Halloween

This is a little late but Halloween was a lot of fun.  As usual, Peter wore a variety of costumes depending on the event.  Pirate Magician to the trunk-or-treat, Spiderman to his school Halloween party, and a Knight in shining armor w/horse and sword for trick-or-treating. What a blessing it is to have siblings and lots of old costumes.  Especially since his desired costume - Kirby - arrived much too large from Amazon.  He'll have to wait a few years before he fits into that one.  One size may fit most, but that doesn't include my little peanut Peter.

He was a good sport about it and we had a lot of fun at all of the events anyway.  We also had a great time decorating Halloween cookies.  Bella didn't go trick-or-treating, but she and the rest of the marching band wore costumes as they visited middle schools and performed on Halloween.  The whole saxophone section dressed up as Umpa-loompas from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, complete with green wigs and orange faces.  They looked awesome.  I was my usual warm and cozy Tigger.  It's the perfect costume for chilly Michigan October evenings.

No pictures from the school party because I was too busy helping to run the event.  One sad story from that - Peter knew I was coming to help with the party, but when I arrived, I was assigned to work in a different classroom.  He was at recess, so I couldn't tell him.  I hoped his teacher would let him know, but she didn't.  He came in from recess and didn't see me.  Rather than ask where I was, he assumed I was just late and waited.  All the other kids got snacks, went around to different rooms to play games, do crafts, etc. and Peter just waited for me.  I worried the whole time why I wasn't seeing him but told myself surely he's just having fun somewhere else.  After about 45 minutes, his teacher brought him to me, crying.  He collapsed into my lap and cried for a while longer.  Then he stayed in my lap while I attempted to run the game I was leading and simultaneously comfort him for another 15-20 minutes.  Finally he calmed down enough to explore and enjoy the party.  I felt so bad.  He'd been so excited to see me and thought I hadn't come.  Thank goodness his teacher noticed his distress and helped him.

I got a call last week from Peter's principal asking if I had time to talk.  Nothing can make your stomach drop quite like that question.  I don't know why I was worried, though.  He's a great kid.  Turns out he was nominated as the "character champion" of the month.  They have a different character trait (Respect, Responsibility, Empathy, Integrity, Grit, Confidence, Mindfulness, etc) they work on school-wide each month and then each teacher nominates a student from their class as the student who best exemplifies that trait.  Peter was nominated as the one who best displayed "respect" defined as "showing high regard for all."  They have an assembly each month to honor those nominated and parents are invited.  So I got to see him get his certificate from the principal.  Proud of that guy!

He doesn't love school but he does well there and I'm happy about how things are going and what he's learning.  

Bella got her senior yearbook photos this week.  I thought they turned out very cute.  Sorry about the watermarks.  I'm cheap and won't pay the $150 for the rights.

Christian continues to enjoy driving and has been making regular long trips with Kelly on Sundays for the sake of practice.  They also happen to visit some fun and beautiful places while they're out.  I'm really glad Kelly likes doing long drives like that. My nerves can't handle it unless I'm in control of the vehicle.  8 more months and he'll be officially driving on his own!