Crossing off, hyacinths and how was your day.

1. To tuck a list and a pen into the pocket of my knitted coat, and to cross off items as we go around town.

2. I make a detour to pass the garden with planters full of blue and white hyacinths, because they smell so good in the still air.

3. "Today," I tell Nick, "Alec grabbed the lion on his baby gym and pulled it off." It's the first time he's held a toy, rather than just batting at it.