Halloween wrap-up

Emma wanted to go out when it was just getting dark, and from my experiences last year with going out too early, I agreed. Around about 3pm, I opened up her Tickle Trunk to get the crocodile suit she said she wanted to wear. There was an odd smell and I discovered everything in the trunk was wet. Near the bottom, some accessories were starting to mildew. So I did what I could, I cleaned out the trunk, tossed a couple things and did a load of laundry. I spied one of her many princess dresses nearby (which get worn far to often to be stored in a trunk) and suggested she go as Cinderella instead. Mommy saves the day! But then I had to insist she wear clothing under the loose flimsy dress, and I conscripted her sisters into convincing her that it was entirely appropriate for a princess to wear a long warm shirt and pants under her gown on a cold night.

We ate supper a little early, and had two children show up. “Trick or treat!” yelled a little clown and a scary guy in a cheap mask. “AAAAHHH!” I yelled with a smile. “Ahhh!” Emma yelled too, “SCARY!!” and off she ran to hide. I sighed and handed out small bags of Doritos, some balloons and bubbles in Halloween containers. Finally, Emma and I went out into the night. It took maybe two whole houses before she insisted I hold her pillowcase. It was heavy.

Princesses, especially ones in a beautiful dress with tiara and sparkly shoes, who use their manners and joyfully wish everyone a Happy Halloween, get loads of extra candy. Especially in quiet neighbourhoods.

Emma and I did six whole houses. Most of them ask us in and give out extra for the family members they know we have waiting at home. At the last one, where we have more elderly neighbours, I noticed that the husband was handing out candy instead of his jovial wife who’d been quite ill recently. “How is she?” I asked him.

The air stilled. “Oh dear,” he sighed. “She died… going on… three weeks ago now.”

Open mouth, insert to fit. I apologized profusely and got myself out of there before I made it worse.

On the way back home, I lugged a half-full pillowcase and carried Emma on my back. We looked at the house across the street, all decked out with lights and spooky scenes. “I’m not scared,” she said by my ear, “I’m VERY BRAVE!”

“Yes you are,” I assured her, and carried her across our front lawn to the back door, where she knocked and tried to fool Daddy. She refused to let me take her picture. We dumped our loot on the table and Emma quickly shared with everyone. I discovered the bottom of her pillowcase was soaked from the drizzle, as well as the hem of her dress and my pants in all the places where I carried her. After a small feast and clean-up, most of us drove down to my mom’s house, noting the distinct lack of trick or treaters until we got close to her place. Even then, all the kids seemed older and were sticking to places where the houses were close together.

Mom had naturally done up treat bags for all my kids, plus one for Ron and I to share. “So that card you got Addison…” I started, “Wasn’t that FUNNY?” she squealed. We breathed a sigh of relief. Later when we got home, we had two more older kids stop by. And that was it.

To top it off, when I was getting ready for bed I discovered a big zit right on the end of my nose.