Happy birthday, Lincoln!

Having a child's birthday on America's birthday isn't getting old. From presents at 7 a.m. to fireworks at 9 p.m. - and Taste of Chicago in between - we had a festive day for sure, with Gram along for it all.

Mom even made a red, white and blue breakfast of French toast, blueberries and cherries for the new three-year-old.


Look who has a scooter now, too.

Taste of Chicago has more than food, including the family pavilion with a stage where we listened to some of Justin Roberts' concert.

Dad and the kids also rode on the carousel.


Lighting the candles on Lincoln's traditional Taste of Chicago birthday cheesecake slice was not easy in the wind, which unfortunately was not also strong enough to give much comfort in the 90-degree heat. But he didn't mind!

And it's good!

The kids spent much of the rest of the day cooling down and freshening up. Eventually, Dad, Gram, Levynn and Lincoln met Mom at Tribune Tower and went to the 22nd floor balcony, where we had a perfect view of Navy Pier's fireworks.



And that was a perfect coda to the day.