Yesterday was the second part of our Thanksgiving festivities.  Per has been "in a mood" lately, which is the nicest way I can describe some pretty heinous behavior.  He's been acting purely bratty, in that even when he's getting what he wants, he still carries on with all sorts of unpleasantness.  Like yesterday.  He asked if he could go onto Mom D's computer to play.  I said yes, and all of a sudden there was stomping and door slamming and all sorts of mayhem.  Uh?  Since when does getting your way cause a tantrum?!  That wasn't in any of the parenting books that I've read!  He soon found himself facing a 15 minute timeout to think about his behavior, which calmed him down in the immediate.  All Dean and I can think is that he's getting ready for another huge developmental jump--the wretched behavior usually signals some new skill about to be acquired.  Like the two-three weeks of miserableness that were suddenly followed by Per understanding how to read. 

At the end of the gathering, there was another moment of Per miserableness, although in this case, we think the treats he'd consumed sort of contributed to that particular outburst.  We had plans as a family to go out to see some fireworks, and it looked like we wouldn't be going, with him acting so miserable, but I had a suspicion that it might be better NOT to lose that privilege, as it involved a good deal of walking and being outdoors.  No better way to wear down the sugar euphoria and get back to a normal state.  

I'm very glad I followed my instincts.  Per, while a bit manic and bouncy, was extremely well-behaved, and the show was fabulous.  There was about 200-500 people gathered at the band shell, and the high school chorus performed carols.  Then the fireworks were set off out in the field.  Because they were doing it at the far end of an open field, they were able to do a bunch of different levels, including strobe lights, roman candles, and of course big booming explosions way up in the sky.  We were right on the stone wall that separated the field from the front of the band shell, so we had a perfect view.  It was a little nippy, but not too bad, and the traffic wasn't horrible either.  And when we got home, Per was in a much better mood, having been "lunged" (as the horse lovers will understand).  He went to bed with no major issues.