After an exhausting day at work in which I dealt with both professional and personal issues (the latter thanks to the relentless blinking of an IM on my computer screen from an old friend), it was wonderful to come home to my kids whose only demands were that I sit down on the carpet to build a castle for the mini figurines that clutter the playroom.  The result?  My top 10 reasons to love being a working mother:

10. You take 2 extra cookies wrapped in a napkin from the office holiday party "for the kids."
9.  You have an excuse not to make your bed every morning (you know, the "mad rush" in the morning that everyone talks about)
8. The smell of Playdoh and scented markers on your hands at work - need I say more?!?
7. Your single colleagues at work who, come Monday morning, find your anecdotes about your child's weekend antics charming and funny.
6. Shopping for children's clothes/toothbrushes/last minute school supplies on your lunch hour.
5. You genuinely appreciate the opportunity to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt around the house.
4. You have more places to display your kids' artwork.
3. Your colleagues who are working mothers too who swap stories with you, support you, and understand you.
2. The work and the kids, of course.
1. The squeal of delight and "Mommy, you're home!" at the end of each day as you walk in the door.