David and I have snarling a bit at each other recently. (Can I blame the jackhammer next door? I'd like to blame everything on the jackhammer next door.) So, I thought I'd focus on the good moments.

David showed me that four school balls had gone over the school fence into a neighbor's yard and asked if we could go get them. I dithered for a moment and then thought why not? We've had to do this with our neighbors that I don't know. We scoped out houses until we found the right one, rang the doorbell even though we were both nervous, and then tiptoed into the overgrown backyard and recovered all the balls. No other mom had been willing to make the trip.

David: Why are you talking to me in the "you're in trouble voice" when I am calming down?
Debby: You're not in trouble. I'm grumpy and trying to calm myself down.

I told David (much abused) that he had to come to dance class with me, but if we were fast, we could go to the library first. Then he had a long bathroom break. We made it to the library, in and out, in ten minutes and with some Garfield books to tide him through dance class. He was completely polite as he waited for me including letting a friend of mine teach him a secret handshake.

I told David he had to cut his long and dirty nails. Amazingly, he agreed without a fuss and even suggested I cut his toenails.

David gives the best hugs in the world.