I have this long-running joke with a student who always tries to sneak into my classroom during passing times. As I send her on her way, I cite some imaginary cost to sitting in our room. "That will be 20 pencil top erasers" or "I'll be needing a hot air balloon ride to cover the price of admission" or "That will be a stack of blueberry pancakes." Yesterday, she waltzed in, handing me a box of pancake mix. Smiling, she said, "Now I am all paid up," and proceeded to take a seat. #smallstories