Aspen's Been Selected

I think this is really cool. Aspen gets to do something very special tomorrow. Basically, all the kids in second and third grades (and others?) were asked to write their feelings about peace. They did so, and turned them in. The school principal, Mrs. Contich, then selected 5 to be read.

You guessed it, Aspen's was selected, and she'll be reading it with the school chorus tomorrow as they place their pinwheels for peace near the flagpole. Her text follows:

I think that peace would come to the world if all people were allowed to voice their opinion and are free to work and play and live where they want because peace is good for the world.

How cool is that!?

Purple Bracelet

Well, I don't have independent confirmation of this story, but I'm fairly sure it's mostly accurate...

So, Aspen was given an award of sorts at school today. You've seen the yellow Livestrong bracelets; Aspen was given a purple one with the words Character Counts by the school guidance counselor along with several other folks. It seems that two people from each class were given the award, which included having their picture taken, for random acts of kindness. Aspen and her good friend Sean received the bracelet because they had been "caught" staying after lunch for a moment to pick up other people's trash at the lunch table.

Sean and Aspen had also led a successful crusade at the school Mardi Gras event to get the lunch room custodian Jesus elected Mardi Gras King. (Note, the subject of the email that came out the following day from the school still makes me laugh. When you see a subject line that simply says, "Our Custodian, Jesus," don't you start thinking about bumper stickers?)

Regardless, I'm awfully proud of Aspen for being thoughtful even when no one was supposed to be watching.