It's so hard to believe that October has come and gone, and along with it, the passing of yet another Halloween -- Abby's fourth and Aidan's first. The holiday was particularly fun this year because Abby really got into the whole event. She woke up yesterday morning on a pre-sugar induced candy high and she could not stop talking about trick or treating.


Before I put her to bed on Tuesday night, she and I rehearsed the whole routine; I got a bag of candy that we had purchased for the trick or treaters and went into her bedroom at the end of the hall. I told her to stand at the other end of the hallway with her pumpkin basket until I called for her. When I told her to come trick or treat, she tore down the hallway to the door of her bedroom where I was standing behind and she paused to knock on the door. She patiently waited with her little orange pumpkin basket until I opened the door, at which point she yelled, "Trick or Treat!!!". She had the biggest grin on her face when I placed the Reese's peanut butter cups into her basket. "Thanks, Daddy!", and she was off, back down the hall to the starting point. "Do it again!", she demanded. This exchanged continued for roughly 45 minutes, until it ended abruptly with an all out tickle fest topped off with a peanut butter cup. By the time we turned in, I was convinced that she had mastered the art of getting free candy from perfect strangers.


As I said, when she woke up yesterday morning, she was already going on and on about going trick or treating. She was super excited about going to grandpa's house and showing off her new Elmo threads. I took her to school and promised that I would be by early to pick her up and take her home to go trick or treating. The afternoon ride home was spent rehearsing the routine one last time. After we got home and saw mommy and Aidan, it was off to her bedroom to get dressed for the part. She helped me to get her dressed and ready, but once we were in the car, the stage fright set in upon her. The car ride to Papa's house was tear-filled, but after a little reminder about the candy prize she would soon be receiving, she was all better. When we arrived at grandpa's house, we got out of the car and ran up to the door. The stage fright persisted, but not with the tears as she experienced in the car. After ringing the doorbell at grandpa's house, she continued through the motions as we practiced, but with a noted decline in the level of enthusiasm she exhibited in dress rehearsal. Grandpa spoiled her with all kinds of goodies (of course!), including money, but I think she was more excited to see Grandpa Steve. I never got money for halloween when I was a kid!

After we left Grandpa Steve's house, we went and did some trick or treating in a nearby neighborhood. Just like at grandpa's house, she participated, although she was noticeably shy and slightly hesitant. I never did hear her say "Trick or Treat!", but I think she was able to charm her way into getting candy anyway. One old lady (and I do mean old!) refused to give her candy because Abby wouldn't say "Trick or Treat!". That old betty was scary enough that I didn't want to say it either!

We ended up filling her little orange pumpkin basket before the night was over. When we got home, she ate enough candy to stuff a pinata. Now I find myself having to be the mean daddy that has to say "No!" every 5 minutes when she is making special requests for her candy. Parental bribery with candy is still legal in our state, so I think I'm going to hang on to that orange candy-filled pumpkin head in exchange for a clean room.......