Voting: In a very boring local election. We're voting for freeholders and county executives as well as a few bond issues. The results are pretty much a foregone conclusion, and I can't bring myself to get excited about any of the contests, but I vote anyway as a matter of principal. I show the twins which levers to pull; they get much more of a kick out of it than I do.

In other election news, Daniel was elected News and Mail person of his class. He said he wanted to be President, but his friend Danny won that election. I'm not surprised: Danny is a born politician. Daniel did, however, win out over two other candidates for the News and Mail job, so he is satisfied.

Weather: A dreary, rainy, blustery day. After breakfast I went upstairs to our bedroom, where I found all three cats happily ensconced: Max on the floor and F/X and Amber on the bed. They looked so comfy and cozy, I wished I could join them there instead of heading out into the rain.

Godfather Envy

Tab's best friend, Don, was out visiting from California last month. Don also happens to be Daniel's godfather so we brought Daniel with us when we went out to dinner with Don and his wife, Flavia. Don gave Daniel Pokémon stickers and a "Window-Walker," a squishy, sticky, multi-tentacled plastic thing that crawls down a window or mirror when tossed there. For someone without kids himself, Don has remarkable insight into what would appeal to a six-year-old boy.

A few weeks ago Stephen's godfather, my friend Jeff, sent up a belated birthday gift for Stephen from Virginia. It was a kid's camping kit, consisting of a belt with all kinds of cool things to attach to it: a water bottle, a plastic snack box, a flashlight, and a small shovel. Stephen was captivated by his present, proudly wearing the belt all day and showing off his treasures to a jealous Matthew.

"Who is my godfather?" Matthew wanted to know.

"Uncle Jody. He lives far away across the ocean, so you won't be seeing him for awhile. But he'll probably bring you something when he's back here for Christmas," I said, trying to soothe him.

"You know what, Reno? At Christmas, Uncle Jody is going to bring me stuff, and you can't play with it," Matthew said to Stephen.

To make matters worse, as far as Matthew is concerned, Jeff himself is back here in New Jersey for a work-related visit this week. Last night he came over for a visit, bringing with him Stephen's Christmas gift, wrapped in colorful paper. Though we quickly put the gift away in the attic, it was out of sight but not out of mind.

I was especially pleased, therefore, when I opened the mailbox today and found something addressed to Matthew. "Guess what, Matthew? You got a card from Uncle Jody!" Jody had enclosed a generous check, which will go into Matthew's savings account. Though Matthew doesn't care about the money now, one day he will be grateful.

In the meantime, he was thrilled by his card and the message Jody wrote, which he asked me to read to him several times. He even took the card to bed with him tonight.

Sometimes it really is the thought that counts.

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