Duchess turned fifteen! She's thriving, and also pretty much mad at me all the time, so I'm not going to invade her privacy by writing any more about her. Suffice it to say that she's come a long way.

In other news, we're all fine. Skipper's also thriving; she has a nice bunch of friends, reasonably decent teachers, and fifth grade is feeling pretty comfortable. I'm still trying to figure out how to be good at my new job, but loving how much I get to learn.

Halloween: Skipper went trick-or-treating with her best friend - they planned and executed a weird coordinated costume concept in which they were bank robbers but somehow opposite? At any rate, they had a great time. Skipper's best ever Halloween.