Cooks.

The Wild, Wild West shoot out was coordinated by the notorious Deal family (grandparents of Fast Finger Leah Deal). The shoot out helped identify the fastest gunslinger in the west. Prizes were awarded to only the best and most authentic gunslingers.

Not for the weak hearted, only the most competitive Cowboy and Cowgirls who have LOT’S of energy – enjoyed the Party Harbor Gang;s Adrenaline Rush obstacle course. The 360 degree obstacle course includes 80’ of challenges per lane including tunnels, log jams, crawl troughs’, up and over’s, rock climbs, slides and MORE!

Thanks to the High Sherriff’s (AKA Mr. Welch and Mr. Dominey) and the Cow Bosses (AKA Mrs. Driggers, Mr. Perkins and Mrs. Royal) for enthusiastically supporting this trip to the Wild, Wild, West to celebrate the incredible year of success achieved by the greatest group of Cowboys and Cowgirls ever to darken to door of Pinewood.

Special thanks to Roy and Deborah Thompson, Brian Reiss at Party Harbor, Sheriff Lynn Anderson and Katie Stringer.  We also could not have pulled this off without the help of Edgar and Shirlee Deal, Bob and LaJuan DeWitt, Rick Hutchison, Gil Riggs, Brad and Nancy McCooey, Heather Godwin, John Beasley that helped coordinate this incredible event.  Thanks to ALL the parents who contributed time and money to help make this a truly unforgettable event!

Tonight was Edie Grace’s namesake great grandmother’s 85th birthday.  Her children, grands and great grands surprised her with a computer and high speed Northland Cable internet.  Now she can keep up with my blog in real time!  We celebrated with her at 119 Chops in Downtown Statesboro.

She is so special to all of us.  She is in great health – drives daily, works hard as a pink lady at East Georgia, weekly card games, socials, church activities and squeezing in time for Edie Grace makes her a VERY busy woman.

We are excited that she is ready to take on something new – like EMAIL and THE INTERNET at 85!  She proves to us daily that your NEVER to old to stop learning.  All you single bachelors might had better read the “NEW” post on Match.com pretty closely now that she is armed with a computer and the internet!  Happy Birthday Memaw!