Benjamin is leaning around the corner into the living room peeking at me.  He has just put on his pajamas and robe and is afraid I'll get onto him, I guess.  He says he wants to play Aliens.  I have no idea what pajamas have to do with Aliens but whatever pleases his little five-year-old heart.  

It's 2:30 in the afternoon and we just got back from the grocery store.  

Gillian has been under-the-weather.  Caught a bug that's been parading around our community.  Pretty arrogant of that little virus, don't you think?  She found  a pink toy cellphone at the store and decided it was the coolest thing in the world.  I didn't buy it for her.  I got many stares as we chugged out of there.

It is almost time to pick up C from school….one of my favorite I'm-so-blessed-to-be-at-home-with-my-children duties.  He bounds towards me, hair all-a-mess…usually with new holes in his clothes.  (What do they do at school anyway??)    I love responding in turn to all the kids that wave and say "Hi Mrs. Colin!!"  I ruffle his hair and thank goodness he still holds my hand.  I soak it in.  Sometimes we race to the car – he always beats me.  

We drive a bit happier and we talk a bit laughier.  We act a little sillier on Fridays.  Colin writes "TGIF!" immediately on the kitchen chalkboard.  We relax.