Happy "Evan Lysacek Day"

Well, today in Naperville it is "Evan Lysacek Day." Evan Lysacek is the American, Olympic gold medal winner for men's figure skating from this year's olympics. Apparently, he is from Naperville. So all of Naperville has become obsessed with the boy including our own little Abby. Evan attended Abby's elementary school when he was young. He is making an appearance there today in front of all the students. He will talk about his favorite book and winning the gold medal.

Abby couldn't be more excited. Yesterday, she was sitting on the toilet singing her heart out with a song she made up about Evan Lysacek. She has been so excited for weeks now about him. We have watched his gold medal skate several times on the internet.

Unfortunately, they have banned parents from coming to the assembly to see Evan because there isn't enough room. I wish I could go see him too. I could go after school where the mayor is presenting him with a key to the city but Abby and Sammy have an Easter egg hunt. Oh well...

Anyway, today I have gotten two calls from the school nurse saying that Abby is complaining that she doesn't feel well. The nurse checked her for a fever and she has none. Her throat looks fine too. She says she has been coughing. She complained of this yesterday as well so we kept her home in the morning so she could be well enough to see Evan Lysacek today. When I asked her on the phone what she wanted me to do, she said she didn't know because she wanted to see Evan Lysacek. But then she called back again saying she was not feeling well but still did not want to come home. The nurse again confirmed that she seemed fine and had no fever. So she is going to tough it out, all in the name of seeing Mr. Evan Lysacek. What a sacrifice! Maybe she is just nervous...

Below is an article about Evan Lysacek making an appearance at the high school near our house:


Naperville Welcomes Home Golden Boy Evan Lysacek


NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- Naperville's Golden Boy is celebrating a homecoming. It's "Evan Lysacek Day" in Naperville.

Long before his glory days, he was a student at Nequa Valley High School. Six years after graduating, he returned Friday to receive a "Distinguished Alumni Award."

As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, it wasn't quite a gold medal, but you wouldn't know it from the reaction of students.

Lysacek returned to his alma mater with a new rock star status. In the gym at Nequa Valley High School, the gold medal winner was greeted with thunderous applause and students in awe.

"This is crazy," said student Matt Rabe. "It's like before a big football game. I love it!"

"I mean, Evan Lysacek, he's a gold medal winner!" said student Stacey Franco. "He went to our school. We just can't believe it!"

Lysacek told the students to go after their dreams, the type of encouragement he said he was grateful to get from his teachers when he was a student there.

"It's such an honor to be back here," said Lysacek. "It definitely takes me back to when I was leading my double life, trying to be a normal student as much as I could, and train as an elite athlete. This is a day to celebrate, but it's also a day to say thank you to those who have backed me in this community."

The festivities gave Lysacek a little break from training for the "Stars on Ice" show that he's currently preparing for, and his "Dancing with the Stars" partner was with him on stage.

The private pep rally was just the beginning in a series of homecoming honors.

"Isn't he a great looking guy? And he still loves Naperville," said Naperville Mayor George Pradel. He unveiled a street sign, renaming a parkway after the golden boy.

Lysacek will also be presented with a key to the city after another rally later this afternoon.

"First, I'm going to find out exactly what it unlocks because I'm not sure," Lysacek said. "A big safe, maybe. That's what I'm guessing."