mike gave a presentation today. it was only 15 minutes long, but it went well. also, his partner in crime thought he had made something really useful. turns out it was not what he thought, but it might still be useful! everybody hope for the best.

last week the kids in storytime were so hyperactive that i had to cut short "the little red hen" and just dance and sing with them. even when storytime was over, they kept leaping around the department. this week, i prepared several short stories and they kept looking up at me like "come on, there has to be more to that story." also, can anyone explain why my kids don't like falling down? ring around the rosy, the most popular falling down song EVER, just doesn't really go over with them.

we went to see the rockefeller tree yesterday. i thought maybe it was still alive (can you imagine transporting roots and dirt and everything?) because i figured people would throw a fit if a tree that size was being cut down every year (don't tell me about the rainforest, i know about that). turns out, it's dead. they donate thousands of tons of mulch to the boy scouts and the main part of the trunk goes to some obstacle jumping sport. well, it's beautiful while it lasts, i'll give it that much.

most of the stores downtown had beautiful window displays. one store has gigantic snowflakes along its front face that light up in time to "carol of the bells". cartier, the jewelry store, wrapped its entire building in a large red ribbon made of twinkling lights to make it look like a gift box.

fortunately, diamonds do not entice me. unfortunately, i think that by the time i leave this city i will own a pair of knee-high boots. it just can't be avoided.