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 : )
I can't believe our baby is now 2! We had a small gathering on Tuesday
(Election Day) to celebrate the occasion. Nana was in town and our
friends Maria & Mark and their son Beck joined us as well as our
landlords Tommy & Laura and their daughter Alexia. (Laura and Alexia
have been babysitting for Morgan and Dean so they know Dean well by
now). I'm not sure that he grasped what was going on as he kept wishing
everyone else a Happy Birthday, but I think he knew something
special was happening from the gifts, the cake and people singing to
him. I made a fire truck cake which he picked at -- I don't think Dean
has inherited my sweet tooth! Later he looked confused at the cake,
saying "fire truck broken." Thanks to everyone for the gifts and
birthday wishes!
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...
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 : )
