We returned to the 94th floor of the Hancock Center today to visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus, just as we did each of the previous two Christmas seasons we've lived here, and we ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory downstairs afterward just as we did last Christmas Eve. So call it a tradition.
We arrived a little early and were first in line - again, just like last year - and when Santa appeared from behind curtains he asked the kids for hugs, Levynn AND Lincoln obliged.
For the first time, they even sat with him for the photo without Mom and Dad!
The photo below was taken on the bottom floor of the building, in front of the holiday train exhibit.
Now look at this one from last year, taken in the same area.
Tonight, we got ready for Santa's arrival at our building.
We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art for its monthly Family Day, which had crafts, treats and new exhibits since our last visit. And - surprise, surprise - they've simply replaced wackiness with more wackiness.
The kids do get a kick out of this stuff, though. Lincoln decided to play hard-to-get through this one.
We were surprised to find snow on the ground and still coming down when we awoke this morning, adding to yesterday's modest amount for Chicago's first accumulation of the season. So the kids were very excited.
If you recall, Lincoln did not like to be in the snow last winter. That has changed! While Levynn was at school and Mom was shopping, Dad and Lincoln took a nice walk to the park across the street.
Those boots on his feet are the pair Levynn wore last winter, by the way.
This evening, we set out our Christmas decorations, a likely precursor to tree trimming tomorrow!
Dad and the kids headed to Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier after dinner, when it was free for all. That's always the case on Thursday nights, but we weren't the least bit impressed with the place on our previous visits and hadn't bothered to go back.
But there are two new exhibits - including Play It Safe, which opened today - that looked worth trying, and Mom worked an early shift and was able to meet us there.
And lo and behold, those two exhibits, which are the bulk of a revamped first floor, significantly improved the experience.
Fort, which unfortunately is temporary, is a large room loaded with household stuff - couches, chairs, doors, storage pieces, a stairway, sheets and blankets and more - to build forts. It's pretty sweet.
Play It Safe is about fire safety - or fire fighting. There's a replica fire truck to climb into and onto, a command center with gear for kids to wear and a communication system that connects to the truck, a fire pole to slide down, a fire hydrant, hoses, and a mock bedroom-on-fire where kids can practice getting low and going.
We actually skipped two opportunities last night, the season debuts of Millenium Park's Caroling at Cloud Gate and Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoo Lights, even though Mom didn't have to work until almost bedtime.
But Dad and the kids corrected that on this unseasonably beautiful November evening, which brought out the largest crowd we've seen at the zoo.
So here is Zoo Lights, including that snowman who now looks more in his element.
On the way home, we stopped at More - our decadent neighborhood cupcake shop - because Levynn spotted her buddy, More's owner, through the window. She has red hair and has stated repeatedly that she wants to trade one of her kids for Levynn. Well, she met Lincoln for the first time tonight and now wants to trade two of her kids. So can you guess what we took home, free of charge?
Who needs to shop on a day like this in a city like this?
We did not. But we did get outside.
The day after Thanksgiving also is known here for the traditional Wreathing of the Lions at The Art Institute, and we braved the cold to be there for the first time.
There was pre-wreathing amusement, like this guy - from Cirque du Soleil's new show "Banana Shpeel" - chatting with the kids
and Scrooge from Goodman Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" production.
But the hundreds of people didn't come for any of that. They came for this:
More was inside the museum, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
and a holiday wreaths project inspired by the museum's Victorian photocollage exhibition.
We don't have any lions at home, but Lincoln wreathed a monkey instead.
Levynn wreathed her hideout door.
And Mom wreathed our apartment door.
We also pulled out our Christmas books and our one Christmas game, which is based on the classic Charlie Brown television special.
Who says little kids can't work as a team?
They even sit nicely (for the most part) at the dinner table together!
"I love Katniss," Lincoln says.
"I love Christina," he says, too.
What a nice Byron.
And that's what he gets for it.
Reading with Grandy.
Would you believe Mom and Byron played with that when they were little? It was unveiled during our visit at Mammy and Pap's house. 
Grandpappy Snippy Snappies!
Loves for Granddad.
It looks like someone's having fun!
Grandy tells a ghosty story.
