We're heading to DC, on our kids' first trip east of the Rocky mountains. They are very very excited to be 1) seeing their cousins for the second year in a row and 2) flying on an airplane first thing in the morning. Before we go, just a couple of gems that might otherwise get lost in the emotional shuffle that the holidays promise to be. A student of mine gave Sava and Raya gifts as a way to thank me for writing her college recommendation. This student is well-loved by our entire family because she has babysat the kids in moments of need, and she shares a special connection with Sava--they are both analytical, interested in details, and removed from the "madding crowd." So, not surprisingly, she chose the absolute perfect gift for him, which happily kept him occupied over the past ten days. 630+ parts and 64 steps later, here it is, Sava's boat. He is very proud of his efforts, as well he should be.

 Earlier this week, Raya went through a two-day phase of maniacally wrapping in holiday paper whatever came her way. In the general distraction of our daily routines, we did not realize until well into the second day that she had been wrapping objects owned by other people (for instance, Sava) in order to give them to those people (namely, Sava). When we realized what had been happening, some of us lost our cool, and then, upon further consideration, we acknowledged that the motive had been both selfless and admirable: the girl wants to give things. And with the prospect of going to her cousins, she was desperately looking for anything to give. So a trip to the craft store later, she happily settled into "making" necklaces for her cousins and friends (not until she had made one for herself first, of course).

Sava brought home last week something that apparently had been sitting in school since Thanksgiving. It may well be my absolute favorite thing that he has ever written.

There are many things for which I am thankful. I love it when my parents bring me on hikes in the wilderness. When my mother makes my favorite pasta I am happy. "I wish you would be with me all the time and never leave me," I tell my parents. Most of all I appreciate it when my parents are happy, because then I am happy!
AMEN.
He seems to have forgotten to mention that he loves it when one of us flosses him while he peruses his favorite periodical.

Raya is super duper excited about not only going to visit her cousins in DC but also possibly having the chance for a "sleepover" with them at their house. Given that we'll be staying at the house, the chances, I'd say, are pretty high. When she asked recently for a "sleepover" with her brother--a most favorite activity for both--and we declined, she groaned, stomped her foot, and declared, "But that's not fair! You guys have a sleepover every single night." Yup, that's pretty much a precondition for becoming parents.

on her way to swim class: it's warm here but not so warm that people strut outside in their swimsuits

Finally, at the table last night, and for no particular reason (but completely in character with other similar statements she's made in the past), Raya:
"I think this was the best day! (pause) I have many best days in my life."
Seriously, I don't know where she gets that optimism. It's definitely not encoded in our Eastern European DNA.

being allowed, for once, to "charge" the electric car

Happy holidays and a very merry Christmas.