Happy Halloween!

We had a really fun Halloween this year, in part because this was Logan's first "real" Halloween. He understood the concept of dressing up and going trick or treating, carving pumpkins and of course, eating candy. It was a blast!

On Halloween Eve we had our pumpkin carving tradition and while Logan couldn't yet carve, he told us what kind of faces to make. He wanted them both to be scary pumpkins, telling us what shapes to make and what kind of teeth they should have. I tried to get him to help me scoop them out, but I guess that was a little gross for him. He's rather hit them with the spoon like a drum. After they were carved, Bill showed him how we put the candles inside to light up. Logan thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Carter's first experience with scary pumpkins. I don't think he likes them!

On Halloween morning we went to the tick or treating parade downtown. It's always a mad house down there, but this year was just insane. Since Bill works down there, we have a parking pass to one of the garages. As I was waiting in line to make a left in to the garage, the attendant brings out a barricade to close it up as it was at max capacity. We were supposed to meet our friends from The Club but now that I had to find parking elsewhere, I knew we would never be there on time. We parked many blocks away and just did the parade ourselves, which was still pretty fun.

We stopped by Bill's office so his co-workers could see the kids in their outfits. Most of Bill's friends were out on the balcony throwing candy down at the kids (some trying to pelt them in the heads). Logan saw them and tried to catch a few. He thought it was pretty funny and then he got hit in the head. He didn't cry, but I yelled up to Bill's co-worker asking if I should have brought ice packs.

After deciding that a block of trick or treating was enough with the entire town there, we made our way home. This parade is meant to be for smaller kids - tots and preschoolers since school aged kids are busy with their parties in class. I guess this year the teachers decided to take an in service day (or something like that) so the entire town was down there with kids as old as 12. With so many people crammed in the streets, it wasn't as enjoyable as it was last year. We didn't go nearly as long as we would have if it hadn't been so crazy.

Later that night we got the kids dressed in their costumes again to go trick or treating in our neighborhood. Logan was so excited to go out and knock on people's doors. The second house we went to had a very spastic dog that ran out of the house and chased Logan. It scared the living daylights out of him, especially since he's so afraid of dogs in the first place. He ran screaming bloody murder at the top of his lungs. I had to grab his arm and pull him in between me and the stroller. While Logan was trying to calm down, the owner ran after his dog who never listened and ended up running the neighborhood for a good while. This almost ruined the night for Logan because he didn't want to go knocking on people's doors, afraid that there might be another hyper dog to chase him. Bill carried him for a while and then held his hand as Logan rang the doorbells. He would get his candy and come back to me letting me know what kind of dog they had. Living in Colorado, pretty much everyone has a dog. When Logan discovered that not all dogs are disobedient, he was more comfortable going on by himself.

We live in a great neighborhood - very safe with lots of kids. The houses are big and everyone hands out really good candy. At the back end of our neighborhood, there are very large and expensive houses that give out the jackpot kind of loot for Halloween. Logan was so excited to see what kind of candy he got, carrying around a favorite bag of Skittles for most of the night. He was just so cute and looked so small with the older kids running around him, or in front of him to get to the candy first. I never laughed so hard when Logan said that he was going to "go ring the email" when he meant doorbell.

We skipped most of the neighborhood after we realized how much candy Logan would be getting. His bag was already half full after going to half of our cul-du-sac and one other street. We came home and Logan helped me give our candy to trick or treaters that came to our house. He thought that was pretty fun to have his turn to hand out candy in bags. And I don't know if this happens in other people's neighborhoods, but what is up with kids singing Christmas carols when you answer the door? It's not cute or funny, it's lame.

So, this year was fantastic. Logan lived it up and Carter slept the whole time during his first Halloween. We got enough candy to ensure we all get cavities and that I will not reach my fitness goal until it's gone. It was a great way to kick off this years holiday season!