In third grade, we have The Hall of Presidents at Open House. It turned out to be easy for me this year; the rocking costume I put together for my son two years ago got a redux when my daughter also drew George Washington's name! Still, I count it as going the extra mile at school. I did buy hair paint, after all, and also rounded up a Harry Truman hat for a friend's kid.

Next week I'm making tea–fresh scones, clotted cream, jam, plus probably some banana bread and fruit salad–for the faculty meeting. I always give gift cards and thank you notes to my kids' classroom and specials teachers, who really, really deserve that and more, but since we've had or will by next year pretty much the entire faculty do stuff for my kids, so I decided to thank them all with a little afternoon treat. (My scones are terrific, by the way. I'm very vain about them, but at least it's better than bragging about my writing.)

~Brenda

Those of you who MADE Civil War costumes for your kids or even suggested it: Kudos to you, but there's no way I could do that! (I do have a full time job, I'm sure you've noticed.)

There is a company here that comes out to our school the day before the event and rents costumes to all the kids for about $20 each. Some parents opt to make their own so they don't have to rent.

I'm really proud that I have been able to give my boyfriend support as he has just started a new business venture and is also juggling exams on the side. I am proud to be his greatest cheerleader…coz I know he can do it 🙂

Also I wrote a short story in the first person as a male protagonist, something I've never done before. Usually my main characters have always been women in past stories, because being a woman I find it easier to write about women. The nice thing was that people who read the story enjoyed it. The icing on the cake was that all the men who read the story said they could relate and I wrote the character well…which made me mighty pleased.