This was the second Halloween that Ryan was able to let us know what he wanted to be dressed up as. Last year, he picked with paper choices a firefighter. This year, he wanted to be a SCARY GOBLIN.
We tried on some masks in Target. I was surprised that Ryan kept them on as long as he did (which was about 10 seconds).
We went to Party City and Spirit Halloween and we had a difficult time. It was about a week before Halloween and it was noisy and crowded. Ryan had a difficult time letting us know if any of the costumes would be what he wanted.
Later that week, I went to Walmart with Ryan. He was able to select a costume and an ax and he was very pleased with his selections.
Ryan informed us that he did not want to go trick or treating. I WANT TO HAND OUT CANDY AT HOME.
The day before Halloween, I decided it would be a good idea to actually have Ryan try on his costume. Unfortunately, within 2 minutes of opening it up, Ryan accidentally broke the elastic of the rather flimsy mask.
This was not a big deal to me, but I wanted to get Ryan a more durable one. I asked him if we could go get him a new one.
SORRY I BROKE THE MASK.
“Ryan, it is not a big deal. Do you want to try and pick out another one?”
YES.
So we went to Walmart. They had no masks left. The associates were very kind to Ryan and asked him questions and he spelled out his answers on the letter board. One associate called another Walmart that was nearby and had them hold a skeleton mask at the service desk for us.
I wasn’s sure that it was necessary to go to another Walmart as the Spirit Halloween store was in the plaza next to this one, so we headed over there.
After Ryan tried on one of the masks (and it looked awesome!) I asked him if he liked it.
LEARY OF WEARING A MASK. NOT SURE I CAN HANDLE IT.
“Do you just want to skip the mask? I can try and put some makeup on you to make you look scary.”
YES A MASK IS NOT NEEDED.
So we had a plan. And it came out great.
Once Grace and I got dressed (I was a mishmash of a headless horseman shirt with a Cookie Monster headband and spider earrings), Ryan spelled out: ALL OF US LOOK GOOD EXCEPT FOR DAD.
Here are Ryan’s thoughts about Halloween.
CALLING IT MEANINGFUL TO DRESS UP THIS YEAR. HAPPY TO CAPABLY PARTICIPATE. REALLY HAD TOO MUCH FUN IN MY COSTUME. FEELING HAPPY ABOUT HOW I LOOKED.
And to go with the spooky theme, Ryan and I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone last Thursday. It is the longest book that we have ever read together and he loved it. Each day he was excited to read more and more in it. Since we read a good portion during school hours, I thought that it was appropriate for Ryan to do a book report on it. We did an RPM lesson on how to write a book report and his finished product is below.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Book Report by Ryan Curry
Introduction:
THE BOOK IS CALLED HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE. IT SURE IS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER. IT IS WRITTEN BY J.K. ROWLING. IT TAKES PLACE AT THE DURSLEYS’ HOME AND HOGWARTS SCHOOL. THE GENRE IS ACTION AND ADVENTURE.
Setting:
THE DURSLEYS’ HOME IS FULL OF DUDLEY’S STUFF. LEARY OF IT MYSELF. HARRY LIVED IN A CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL IS HUGE AND DARK AND A PEACEFUL PLACE COMPARED TO THE DURSLEYS’ HOME.
Describe 3 Characters:
HARRY POTTER IS A BOY WHO IS REALLY DEPRIVED OF MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. HE ASSUMES HE IS A REGULAR BOY.
HERMIONE IS A GIRL AT HOGWARTS TOO. SHE IS ANNOYING AT FIRST BUT BECOMES FRIENDS WITH HARRY.
HAGRID IS A BIG, REALLY GOOFY GIANT. HE IS HARRY’S HELPER THROUGHOUT THE BOOK.
Plot:
IT IS EACH DAY DIFFERENT CHALLENGES FOR HARRY AND HIS FRIENDS. THEY WERE TRYING TO PROTECT THE STONE FROM LORD VOLDEMORT.
Themes:
FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD VERSUS EVIL WERE THEMES IN THE BOOK. FRIENDSHIPS BETWEEN HARRY, HERMIONE, AND RON AND HARRY AND HAGRID MADE IT A VERY COOL BOOK. GOOD VERSUS EVIL WAS A THEME TOO. GOOD WON IN THIS BOOK.
Thoughts on the book:
HARRY POTTER IS AMAZING. SOME THINGS I LIKED WERE THE IDEA OF REALLY REALISTIC DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CHARACTERS AND REALLY LOVED THE STORY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FANTASY IT SEEMED REAL.
PROUD OF MYSELF FOR WITHSTANDING MY NATURAL INSTINCT TO STAY IN MY OWN WORLD AND TO ENTER THIS ONE.
GEARING UP FOR BOOK TWO.
I am in my head. 
Ryan, I really liked reading your thoughts about Harry Potter. I enjoyed reading the whole series when I was in college and after I graduated. I watched the first movie, but I thought it was scary even though I knew what was going to happen. I don’t like to watch movies.
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I love reading Ryan’s book report. It makes me want to read it, because I think I am the only other person in the world who has not read Harry Potter. I loved all of your book report thoughts because it showed you really understood the theme of the book. My favorite part is when you said that you were proud of yourself for leaving your world to enter a new world. That is an awesome reflection. It is not hard just for you but for all of us. We get comfortable and safe feeling in our own places and sometimes we are hesitant to step out there and try something new. But you take the risk. I love that about you.
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Ryan, you and your mother (and family) are amazing. I am wondering if you writing level is above an 8 year old. I’m not a teacher, parent or much in touch with young people, but you seem more advanced than the average kid
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Dearest Ryan, I was your teacher a long time ago at Fammatre School in San Jose. I remember helping you with learning the alphabet and numbers and doing things with other kids like Willie. And just look at you now!! You’re reading such a wonderful book and writing book reports…WOW!! and your choice of Halloween costume was great! I’m so happy you are growing so well. You have a wonderful mom, dad and sister. Life is GOOD!!
Big hugs to all, Teacher Kathy. Kevin says Hi too.
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