October 31, 2008: A Zoo and A Whole Pirate Family!

For the past month, Brenden's teacher Mrs. Moerke has been sending home information about Mrs. Moerke's Zoo...a place where all the first graders become animals, and they talk about themselves. Parents receive admission to the zoo through donation of school supplies, and get to buy bags of food for the animals for 25 cents.

For the past week Brenden had been working diligently memorizing facts about the panda, and lines for his class performance. For the past several days, while the kids did this,

, I worked diligently on a panda outfit for Brenden to wear! Now, I don't know how to use a sewing machine very well so I did it by hand.

It turned out pretty cute, and Brenden looked adorable in it!!!

He did a great job speaking and telling facts about the panda. He also enjoyed talking to his friend Kyle while the whole class was singing! (...that Bren!) And everyone thought the giant bamboo stalks that Grandpa Steve collected for the pandas were awesome!

The panda exhibit at the zoo was a definite success!

Later, we got dressed up and drove down to a nearby Halloween event with Jay, Sarah and Ryan. They had music and all of the stores were passing out candy. It was WAY better than trick or treating in our dud neighborhood!

Ethan went has the "head legendary" pirate, and Brenden and I were his followers. Sarah was a cheerleader and Ryan was Piglet. So fitting! :)

While we were having frozen yogurt, some people walked by and said "Look, a whole pirate family!" Aww it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :)

On Main street they had a band playing. Ethan and Brenden showed us some of their break dancing skills! Here's Ethan in action:

What a fun day!

Brenden got to be a panda and a pirate.

Ethan was the legendary leader, and an awesome dancer.

And I was a very proud pirate mama, indeed.