15 DEC 25

Yali is very busy that morning during Creative Writing... carefully crushing La Croix cans (or probably knock-off La Croix) into geometric patterns...

...while the mobile mechanic is examining Puck's Lincoln in the carport in about a 7 degree windchill...

...and Puck returns from two days at J's to check in with his cat... who was prowling in pitiful ye-owls the previous night with his boy still out of the house...

Patience and I are back from play therapy and Target holiday shopping for dance teachers...

...as I scoot her and Yali outdoors for the remaining light of day...

...and wrap up enchiladas into the oven to a little Christmas Elvis...

...just as Yali and Patience burst back into the kitchen... “PATIENCE! PATIENCE! COME THIS WAY! COME THIS WAY! IN HERE QUICK! QUICK! IT'S OKAY! I'VE GOT IT! I'VE GOT THIS FOR YOU!”...

“Uh... guys? What's goin' on in there?... Trampoline injury?”

Yali walks importantly around the corner both hands emphasizing his words as he carefully explains the situation... “Patience and I were on the trampoline and I heard my head crash into her mouth and I heard a crunch... and it was like something cracked her tooth and I was like panicking...”

Patience walks out with a paper towel pressed to a bleeding lip...

“Anything loose in your mouth?”

“No” is her cheerful reply... “We're going back outside now!”...

Half an hour later they're back inside inhaling plates of fat enchilada wedges doused in sour cream before fencing class as the night pushes in...

“Mom?” **Yali thoughtfully** “When I'm older and I get a full job I'm going to take you to Mexican food”...

“Aw I would love to have Mexican food with you Yali...”

**nods** “And some chocolate too... do you know what?”

“What?”

**contemplatively** “Once when I was in school the kids there wondered why my skin was brown and I told them that once I ate too much chocolate and now I look like this”...