The 12 Days of Halloween

OK, not 12, but enough. Halloween is no longer a single day event for us around here. Since Hallie was a year old, we have had at least two days of goody bags, candy and costumes. To accommodate the M/W/F and T/TH preschoolers, the Children's Center has two parties and costume parades so no one misses out. True, Hallie barely remembers last year (Mom and Dad are glad it's blogged) and she only had one day thanks to an ear infection and we were only sleeping at 4 hour clips this time last year. Still, it's sweet to look back at her pictures and video as we embark upon Anna's journey into the world of preschool - complete with two days of Halloween.

By sheer coincidence, we avoided a third day of Halloween as our Mickey's Halloween Treat tickets were for the same night as the school Family Fun Night. I think we were all OK with that - especially Dad since dressing up is not his thing. Imagine! Since Hallie was taking flight as Peter Pan this Hallows Eve', she decided Anna should match her when they went to the Halloween Treat. She allowed Anna to wear her Tinker Bell costume for the night. Basically it gave a new meaning to 'being an accessory'. The girls did look very cute and drew quite a few looks. They had more fun with the fact that they had a Grandma AND a Grandpa to entertain. Mom and Dad were fine taking a back seat to The Grands as they were led around by the pair from Never Land until those little feet just wouldn't work anymore - Grands or kids - you be the judge.

It really worked out well to have had that Friday night trick-or-treating event since Halloween fell mid-week. As any teacher will tell you, forget Halloween, its the day AFTER that should be made a legal holiday. Now, being one the parent side we advocate that even more. Even if you call it a night by 8 o'clock, bedtime doesn't come until about three hours later - for the parents, that is. Seems strange that we need more time to wind down now than when we were kids. I guess the difference is that, back then, we were the ones being chased rather than being the chasers. Luckily our girls are still young enough that we can handle it reasonably well.

We went again to the 'Trunk-or-Treat event at church which, as each year rolls around, is getting larger and better attended. We look forward to next year when Anna can actually have some candy, and most likely will be able to eat things that have ever possibly been in contact with a nut. She had a bag full of pretzels and goldfish crackers like nobody's business. She managed to make off with a few m&ms and we 'took care of' the rest for her. Between the two event and costume parade at school, she did quite well for herself. She was the hit of the preschool in her peacock costume and really seemed to enjoy herself. The best part about this costume was that we knew she would wear the head. Neither of us can recall knowing a baby that actually enjoys wearing hats but now, we know one for sure. Anna LOVES to put on hats (and please don't start sending them to us because if you read back to the posting in January '07, you'll recall that we have hats and more hats). She often comes out of her bedroom with Hallie's hats, tilted ever so slightly, on her head - and not for a laugh! So the peacock head... no problem. It went one and stayed on until it was time to unzip her and put her to bed.

Hallie had a grand time reconnecting with her preschool buddies - there was so much to catch up on after two whole months of being in Kindergarten, after all. They all tore around together, having a blast, until Hallie realized that rough bark on a bare stomach is not the most pleasant way to experience a tree. She recovered quickly, checked out Anna's collection of goodies and bid her friends a quick farewell. She had to leave with her Grandma, you see. As always we stopped by to see family so Auntie and Uncle and Great Auntie and Uncle got to see the girls and give them some special treats as well.

So we didn't get around to cooking the special 'creepy' food or decorating from within the fall tubs stored away. All in all, we had a fun holiday and, most importantly, got to see it through the eyes of the girls. We're glad it's about them and since this is what Mom and Dad have always aspired to... they think they're in a pretty good place.