Second to the right and straight on till morning.

Between Christmas and New Years we went to Colorado for a week. Skiing, snowboarding, major mountain majesty. That was some awesome awesomeness, let me tell you. But one of the funnest things we did was go to a movie. Peter Pan. Now that was a great movie! It was delightful, well-cast, and the special effects were terrific. But best of all, my kids and their cousins dressed up in costume. Before we left for Colorado, Grace called all her cousins, gave them their character assignments, and instructed them to come prepared. She and I went to Wal-Mart and bought some green fabric to make Luke’s costume. We also found a light blue nightgown, satin slippers and ribbon to make hers.

I cut out a tunic for Luke, tattered the shoulders and bottom edges, and laced up the sides with leather cord. With his gray thermal underwear, a black belt, and his calf-high black leather boots with silver buckles, he looked like a cross between Link from the Legend of Zelda and a rakishly handsome Peter Pan. Hottttttt! :o)

Grace was Wendy. She tied a long strip of pale blue ribbon around the gown to make an empire waistline with a bow in back, and she wore another blue ribbon in her swept up dark blond curls.

Their cousin Nathan made a keen pirate in khaki pants cut off at the knee, knee socks, black chunky shoes, a white long sleeved shirt and black vest, eye patch and knit cap. Luke let him borrow his pipe.

Cousin Anna was the perfect Tigerlilly: Long brown braids, a fringed indian dress, head band and moccasins.

Cousin Ashia rocked as a punk Tinkerbell: Pink tutu, black sneakers with pink shoestrings, hair done up funky like two blond antennae, foil covered wings, sparkly powder on her face, and a wand with a star on the end.

Cousin Brandon looked like the sophisticated John: Top hat, glasses, nightshirt, umbrella.

Cousin James, the youngest at ten, was the obvious choice for Michael: Large t-shirt, PJ bottoms, teddy bear.

Cousin Pierce completed the cast as Captain Hook: Scarlet red bathrobe, long naturally curly hair, white shirt, brown knickers, white knee socks, black shoes, pirate hat, coathanger hook.

THEY WERE AWESOME!!!

Bear in mind that all these kids, except James, are in high school or college. And they were all totally excited about this. They posed in the theater lobby for pictures and sat in one long row in the theater. One movie-goer asked if they were a drama club, and looked surprised to learn they were all related and just dressed up for fun. Another man who came with his family purposefully sat near them and identified each character for his kids. The concession stand workers thought they were great.

I suppose some families might think us a bit odd, but my kids and their cousins have been playing Peter Pan since they were small children. Neverland is in their blood. They do believe in fairies.

I think (and hope) they always will.