Halloween Extravaganza

What a build up of Halloween events we've had including a haunted train ride at the Zoo, a Stroller Strides Halloween Party (where Dean won best costume!), a carnival at Morgan's school, a pot luck at the neighborhood playground, and finally culminating in the boy's first ever trick or treating experience. The boys worked for weeks on their costumes -- Morgan a school bus, and Dean a double decker bus, or "da da bus" as he calls it.

First was the train ride last weekend on a chilly Saturday night. We had gone on the same ride last year and they had enjoyed it, but this year Dean was much more into trains and could actually walk around the paths at the zoo. They did not wear their costumes as it would've been difficult sitting in the train, but they nonetheless had fun seeing the animals with their flashlights, including a parrot that said "hello!" to them. From the haunted house and train ride there, we are learning that Dean is a little tentative of all things scary, wanting to be held and jumpy at times. And there was a time I had thought him to be such a dare devil...

 

On Monday, Dean and I attended the Stroller Strides party at the instructor's house. All the kids were so cute in their costumes and Dean won the costume contest for the second year in a row for his age group.








Then came Halloween day, kicking off with a carnival at Morgan's school where we had a potluck breakfast, visited with other families and the kids paraded around the school (even Dean got in on the parade!)

bus drivers on their lunch break

The day finally ended with a walk to the neighborhood park where apparently all the families with young kids gather before dark to play, parade around the tennis courts and visit with one another. On the 3 or 4 block walk home, we trick or treated at the homes along the way. In previous years, we had just stayed at home and answered the door in costume, so this was the kids' first time doing it themselves. Once they understood the concept that each house was going to give them candy, Morgan was all into it, wanting to knock on every door even if there were no lights on in the house. Dean caught on quick and could say "wick or weat" and "appy awo-ween!" He wanted to inspect each piece of candy as he got it rather than put it into the bag. Of course when we got home, Morgan wanted to spread out his candy and take inventory. Dean saw what Morgan was doing and followed suit. So all in all, a fun holiday with the kids, evidenced by the beat up school bus and double decker bus boxes sitting in the closet. Today Morgan asked me how many days it was until next Halloween : )