A Pilgrim and a Play

Luke recently had to create a clothespin pilgrim.  That should say "Luke" had to create it.  He did do most of the painting.  I found some inspiration online and Lamar and I created the outfit.  It was fun.

Luke loved it.  He was sad we had to leave him at school.  But the Thanksgiving display at school has now been dismantled, and little pilgrim is back home, sitting on our mantel.

Luke was also in a program at school last week.  I spent some time at school helping with all the prep.  They performed for the school on Wednesday and for parents on Thursday night.  I was present for both performances.  On Wednesday he got a bit nervous at the beginning as all the kids were coming in, but kept his eyes on me and did great.

Thursday night, I dropped him off with his classmates in his classroom and went to have a seat in the gym.  There were a LOT of parents, grandparents, and siblings there.  It overwhelmed me a bit when I saw the size of the crowd.  Fortunately Lamar and my parents had scored good seats in row 3 of the bleachers, right in front of where Luke would be performing.

As the kids filed in, I saw Luke pause at the door.  He kind of lost his place in line he was walking so slowly, taking it all in.  Mrs. H saw the problem and took him by the hand.  He stood in the back row, not in his assigned seat in the middle row, and looked really apprehensive.

The show started and I knew he was struggling.  I said to Lamar, "Let me out.  He's panicking."  Lamar said, "Just give him a second."  I said, "He needs to see where we are."  So we both stood just a little and waved really big.  He spotted us, smiled, and relaxed.  And about 10 seconds later he was totally in character.  He took his spot at the mic and said his line:

"And the chicks say 'cluck'"!  After delivering his line he went to his proper seat and continued to perform with gusto for the rest of the show.  He frequently looked back at us for a thumbs up.  His face lit up with a smile each time we cheered him on.

Big finish from one of the songs.  Several folks commented to me on what a performer he is.  One mom said, "He's amazing.  He really should be a performer!"

Feeling proud after a good show!

My little chick poses in front of the awesome backdrop painted by another 1st grade mom.  She is SO talented! 

Luke and Mimi after the show.  Mimi made all 17 chick hats for Mrs. H's class.  She rocks.

Thinking back to the show, I think it's kind of allegorical of Luke's childhood thus far.  He got off to an apprehensive, slow start.  He needed some help from a teacher.  I was too eager to swoop in.  Lamar knew he needed some time.  He actually needed a little of both.  He needed to know where his cheering section was.  He needed lots of encouragement.  But once he knew what to do, he was an absolute joy to watch. 

The Halloween Post

So Halloween is kind of a big deal around here.  I remember a very sad Halloween a few years ago.  Newly diagnosed 2 year old Luke was overwhelmed by any new experience, especially a crowd of people in crazy costumes.  I was trying to stick with an GFCF diet and the only thing about Halloween that brought him any joy was chocolate.  It was a rough time.

The next year, a remarkably improved Luke sported a Spiderman costume sans mask and a crazy Halloween hat (a costume a friend brilliantly named "Spiderman Goes to Mardi Gras"). 

 

I just got that photo from Facebook and posted it and was totally unprepared for how emotional it would make me.  That sweet 3 year old face, trying so hard.  Those were some long days, but somehow the years were short.

The next year Luke remembered a few things about Halloween, and participated in some costume planning.  And he really wanted Mom and Dad to participate in the costume wearing.  So, of course we did.

He loved this a lot, so much that he immediately began planning for the next year. 

He requested the grandparent join in the dressing up.  And they did.  Because Luke is very convincing.

This year's Halloween planning began last fall.  Sometime in August I made him commit to a family theme.  I had to get serious about costume creation.

We eventually settled on The Incredibles.  I think Luke made an excellent Dash.  He was such a poser at our pre Trunk or Treat photo shoot.

He posed us for the group shots too.  Luke gets a store bought costume.  Everyone else's come from things I have at home or can get for really cheap. 

Dash and Walmart version of Mr. Incredible.

Family shot before heading to Trunk or Treat #1.  The masks were already getting to us.

At Trunk or Treat.  We shed the masks immediately following the photo.

Our Trunk or Treat was large and crazy.  Tons of fun, but kind of overwhelming for our boy.  There was a dog there and a teenage boy in a turkey suit that Luke was not too excited about.

But we did see our friend Carley as Hannah Montana and had to take advantage of that photo op.  After this Luke was ready to head to Mimi and Papa's church for their Trunk or Treat.

Here we're attempting to show our super powers.  If you aren't familiar with the movie, Luke's character is super fast, my character is super stretchy, and Lamar's is super strong (which he is very subtly demonstrating).

Mimi and Papa were not left out this year.  Mimi is Edna Mole, the Incredibles seamstress.  And Papa is Mr. Huph, Mr. Incredible's boss (whom Mr. Incredible throws through about 15 walls.  We did not attempt to reenact that.)

A few days before Halloween while I was pouring our candy into our bowl, Luke came in and asked if he could have a piece.  Then he said, "Wait, let's pretend I'm trick or treating," and grabbed his bag and pretended to knock on an imaginary door and went through the whole routine.  Flashback to all those years we actually practiced trick or treating.  What a remarkable boy.  And sending my love to all those moms still practicing.

So Halloween is over and we are full swing into the Thanksgiving festivities.  On Monday Luke came home from school with a cardboard turkey to be disguised "so the hunter won't kill it and eat it for Thanksgiving dinner."  At Luke's request we created a Little Red Riding Hood costume for the turkey.  Last night I was struggling with the shoes and had to get Lamar's assistance when he got home from work.  Covering big turkey feet with construction paper shoes is no easy task.

This morning Luke presented his turkey to his teacher and announced, "My mom couldn't make turkey shoes, so my dad had to do them."  No secrets here.