Reflecting on the Crown Fountain

1st Trip to the Sadis....err Dentist

Aaliyah is going to BIG KIDS SCHOOL!!!

On September 2nd, 2008 Aaliyah will begin her next phase in her journey through academia. On this day she will begin Kindergarten at Benjamin Franklin Fine Arts Center. It is very hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that she is 5 years old already. As cliche as this will sound, it really does feel as though she was born yesterday. On Monday morning, we went to have a meet and greet for new families. She insisted on getting all dolled up, and off we went.


Outside the schoolyard, there is a plaque which explains some more about the history of the school.



Here you can see the name of the school, in an old creepy typeface.



Here is the pretty girl; acting silly as usual.



This is a mural? sculpture? mosaic? Whatever it technically is, its beautiful and located on the western side of the building.




The families gathered in the assembly hall. I was impressed with the collection of speakers, lighting not to mention the balcony, and the stage.



Here is Aaliyah eagerly awaiting the introductory presentation



After a general overview from the principal, we were led to her new homeroom. Just outside the room, we discovered a lovely banner welcoming her to her new class, as well as a locker with her name on it!






Here is a picture of the new locker mates. Zarah was an irresistible little girl. Her parents were pretty cool as well!



Here it is!! My baby's classroom!! So exciting!



Aaliyah quickly found her name tag, pulled her new little workbook out, and began to color admist a room drowning in chaos. I found myself somewhat overwhelmed. I could barely hear myself think over the 30 kindergartners to be rabble rabble and the parent eagerly introducing themselves to one another.





There is nothing that makes Aaliyah quite as happy as a play kitchen. MUST get her one.



"Daddy, look at me!!"



After saying her goodbyes to her new friends she posed for a picture with her new teacher Ms. Zambrano




After leaving the new school, but before going back to the office, Aaliyah convinced me that it was mandatory to inspect the new playground.




Coming out the back door, looking to the right through a small patch of grass and a couple of trees is both a playground for big children, and one for the smaller tots.





To the left, along Wells St., was a large grassy knoll, and a nice baseball diamond.

I included this picture because the clouds were so lovely, it was a perfect day.



In this picture you can see the field, and the diamond a little more clearly.

Ping Tom Park, and the Water Taxi

Just hanging out at Ping Tom Park, once again. One of the favorite past times is jumping in circles on these three boulders.. hmm... does that mean they are jumping in triangles?



The kids have their usual tiff about, "THATS MY ROCK" "NO!!!" so I yell from across the park. "HEY!!" and my doggies come running to master. I tell them to just chill so they decide to sit by the river and see what they can see. "I wish we could go on the river" Says Cheech. "Me too" replies Aaliyah. Thats when I notice a sign, that reads "Chicago Water Taxi Stop" Apparently the Chicago Water Taxi (a boat that ferries the suburbanites from Union Station to the beginning of the Magnificent Mile for a night on the town and/or shopping. (I guess to and fro work as well)) has extended its route to come on down to the park now that the majority of Chinatown is now gentrified



Here's a pic of the glorious boat itself. The S.S. Bravo. Nothing too special, however I was quite impressed with the speed. Especially being that there was NO WAKE posted along the majority of the route.




Bibi, Cheech and Aaliyah!! Getting ready to hop onto the BIG yellow boat!



Coming up on the Roosevelt Rd. (1200 S.) bridge The 14th Street Amtrak yard



Then, I had the honor of explaining the Barge



and Tugboats that push them.



A nice shot from the bow, looking at the loop from the southwest.













The final stop was directly across from the Civic Opera Building



And we ended up on Madison, right behind the Chicago Mercantile Exchange

One of Aaliyah's favorite places to eat is the Happiness restaurant located in the heart of lovely Bridgeport. A cozy little family owned Chinese joint, it has good food and insane portions. Her favorite is the Happiness Kow, with extra scallops. She says "I can eat it every day, because it's my favorite!"






She likes to look at her dad.




Oh, she really likes egg rolls as well!

Hot summer day + sprinkler in the yard = Aaaahhhhhhh



Reading a book with my daddy. My neighbor heather is a teacher and she's got good books.



If daddy pointed to the words, i could read them!!! the smaller ones anyhow. He was sooo proud of me.



My daddy's face looks funny and he acts silly after we go to the sox games.