first thursdays live on

We're a family who likes traditions (or maybe that's just me). Unfortunately, once we proclaim something a new tradition, it's guaranteed never to happen again.

Take the great "Presidents Day Weekend" tradition that began (and sadly saw its demise) in the year 2001 or so. That's the tradition where, being the spontaneous duo that we are, we would jet off to some random location that was emailed to us in cyber fares the day before President's Day weekend. We thought this would be a good idea after we happened to get a good fare to Chicago (not a cyberfare) on Presidents Day weekend. It was a good idea while it lasted which, if you're playing along at home, was NOT AT ALL because the first time wasn't even a random cyberfare. And now, with the kid cramping our style, the tradition is dead for sure.

But I'm pleased to announce a new family tradition. And now that it's actually happend three times, this time I mean it. It's called First Thursdays. That's when the first Thursday of each month, Raisin and I brave the suits and ladies in power heels to have lunch downtown with Papa. And we eat at the same place too -- the basement of Marshall Field's. And believe me, they have a whole lot more down there than Frango mints.

Let me tell you. You don't see many babies in strollers in the skyway midday downtown. It's funny to see people look at us like we're some sort of freaks. "Hey, look at the family freaks!" The best part is seeing Raisin's face when he sees his papa come down the escalator into the lobby. Just like a ball, he can spot him from a mile away.