We had a low-key Halloween this year. I put up very minimal decorations (a "Happy Halloween" sign on the front door and a little plastic pumpkin on our very narrow fireplace mantle) but stuck to my annual get-in-the-spirit-of-spookiness tradition of NOT dusting the diningroom light fixture between September 1st and October 31st.
It kind of loses its effect when I don't hang the little bats and spiders on it like I usually do. Oh, well.
I didn't even remember to use "my October voice," as J-Boy calls it: A ghoulish, spooky, howling-wind type of thing where I draaaaag oooOOOOOOUUUuuuutttt sYYYLLLablesssss with a ghhoooOOOOOOssstly, VAMMMMpiiiirishhhh caaaAAAAAAdddannnccee. J-Boy hates it and only allows it in October.
J-Boy knew early on that he would be dressing up as Harry Potter this year. He started reading the series of books late in the summer and is already almost done with number 7! He had a funny experience during the summer where we picked up a friend of his from Summer Day Camp and the kids there were all-a-ruckus with shouts and finger-pointing, "Harry Potter! It's Harry Potter!" because of his longish hair and glasses. He loved it!
I knew we'd be going store bought or borrowed for his costume. But, for Mrs. Do-er, the news of this costume choice was like some sort of astral-planetary-cosmic collision of good fortune: three of her favorite loves had aligned--J-Boy, Harry Potter, and knitting! Look at this beautiful handknit Gryffindor scarf!!!
J-Girl was given the go ahead to trick-or-treat without the parents this year. With that, she and Neighbor B came up with their own schedule for meeting and heading out. I helped J-Girl with making her costume this year, and got it done so under the wire, that it wasn't until later I realized I never took a solo picture of her in it. She is dressed as a character named Taiwan from a favorite anime series, Hetalia. (The link here will take you to Episode 1.)
I dragged out the photo session with J-Boy and his friend, Death, while J-Girl got dressed and did her hair.
It was like holding back a couple of hornery bulls!
The boys were rearing to go, and trying to get a couple of shots of the girls before they headed into the darkness-- without us--was, well, a very weird thing.
J-Boy came across a couple of his wizarding classmates as we made our way around the neighborhood.
And Death was able to find a nice collection of his work to show off.
As is typical, J-Boy got his fill of trick-or-treating sooner rather than later. Mrs. H. and Death were heading to a gathering a few blocks away, and we decided we would crash tag-along with them. Knowing the hosting family, we knew they would embrace us for just "showing up." But Big Daddy thought it best to bring a gift, and also to costume up for the occassion.
He's "The Most Interesting Man in the World!"
Which was perfect cover for crashing a party...
We enjoyed the relaxing conversation and compay, and their cozy fire pit and comforting chili.
But, alas, even though Hogwarts was closed for instruction the following day, Harry was unable to conjure up the "second wind" spell. We headed home and found the girls already back from their rampage, too. I don't think it was even 9pm yet!
