school party and Halloween party

Last Friday, SJ's school had their Halloween parties.  I was selected as one of the party parents.  The kids get their costumes on and then parade around the school.  All parents are welcome to view the parade, but only party parents get to go to their child's room.  After the parade was done, the kids returned to Mrs. Valentine's room.  The other party parent and I had set up games and a painting station.  The kids who brought in snacks passed them out.  We explained the game stations: Monster Candy Corn toss, Ghost Bowling, Pumpkin Painting, Bloody Penny Toss, Put a Ring on The Black Cat's Tail and Guess How Many Candy Corns.

The kids milled around the room and chose the activities that they wanted to do.  Some chose to eat some of their snacks and others just socialized.  I love getting to do a party.  It is so nice for to see SJ interact with his peers.  When I am witnessing this, I almost forget that SJ is on the spectrum.  In those moments, he is just another 5^th grader in a Super Mario costume. 

The party lasts for about 45 minutes, but the time flies during the party.  Before I knew it, it was time to get the kids packed up to go home. 

SJ had a great time.  He loved being in his Super Mario costume (and he looked so cute!)  SJ's classmates had some great costumes.  There were peacocks, old ladies (of course those were boys), witches, reapers, clowns and Star Wars characters.  My favorite was a headless scientist who was carrying a man's head in a jar. 

After the party, we went home to get ready for our Halloween party for our friends.  Our friends arrived around 7.  We had dinner and the girls decorated pumpkins.  (I had pumpkins for the boys too, but I guess they are too cool for a craft!)  We got some pictures of the kids.  The kids then split up.  The boys played video games while the girls watched Hocus Pocus.  Since the kids were playing nicely, it gave the adults time to relax.  It was a great night.  We have great friends, so it is always nice when we can get together.