Bravo, Mary Kate, bravo

Yes, this is a very unusual post - perhaps unique, even - but MK deserves it. So please play along with me.

Last week, the Chicago Tribune cut newsroom staff for the fifth time in nine months. Among the 53 people were several copy editors, who were particularly vulnerable in this round as the Tribune "restructured" its editing and design desks into one universal "production" team of copy editors, photo editors and page designers, who are supposed to be jacks of all trades.

Considering the following three facts - the Tribune says that it will focus more on local news going forward, the copy editors it just cut were all on the local news desk, and more than 200 newsroom employees have been laid off since Mary Kate was hired - I've concluded that she is wanted there.

And for that, not to mention the stress in these difficult times, she deserves some love. So let's give it to her.

Thank you!

Nathan

"Truly gifted...keep up the great work Mary Kate!" - Uncle Dan

"Hey, MK, We are so proud of you and your career mamagement. This is a tough business in a tough time. But the newspaper Binghams stuck to their guns in tough times in the depression era and I guess it just got in our blood. I'm sure that newspaper blood and work ethic is what the Tribune sees in my daughter. I see it too." - Grandaddy

"Oh my darling daughter, you know how proud I am of you...!! Your determination to succeed continues to amaze me... from your 'face up - face the world' birth to your determination to cheerlead for what you believe in... on to the perseverance and independence you commanded in securing an international duty right out of high school and then a home state advantage in journalism... now the bigtime has found you and I too believe, like all those times before, that they know how lucky they are to have you... Granny too would remind you... 'nothing harder than you and He can bear together...'" - Grandy

"'Your the best.....around!' Keep it up MK!" - Uncle Colin

"I know the fear you must be feeling, but just continue to be the dedicated, hard worker that they hired!! Obviously they know a good thing when they have it! You make us all proud, but especially ME!! You prove that us working moms CAN do it ALL!!!" - Aunt Rachel

"Dearest Mary Kate, we are all so proud of you and know that you persevere with grace through difficult times. This economic time is one of particular trial for you, and I know the responsibilities you share with Nathan make your worries greater. Know that all our love and support are with you, and prayers, too. Your blessings are many and I pray that your trials will be few, especially now. As you have shown in the past, your talent has brought you far, and will continue to serve you. Chin up!!" - Gram

"We're very proud of you...keep up the good work! Our love and prayers are with you, Nathan, Levynn, and Lincoln ALWAYS!"
- Uncle Byron, Aunt Christina and Cousin Clark

Mom, Martha. Martha, Mom.

Mom was beaming when she returned from Macy's today. Martha even gets kudos from Dad for a morale boost like that.

Off to see the Wizard

Dad and Levynn went to the opening show of "The Wizard of Oz" at The Chicago Theatre today. It was great!

Four to Field

Nearly a year to the day that Dad and Levynn visited The Field Museum, all four of us finally made it there together today. Dad had spied a pass at the downtown library (which we now frequent) and grabbed it, not knowing whether we'd have a chance to use it. But we did!

We walked to Michigan Ave. and hopped on a bus (one bus - oh how nice it is to live here!) that delivered us across the street from the museum's front door.

(That's not a spaceship inside that stadium in the background. That's Soldier Field and its hideous "upgrade" from a few years back.)


Can you tell Chicago's excited about the NBA and NHL playoffs?


After the obligatory viewing of Sue, we headed downstairs to the Crown Family Playlab, which closed for the day before Dad and Levynn could get there last time.
Levynn got dressed up as a redbird (above) and a skunk (below, gassing us through a log).

Lincoln and Levynn both liked the lifesize adobe model the best.

One opportunity we're not wasting

That's not to say we're wasting any here! But we definitely are taking advantage of the indoor swimming pool in this building. We've been in it two Saturdays in a row. Dad swam with each of the kids, one at a time, last Saturday. Then all four of us swam together today. It was a lot of fun, and we'll keep doing it.

Why didn't I think of that?

There is another convenience - or amenity, even - that our new apartment offers, and, as hard as you will find this to believe, it hadn't crossed our minds until today.

We can walk to the beach.

Granted, it's not Cape Cod or Myrtle Beach. (Then again, it's not salt water, either.) But it's a beach, Oak Street Beach, and it's roughly eight blocks away. So we can walk there. And we did.

What better way to enjoy today's sneak peek of summer, with the temp hitting 84 degrees?

We packed a picnic lunch and left mid-morning on a four-hour outing that also included our first walk to Millenium Park.

Nice milieu for a beach, wouldn't you say?




Here comes the water, Lev!



Can you read Levynn's name? She wrote that. And Mom wrote "Mom" above it.

Big bad wolf, piggies and singing

Those are the words Lincoln has been repeating since today's performance of "The Three Little Pigs" opera, Dad's first adventure with the kids from our new apartment.

The show, at DePaul University, was a joint production of the school's Community Music Division and The Opera Play-House.

And, yes, it was an opera - kid-friendly, but an opera nonetheless.

Why we've been gone

It's been almost a month since we've updated this blog, and most of you know the reason(s). We were: 1. getting ready to move; 2. moving; and 3. getting unpacked.

But now we're back, ready to show you the fruit of our labor. So let's get right to it.

Here's the guided tour:




Did you hear Levynn mention the sunset as we were looking out the window? She wasn't exaggerating.


We have that view every night.

This is going to be fun, don't you think?

Actually, it's fun already.

Tricky stuff, almost mastered

Chambers visits

It's been a week full of showing off and snuggles, with separate visits from Uncle Dan and Gram.



Mom and Dad actually took off one afternoon for a great brunch and some time just holding each other's hands. Much needed and appreciated!