Steve Damm humor

Cooper plays clarinet in beginning band. Katie and I are treated to practice sessions almost every night of the week.

All of the music students -- band, orchestra and choir -- were invited to a costume party at school last night.

Cooper decided weeks ago that he wanted to dress as something super scary to a band student. He wanted to be a chipped reed. (For those of you who, like me, weren't completely aware: When the reed of a mouthpiece is chipped, there's no repairing. You must get a new reed.)

Earlier this week, while the costume was in production, I was telling Melissa, my best friend since eighth grade, about the concept.

She laughed loudly and declared it "Steve Damm humor."

She's right, of course. Steve would have loved Cooper's idea -- topical, sly, quirky.

Front and back of the chipped reed on Thursday night, just after completion

Another sixth-grade mom and I served cups of soda for the entirety of the party, so I was there but not really in Cooper's way. He reported after that not many people knew right away what he was. That didn't bother him a bit -- he shares not only Steve's sense of humor, but his confidence, too.

Coop at the party (chipped part of reed on top)