Zeeke is still picking up several new fears a day and the Halloween season isn't helping. Some of the latest additions: Frankenstein, Spider-man, a rotten pumpkin on the way to school, the overflow drain on the bathtub, one particularly loud bus, a silly vampire sticker that he himself put on his chair, a friendly student teacher at music class, the button mirror that's hung in his room for half his life, and one of his night lights. It's a little sad, especially when he's really trembling, but at least he can communicate what's scaring him, and in most cases the situation is easily defused with some hugs and distractions.
Wednesday, Zeeke not only participated in the sports activity at school, but happily led some sort of parade.
Friday, Zeeke had a great time at the Halloween party at school (even though two kids were dressed as Spider-Man), but after getting scared by our first visit from trick-or-treaters decided he'd rather stay home and play Lego than go out, which was fine with us.
At his music class, they sing this song about taking a shower and for each verse they ask the kids to suggest what they should wash. This Saturday, Zeeke ran up and shouted "my junk!" then started singing, "Oh, I love to wash my junk." The teacher laughed, then pretended she didn't hear it. Fortunately he didn't demonstrate! Later in the day, Steve & Zeeke went to the library to pick up Karen from work. While playing on the computers, Zeeke told the girl next to him that he liked her hair.
Sunday, Steve & Zeeke braved the cold and wind to hang out at the playground while Karen did some chores. Decked out in the swell winter gear he received from Uncle Jay, Aunt Brenda, and cousin Avery last Christmas, Zeeke ignored the elements and insisted on staying for over two hours. On the walk home, Zeeke gleefully pointed out each and every pumpkin and let him know which ones were jack-o-lanterns and which were just plain pumpkins.