Halloween

How quickly Halloween changes from a night to party in slinky outfits with friends to the hustle bustle of suburban trick-or-treating!

Our Halloween weekend started with trick-or-treating at Alina's office on Friday. Alina was the project manager for Halloween events at work so Steve picked up the kids from daycare and drove through the torrential rain to arrive just in time to enjoy trick-or-treating through cubicles and offices. Pretty much everyone at the office brings in their kids to enjoy the afternoon!

After that, Steve drove back through the monsoon, returning to daycare in time for the Halloween party. Elliott did not want to miss the party with his friends! Three of the four boys aged 3-4 dressed as Spider-Man. Steve snapped this adorable photo with his Blackberry. Rosemary's pumpkin costume was a hit among all the parents.

During the day on Saturday, we carved our two pumpkins. Elliott scooped out the goop with a spoon while Rosemary enjoyed cleaning her pumpkin with diaper wipes.

Steve masterfully carved faces Elliott picked out from sample sketches. Later, we set the pumpkins outside with glowing candles!

Since Halloween was on a Saturday, we had time to put on our costumes and pose for photos. Why can't Halloween ALWAYS be on a Saturday?? Ah, it was so refreshing not to rush home from work and scramble to get the kids ready. Someone is extremely excited in this photo.....

Steve was able to get both kids to smile!

After bundling up, we hit the streets with all the other parents of young kids around 4:30pm. The kids from our immediate neighbor families swarmed outside, brimming with excitement at about the same time. Everyone seemed to be looking out the windows, waiting for the crowds of kids to start heading up and down the street.

Rosemary especially had a blast toting her plastic pumpkin and collecting candy. Even when her bucket was filled to the brim at Alina's office, she would not let it go. Here she is, looking like such a big girl, walking down the sidewalk.

After a few houses, Alina and Rosemary returned home to finish passing out candy while Steve and Elliott continued to collect candy.

After the kids went to sleep, Steve and Alina rented Twilight to watch on TV with a glass of wine and air-popped popcorn.

Elliott woke up from nap time today, Nov 1st, and said "I want to go trick-or-treating!" We discussed how Halloween only comes once a year. October is an exciting month for Elliott -- first his birthday and then Halloween. Little does he know, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.

Maybe we can use this for our Christmas card!