1. At 1:15 David and I head off for the library. Unfortunately, I forget my one overdue item at home, but otherwise, it's very productive. David and I manage to return old books, pick up new books, and check them out with a minimum of fuss though I do have to forcibly remove his hands from the infrared scanner.

2. Down one hill and up another to the DMV. My birthday is right around the corner, and I need to renew my license. Coping with government bureaucracy is never pleasant and doing so with a toddler in tow is less so, but I am prepared. We read the books we just got, run the school bus up and down my arms, and check out the water fountain. It only takes a half hour until our turn, and I manage to pass my eye test with David talking away. I go to get my picture taken and things slow down. A mother has brought her daughter in a cast with crutches and can't understand why the girl isn't allowed to take her driver's test. She wastes all our time making a big fuss. Luckily, David continues to be cheery and amuses himself by standing in my lap. I get my license!

3. Up, up, up the hill to the park. The slide, the sand box, the twirly slide—we spend over an hour here and don't even get to the swings. It's so relaxing to take David to the park these days. I don't have to hover as he climbs, and he'll do a lot of independent play in the sand box.

4. Back down the hill. A quick trip to the ATM machine.

5. On our way to the toy store, I spot a drug store and slip in for the airplane ear things since I'm flying in exactly a week.

6. At the toy store, David plays with the trains while I shop for the two birthday parties coming up. I find My Father's Dragon, a book written by a relative of John's. This makes me very happy. I manage to lure David back into the stroller, and we head back up the hill. We are home by 4:45.