Halloween For Beginners

It may technically been Harry's third Halloween, but really it was his first foray into the realm of door-to-door candy grubbing. We put the kids into the wagon and off we went. Harry hopped out at each stop (if it was a spooky, dark doorway, he needed mom to pick him up, but otherwise he knocked on each door) and with some prodding said "trick or treat!" He made sure to follow-up with a hearty "thank you" or "happy Halloweeeeeen." If he received two piece of candy he offered up both.

Charlotte and Harry were both super well-behaved, which was a shocker after receiving their H1N1 shots earlier in the day. Many thanks to Eliza for line-sitting for three hours in the drizzle while the kids attended a holiday party. She's a good grandmother, that one. If you're looking for scary on Halloween, mass inoculation clinics is it.

Charlotte complained not once as we rattled down the sidewalks in the dark, her brother smooshing her toes every time he climbed back into the wagon.

Despite the on-and-off rain we had a lot of visitors, including some guests -- Cynthia came to see-off the would-be trick-or-treaters (she sewed my matchy-matchy skirt to twin Charlotte's pumpkin fairy costume) and Annie, dressed as a bear, was on our stoop waiting for us when we got home. Harry very happily settled on the steps, candy bag wedged between his legs, and gorged on chocolate and lollipops until it was time to for bed. I was sure he'd wake up Sunday and demand his many leftovers, but he's not mentioned them once. I hear the trash bin calling.