Halloween and other happenings

Halloween was fun. Gabe was Han Solo (and I am quite proud of myself for figuring out how to make the boots and the holster out of pleather), and Chi was the Cat in the Hat, but he refused to wear his red bow tie. Oh, well. They did not trick or treat long because they were cold and because my kids felt like 2/3 full buckets were plenty full. I love that they don't feel like they need mounds of candy. We are very socialist with candy and treats around here; they were automatically going to combine it all into the candy/treat jar for everyone, but, partly because they ought to enjoy their own loot, and partly because it wouldn't have fit in the jar, I had them keep their buckets separate for now.

Gabe picked an elaborate Star Wars plan for his pumpkin, so I had to carve his, but for the first year Gabe did carve a pumpkin himself. We bought extra this year for decoration, so he was able to have his Star Wars, and still have one with a simple face he could try. He did alright. Chi just got to choose the shapes for his pumpkins face. Neither of my kids like pumpkin guts so Matt had a lot of scooping to do since I was busy drawing and carving.

I was accepted into a juried art show (juried means a judge decides if you get into the show or not, so it's more prestigious than an open call). It's at an art center here in town. The theme was Crystals and Wonder: the Art and Science of Snow, so I did a watercolor of a single snowflake. It's a microscopic view that is semi-abstract, meaning it looks like a snowflake, but it's simplified down to it's essence. Now, we will see if it sells. Part of me would like it to because I have never sold any art work (I give it away usually), but I don't have great shots of it for my portfolio so part of me hopes it doesn't so I can get better pictures. But that doesn't really matter. I am just proud of myself for get out there with my artwork. It's hard to risk the rejection.

And an update on school for Gabe: we've talked (and talked) with his teacher and principal and I think things are going to get better. They are finally addressing the advanced readers with a separate reading group and Gabe likes that so far. They are also address the math with an advanced group that does do extensions now instead of just working fast and sitting around. I'm still doing spelling and flash cards at home, but Gabe really likes doing it and now it doesn't feel like I have so much extra to do. The important thing is that they are taking it seriously now, and they aren't annoyed with us yet. I do feel like everyone is wanting what is best for Gabe.