• a "10 sticker" day for 2 oh-so-smart but can't-sit-still kids
• a good mid-day laugh with my mentor, the kind that brings tears to my eyes
• grading at school so that I could come home with empty hands
• thinking Christmas, and sneaking some early Christmas music when he is not in the car with me
• listing and counting gifts, a bond with mom
• taking them up on their generous offer - "you can invite yourself over any time!"
• picking up my love after a long day apart