"Maybe it's just that he's a nice boy"

Lincoln's class went on a little field trip today to the fire station that's about a block from the school.

It was relatively unremarkable, although the fire truck was out on a call when we arrived. So we took this photo and then spent some time at the playground next door, good old Seneca Park.

Back at the station, the kids got to climb into the truck. (There is only one here.)

They got to climb into the ambulance, too.

They also got to shoot water from a little hose and tour the kitchen - which was huge, by the way.

Then we went back to the playground, and that was more interesting. See for yourself.

Notice anything?

A lot of girls, perhaps?

This was not news to Dad, of course. In his first true school experience this year, Lincoln really has bonded with the more mature girls in the class. We assume having a big sister is the reason for that.

But other parents have noticed, too. In that last photo, the mom of one of the girls made a remark about all the girls hanging around Lincoln. And someone else joked about a "ladies' man." But then the mom of the other girl said, "Maybe it's just that he's a nice boy."

That's what we think.

Anyway, Dad then took the nice boy to Navy Pier to see Batman's Tumbler (and Bat-Pod) from the "Dark Knight" movies. The field trip continues!

No, Lincoln has not seen, nor will he see for many years, any of those movies. But he still thought it was cool.

Crazy Week, Part II

Phew!

Gram and Cousin Chloe rode the train to the airport without incident early yesterday afternoon, ahead of the NATO rush - Dad and Lincoln accompanied them part of the way, just to make sure - and the summit ended quietly later in the day. We survived!

We made one brave outing while they were here, taking the bus far north to Cricket Hill (away from the NATO hot spots, so perhaps not so brave) for the annual Kids and Kites Festival - which was an official NATO event and Mayor Rahm Emanuel was present (so, yes, it was brave of us after all!).

Otherwise, we stayed in the neighborhood.

Although, our neighborhood was interesting, too. Upon leaving our building, we were surprised to see that our street had a lane blocked for NATO motorcades. That wasn't in any of the reports!

So this, really, was the best place to be.

Crazy Week, Part I

Usually, the spring assembly is another reminder that the school year is ending. But yesterday's performance at Levynn's school was a reminder of something else this time: this is a crazy week!

Among the highlights, Levynn's culture project - on Southern culture - was due Tuesday; Family Culture Night at Levynn's school was this evening; Lincoln's class bunny also came home today for the long weekend, which may not be a long one for you but it is here in Chicago; because the NATO Summit begins Sunday; Gram and Cousin Chloe arrive for a visit tomorrow, NATO be darned; and they will depart Monday afternoon, along with all the NATO delegates and protesters and who knows who else.

The "who knows" element of the summit prompted Lincoln's school, among many businesses, to shut down Friday and Monday. Hopsy Cabbage, the bunny, couldn't be alone that long so we volunteered to bring her home.

Lincoln is allergic to bunnies, we discovered right off the bat this afternoon - see his right eye? - but oh well! At least she made it easier to spend more time in the apartment, thanks to the summit, than we usually do on a weekend.

As for Levynn's assembly, Dad and Lincoln attended. They couldn't tell you the names of any of the second grade's three songs or, perhaps, even any of the words. But here's the most spirited of the three. Enjoy!