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The kids have reached “that age” where they are really getting into events. Claire has been looking forward to Halloween and wearing her costume for a couple of weeks now. Yes, Conor is on the young end and doesn’t have the time or event concept down but he quickly picked up on people dropping something in his bucket and that elated him.
At the end of September Claire and I began the halloween costume conversation. Right now she really likes anything Mickey or Minnie Mouse, she also happens to have a red & white polka dot dress in her closet and being the frugal mom I try to be I thought, perfect. Dress check, get the girl some ears and white gloves, paint her face and hello Minnie Mouse. When I asked her about it she turned and said, “actually mom, I’m going to be Tinkerbell.” Oh. I see. And so the quest began for the perfect costume. As we began to look for costumes, with the help of Meme, she turns to us and says, “mommy’s going to make my costume.” Oh. I see. After that, no store bought costume would do. The biggest issue being they were all green (yes Tinkerbell wears green). The second issue being I did not make it. I showed her a picture of a purple pixie costume “that’s not Tinkerbell mom.” She she clarified. “I am going to be purple-green atinkerbell.” A trip to Joann’s later, I was feeling stumped. The fabric selection for her costume left much to be desired but Josh found a purple tutu at 60% off there and so we were one piece closer. Later that week a trip to Old Navy unveiled purple tinkerbell pajamas. SCORE! Thank you Old Navy. Wings from her costume last year (which had the required touch of green) completed the ensemble and Claire was happy. Moving on to Conor. Claire was equally adamant about Conor having a Peter Pan costume made by mom (though I got away with not making hers). Thanks to Meme’s research, she found me a costume to sew for Conor here. And so went the costumes.
I have been awed at this little girl’s opinions regarding costumes for both her and her brother. I think Josh and I are in for it in the teenage years. Hopefully in the meantime we figure out how to guide and boundary those opinions so we are not totally stumped in the coming years.
we ran into more of the family while trick or treating on Saturday morning.
On to the trick or treating. The kids had a wonderful time on Saturday morning trick or treating at the downtown merchants and the weather was beautiful. They were accompanied by Mary Poppins, Burt the Chimney Sweep, the maid and two parents who were less than enthusiastic about dressing up and so did not. Halloween evening Burt and Mary reprized their roles and we hit up a few houses near my parents. This is where Claire really shone. “let’s go to another house of your friend’s Meme.” “Come on Mary, next house.” “maybe we should say it louder, TRICK OR TREAT.” to the door that had a light on but nobody answered. The funny thing is she was all about the trick or treating but could care less about the candy she and Conor scored – unless it was a lollipop. Conor was pleased to trudge along and mumble the occasional thank you and giggle whenever somebody put something in his bucket. If you were the fortunate handful of trick or treaters that made it to Meme & Pop Pop’s house, you were treated with a handful of candy from Claire. She was very generous in doling out the candy.
batting practice for Peter Pan
and for Tink who was also eating a sandwich.
hanging out with Mary Poppins
the aforementioned lollipop love
finally Peter with his hat on!
Tinkerbell’s marching orders!
And so, a successful Halloween. While pleased that she could now wear her tinkerbell jammies to bed, Claire was very distraught that Halloween wouldn’t come again next month. Her consolation was that as we drove out of our development this morning, she saw the workers beginning to string lights for Christmas (the teddy loop as she calls the lights).
If Claire had her way, our house would be full of pumpkins. Two weeks ago, on Columbus Day, we had planned to visit a big pumpkin patch in Vacaville. A chance of showers in the forecast for the evening left us feeling in the clear. Wouldn’t you know it, we pull out of the garage and it starts to rain. Really? Sigh. Ah well. It rained on us the whole way up to Vacaville and wouldn’t you know it, the pumpkin patch was closed due to weather. Since then, Claire has been asking almost daily for pumpkins and to visit a pumpkin patch. Last week Claire got her wish twice over.
First up was a date with friends at Joan’s pumpkin patch in Livermore. The drive out to Livermore was worth it. The kids had a ball walking around the old west town, the farm animals, the play equipment and of course, all the pumpkins. A special treat for mom, running into one of my former RDs from SPU. Great to see you Laura and meet your boys!
Pumpkins! Unlike her father, who is impressed by the enormous pumpkins, Claire is only interested in “Claire size” or “Conor size” pumpkins.
You know, just hanging out in the teepee!
Probably the highlight of the trip for Claire, feeding the goats.
and here’s Conor, harassing Landon.
more pumpkins!
Our second pumpkin patch trip landed us at Larry’s Produce. This time Josh was able to come along and of course, Claire wanted more pumpkins.
This time we came away with a carving pumpkin and a boatload of fruit for the upcoming week. Yay for Larry’s produce!
Halloween weekend kicked off with a bit of unstable weather but by Sunday it was an absolutely beautiful fall day.
Josh had class again on Saturday but with the assistance of my parents we got the kids dressed in costume and downtown in time to participate in the Benicia Main Street Trick or Treat Stroll. My sis and I participated in a similar event when we were kids. This was a wonderfully hosted event and I was reminded once again why I like living in a small(ish) town.
our reluctant garden fairy getting her first taste of candy.
Our “roaming” Garden Gnome getting a few winks.
The highlights of the stroll were Sailor Jacks who handed out peanutbutter covered pretzels in this darling witches shoe, very creative and not your average trick or treat goodie. Coldwell Banker handed out popcorn and temporary tattoos, Claire enjoyed both especially the tattoo. A couple of other clever merchants handed out magnifying glasses and bubbles. As a parent who is conscious of her child’s sugar intake, I really appreciated that.
For some reason she really wasn’t crazy about her wings…ah well.
Hanging at the end of first street with Meme and Gi Gi.
Hide and seek with Meme.
Despite the look on her face, she really did LOVE her spider tattoo and remarked as much again and again throughout the day.
driving Meme’s car.
Sunday we joined up with some friends and trick or treated in a cute neighborhood in Martinez. Holy cow, this neighborhood handed out whole giant size candy bars and such…wow. It was great! I was conflicted because prime toddler trick or treat time fell right in line with Game 4 of the World Series but many households had the game on and were all too pleased to share the most recent details of the game. Claire even got an extra handful of candy from “the bishop” because her mommy had a giants shirt on.
Getting in the spirit to Trick or Treat.
Hanging with her buddy Davis.
Conor and Landon hanging out.
The one moment she was too distracted by Davis to realize she had her wings on. It lasted all of four seconds.
Buzz Davis Lightyear and his dad with Fear the Beard Krouse in the background.
So I became the “Giants Fairy.”
And we ended the night with the last few innings of the game and celebrating a Giants victory.
