costumes

John and I are thrilled that both kids designed their costumes and put them together with materials we already had in the house.

David is Darth Vader. He's wearing a solid black long sleeved shirt, solid black legging type pants, black gloves, and black scarf that he can see through over his face. Oh yeah, a black yamulkah to cover the rest of his hair. If he weren't carrying the red light saber, you might think he was a ninja, but he's solid in his identity.

Rose is Mother Goose based on the character in the Nutcracker Ballet. She's been planning this all year. She's wearing a tutu under a long blue skirt (dress up box staples), granny glasses, the cape she asked for for her birthday, and her hair in a bun. She's also carring a basket with a goose and a book of Mother Goose poems. She was considering how to hang her groovy girl dolls under her skirt like the little kids under Mother Goose's skirt, but the thought of those dolls with nooses around their necks wasn't working for me, so she went kidless.

trick or treating on Greenwood

It didn't rain. No really, it didn't rain. I think last year's Halloween entry heavily featured rain. This was a bright sunny day. David only did ten minutes before I whisked him off to a birthday party. So, Rose and Daddy ended up doing the whole street, 1.5 miles. That's a lot of candy. But, Rose gave up the gluten pieces to Daddy and split the rest with David. Some days she is really nice.

the harvest hootenanny

I love the altered reality that is Halloween. I love not recognizing friends, admiring their creativity, and taking the pulse of the culture by how many ewoks are out there compared to Harry Potters. I think the whole school turned up for the unsanctioned school Halloween event. The haunted house was so spooky and mysterious. And then we got dental hygiene goody bags. The lunch hall was beautifully decorated, but the live band was loud. Too loud for David. So, much to Rose's frustration, we did not stay long.

Halloween night

Unfortunately, I spent the day rushing around, getting nothing done, and coping with a flat tire. So, I did not go into the evening ready to be imbued with magic. But, the children did. Once I finally got outside with the glowing moon and all the Harry Potters, witches, and wicked cats, I felt much better. We trick or treated in my mom's neighborhood where people decorate well. The kids get more adventurous and independent every year, but they also still get deliciously scared.