So maybe time for an updat on the original subjects, not that I wish to detract from the way this thread has evolved.
Last thursday my daughter, Autumn Rose, got to be special helper in preschool. That means she got to bring the snacks and pass them out during snack time, an 'honor' she looked forward to for days. We carefully selected some prepackaged snacks after clearly examining the labels and submitted them to the school the day before for review. Everthing was a go for thursday when Melvin had a reaction just prior to snack time. The teachers administered an 'epi pen' and called paramedics. There was no explanation, nor rhyme nor reason as to why he had the reaction because he had consumed nothing nor yet had any physical interaction with the other children. Autumn was very disappointed that she did not get to give him his snack, but she did make Melvin a get well card that night which she insisted we deliver at once- it was a good thing we had his address in the school directory that came out just that day.
On Friday they had a bookfare. This featured Clifford, the Big Red Dog, as the guest of honor. Also, the children were encouraged to come in their pajamas. Autumn got several hugs from 'Clifford', actually one of the teachers in a rather ratty mascot outfit, but Autumn was pleased nonetheless. I got several pictures.
Melvin was there with his Mom who carried him throughout the night apparently being concerned least he interact with so many people. She had to have arms of steal because she held that approx. 40lb. child for over an hour without relief. She was quite nice stopping over to thank Autumn Rose for the card.
The highlight of the evening for me was when I went up to pay for our book selections. We had several I had never heard of before, selected primarily because my daughter liked the cover art. Three of the books featured animals, one was an interpretation of the story of Noah- a story that continues to fascinate her as she just does not see how that many animals could be gotten on one boat, and finally, my selection, a compendium of Curious Georg stories. The lady checking out the books commented on what lovely choices all were except when she got to Curious George. She actualy asked if I wanted my child to be reading stories where a single man has such a close attachment to a monkey. I could not tell if this was a joke or a serious concern. I took it as a joke and said it doesn't seem to have hurt Micheal Jackson any. At that point she handed me my purchases and said "Indeed". "Well it is your daughter I suppose."