Park District Camps!

My kids have been attending Chicago Park District Camps for the past few years, and we couldn't be happier. We've been at three different parks, and all of them have been wonderful. The staff is always great, the field trips are terrific, and you can't beat the price. This year they are at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, and they're both having a blast. Instead of swimming every day (there is no pool at this park), they have "Beach Days" where they walk to the lake for a swim. How cool is that?

Quotable Chicago

As I update my blog on Chicago in the Summer, I feel I should update about the progress of the next StudentsXpress issue, "Life in the City." I've reached out to various Chicagoans for quotes about "What makes Chicago a great place to live." I've received quotes from Mayor Emanuel, Kerry Wood, Jesse White, Rick Kogan, Toni Preckwinkle, Pastor Corey Brooks, Tony Fitzpatrick and Dan Gargan to name a few. I still have more quotes coming in, and I'm looking forward to printing these Chicagoans' words next to the art and writing of the CPS students. As I say, StudentsXpress isn't just about the students, it's about the community. Everyone who has contributed a quote has been a positive part of that community, and I thank them all!

Random Food Trucks and Unique Spots

I can't believe it's July already. That sounds so cliche, that the summer is flying by, but it's true. We've done a lot, but I haven't been bringing my camera with me everywhere, so I haven't been posting. I do intend to bring my camera along more, since the kids grow so fast (another cliche), and I love looking back on when they were younger (as do they).

Sam has been taking gymnastics at the park district, and she loves it. After her Saturday class, we would sometimes try to go out together to a new place. This particular Saturday we went to Urban Orchard in Andersonville. I had read about it and wanted to check it out. It was a cute shop, and Sam got a brownie and a drink. We sat at their tables and hung out a bit...some girl time. On our way back to the car we saw "Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels." Though she just ate, I couldn't resist buying her a treat to take home and share with Ethan later.

No, I wouldn't normally just buy her a cupcake after she had a brownie. But I had heard so much about these food trucks and rarely saw them that I thought why not? And I happened to have my camera with me too.