Halloween 09

I've neglected my Jasper blog. Halloween came and went and my own mother had to request photos. Terrible.

This year Jasper chose to be a ghost. Just a plain sheet ghost. I don't know why he went so minimal but it was a great relief to me. Of course, I had a little trouble with the scissors.

Our neighbors also dressed up and we went as pirates. That's our downstairs neighbor--no kids of his own, just a kid himself.

Meanwhile, Jasper is thriving in his new school. He loves learning, is excited about reading and figuring things out. It's so amazing to witness--I couldn't be more happy with his education. He's having a great year.

Join the parade

Jasper plastered his glarch on the top of his helmet, put on his cape, and requested a parade. Alas, none of the kids at the playground would join him. But he did looks smashing. Fortunately a few days later we joined friends to make musical instruments out of garbage and march in a parade at the High Line. Jasper continues to amaze me with his bold creativity--but then I remember he's Lane's son.

How to make glarch (aka gack)

image shows larger than recommended amount of starch

Mix one 7.6-ounce bottle of glue with 3 ounces of liquid starch.

Add food coloring. Squash with your hands.

Smoosh into a ball and squeeze out extra liquid. Enjoy!

WARNING TO PARENTS: glarch sticks to fibers, so keep away from rugs and upholstery! We learned this the hard way. A few times.

Brain-sucking glarch alien attacks the nativity

News report by Jasper. The city has been immersed in serious disaster. Glarch monsters are hanging all over buildings! They have been sucking people's brains for years. And that's the end of our broadcast for today.

School's out for summer

We're off to a great start here. Yesterday Jasper found where I'd hidden the secret stash of candy and ate half of it. Today, at noon, we're both still in our pajamas, Jasper put his breakfast of pancakes in a drawer (don't ask) and ate marshmallows instead, and we're listening to the radio and watching TV at the same time while Jasper grinds moon sand and play dough into the table.