The Long Good-Bye

Erin met the Rappaports on the Irving School Playground, a few days before she went into fifth grade.  She was helping me with Irving's New Kindergarten Parent Welcome.  A was starting kindergarten in just a few days, and she was a little nervous.  Erin got down on her knees so she was eye-level with A, and started up a conversation with her.  The next thing I knew, they were off playing on the jungle gyms.  A's mom was so impressed with Erin, she began calling her for mommy's helper jobs.  As soon as Erin was legally old enough to babysit, the Rappaports were one of the first families to hire her.  Over the years, this babysitting gig has become something more:  Erin's become an honorary member of their family.

So it is with a large degree of sadness that we have come to this week.  Like so many Oak Parkers, the Rappaports are relocating out of state.  Erin's been spending most of her days this week watching over the kids, while L finishes packing up the house.  Tonight Erin offered to make them dinner.  She made spaghetti and homemade sauce and sunshine salad.  She threw in a loaf of fresh Italian bread and some fresh berries.  She packed it all up in dispoable containers and carted it the three blocks to their house.  She made enough so they could have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

The Rappaports are leaving Saturday morning, and we're sure going to miss them!

Today was Father's Day, and The 5 Ring Circus celebrated with a low-key family day.  After church this morning, Baird spent some time with each of the kids individually.  He had decided that instead of having the kids give him gifts, he wanted to give them something special.  He had written each one a very personal letter, where he told them how much he loved them and how special they were to him.  He sat with each of the kids privately while they read the letter he had written them.  Erin said her letter was her Best Thing for the day, and Drew and Kelsey said they really liked theirs too.

Late afternoon, we headed into the City to dine al fresco as a family at Pizzeria Due.  It's the place Baird and I ate at the day after we were married, before we left for our honeymoon in Barbados.  We'd also taken Brad and Caleb there after we treated them to a Bulls game back in the day when Michael Jordan played (Caleb, who's now over 30 and has a family of his own, was about Drew's age at the time).  We decided it was time we share this Chicago institution with the kids, and a kind patron at the next table offered to take a photo of all of us:

After stuffing ourselves with pizza, we headed over to the lakefront for a post-dinner stroll.  We walked the lakefront south to Buckingham Fountain, and then took a cab back to the car since it was starting to get late.  It was a beautiful, wonderful, peaceful family day.  Baird christened it the best Father's Day he's ever had!

Daddy's (not so little) Girls

Baird has a great relationship with all the kids, and with the girls, there's definitely a silly side that came thru loud and clear in these Father's Day candids:

H A P P Y   F A T H E R S   D A Y ! ! !

Seeing Green

Even tho Erin's been training all week to be a volunteer at Brookfield Zoo, today was the first day she was told to wear her uniform.  She looks so good in the bright emerald green color that makes the zoo volunteers easily recognizable.  If you happen to be at the zoo on Mondays or Tuesdays this summer, look for Erin - she'll be happy to share some animal facts with you!

Last Day of 4th Grade

It was Irving's last day of school today, and the teachers did their annual dance (watch it here).  New this year:  Elvis was on the building!  Yep, that's Mr. D, the beloved janitor, dressed up as Elvis, dancing around on the rooftop!

 Ms. Payton's old chair was in sad shape.  She can't remember exactly how long she's had the other chair, but we're pretty sure it's been at least 15 years.

Meanwhile, we said good-bye to a long-haired Drew, as he participated in Irving's shave-the-head-on-the-last-day-of-school ritual.  He looked like this going in this morning:

then he headed to Mr. Gray's room, where he got the long stuff buzzed off:

and Mr. Sak finished him off with a total shave:

This group of guys has hung out together on the last day of school since they were in first grade.  I makes me wonder if they'll keep it up after next year, their last year at Irving.

It's official:  summer's here!

8th Grade Pomp and Circumstance

Tonight was Erin's eighth grade graduation.  She entered middle school a mere 12-year-old tweener, and is exiting as a mature 14-year-old, who is more than ready to tackle the challenges of high school.

Last 4th Grade Field Trip

Today was the last full day of fourth grade for Drew.  The afternoon was spent hanging out at Rehm Park, playing a water version of duck, duck, goose.  There was also a water balloon toss, which Drew and his partner won.

Notice the length of Drew's hair.  He's not had a real hair cut in four months (we did force a bang trim when the head flinging a la Justin Bieber became an intolerable obsession).  Tomorrow:  Off with his hair!!!

A Beautiful Thank You

I just love it when people say "thank you" with flowers.  This is the third time this year I've been so lucky to be thanked in such a wonderful way.  These gorgeous flowers are in a basket, which now hangs from my front porch.  Ms. Payton gave them to me (along with a note so beautiful and heartfelt it made me cry) to say "thanks for being a room parent all three times your kids were in my classroom."

Last Week of 8th Grade: Killing Time Part 2

Today the Julian eighth graders took their annual trip to Great America.  Here are some of Erin's favorite pics from the day.

Tomorrow is graduation practice, and Monday is Career Day, with the graduation ceremony Monday evening.  This school year is so over for these kids, and they truly are just killing time for a few more days.