Halloween

We headed up to Davis on Friday to celebrate Halloween with the La Familia Sacramento. We arrived shortly before dark and, after pumpkin carving, dressed the kids in all their Halloween splendor and went in search of candy. I don't know if you can tell by the hat, but Joseph went as a Chef this year. Complete with Crocs. Sophia was Alice and Sal was Mickey Mouse with his duck. I also want to note that the picture on the right was my attempt at the classic Halloween shot. In other words, it was too difficult to get them all in one spot spontaneously to get a nice, artistic shot.

Darkness had fallen on the quiet street. Tall oak and elm trees formed a canopy overhead that partially blocked the first drops of rain. Leaves fell and swirled around our feet, sticking to our shoes and covering the sidewalks with a kaleidoscope of orange, red and yellow revealed in the beams of our flashlights. Joseph clutched Chad's hand as they followed Sophia to the first door. She reached up and knocked.

Side note: For days, we'd practiced trick-or-treating. We watched cartoons, mimicking the cry of "Trick or treat!" until we were sure Joseph was ready. One of the reasons we wanted to go to Davis was for the Cousin Courage we were sure Sal and Sophia would provide. Joseph is always a little more daring when he's around his cousins.

Joseph looked over at his shoulder at me and smiled. Then, the door opened. As Sophia and Sal rang out, "Trick or treat" Joseph turn and ran back to me, burying his head against my legs. The kindly neighbor put candy in Joseph's bucket, trying to win him over. Sophia rushed past on her way to the next house, grabbing Joseph's hand in hers and sweeping him away.

Side note: Sophia is a great big sister and older cousin. She's so patient with the little guys, always there to help them out. I know that when we're all out together, I can ask her to hold Joseph's hand and there's nothing that will make her break that hold. I don't have to worry about him running into a street or getting lost. As a fellow big sister, I know a good one when I see her. (And no...I'm not just saying this because Nicole visits Mandyland.)

By the time we got to the last house, we'd survived a downpour, a slip and fall, and, at one point, a car that almost came down the block. Not to worry...each child had at least two glow sticks on them and were surrounded by adults wielding flashlights at a two to one ratio. No children have ever been so safe on the streets.

By the time we got to the last house, Joseph was running ahead with Sophia, using his candy bucket to knock on the door and walking into perfect stranger's doorways to get the candy.

They had so much fun.

We came back to the house, a little damp, but in great moods. A nice neighbor had handed out umbrellas when the downpour started. (Yes...it was yet another visit to 1950's land.) The kids broke into their candy, Joseph unwrapping but not eating. He just doesn't care for sweets. Not to worry...he has a Mommy and Daddy more than willing to eat whatever he unwraps.

All in all, a great Halloween. Joseph is still asking if he can go trick-or-treating. Hmmm...I may have to dress him up and trick-or-treat Rachel's house.