School updates and more

There was no school today, to make room for parent-teacher conferences and report card pickups. But that doesn't mean we didn't fill the day.

First, Lincoln visited his preschool class with Dad. We learned last year that it's common for "graduates" to visit, and we had been encouraged to do so. This was as good a time as any. Six of his classmates remained, and the teachers were the same. So there was some familiarity for him, enough to stay for 45 minutes. There were hugs.

Then we all met Todd for lunch. We hadn't seen him in a while. More hugs.

After lunch, Todd walked with us to school. We met with the kids' teachers and received sparkling reports.

Lincoln, we learned, is in the strongest reading group and is "well-developed" in many of the areas. That's how kindergarteners are "graded:" well-developed, partially developed, or beginning to develop.

Levynn, meanwhile, continued her streak of straight As to at least six terms, dating back to first grade.

We're very proud of both!

From the kids' school, we followed Mom to Northwestern University's Chicago campus (across from Lake Shore Park, where the rest of us played). She had an appointment with an adviser in advance of winter quarter registration. She'll be taking a class!

"Thank you, Dad and Susan!"

She even got a student I.D., making her an official Wildcat. Maybe we'll be proud of Mom soon, too.

After that, we burned some time until American Girl unveiled its holiday windows, with hot chocolate and cookies. We seem to do that every year now.

Quite a day!