Bump in the Night

Laura's friend hatched a plot that a few of them would go as Sesame Street characters. I don't think Laura realized that Big Bird is such a highly relevant figure in this election season, I think she just likes feathers. And more feathers are even better. By the time this plan reached my ears, it was already arranged that the friend's mom would make the costumes. My reaction was something like, "Her mom is going to make your costume? I'll believe that when I see it." It seemed like one of those things that would not come to pass.

But then the next thing I knew, Laura was being called for fittings. When I saw the other mother at the tennis court the next day, I practically crushed her to my bosom. "Aren't you such a seamstress!" I said. It emerged that whereas we had both taken sewing and Home Ec in high school, I had made a tote bag while she had made a lined suit. I was all, rock on woman. No really, don't let me keep you. Don't you have some sewin' to do?

Then a few days later she emailed around asking if anyone had a dog crate to sell, and I was like I HAVE THE DOG CRATE AND YOU CAN HAVE IT AND THE PRICE IS ONE BIG BIRD COSTUME. And I was glad because I was gonna have to come up with one damn good loaf of banana bread to say thanks. Or something.

She made Woody and Jessie costumes for her husband and herself.

Where was I? Oh yes, the children.

Cookie Monster bought her costume to match.

Elmo's mom was the seamstress.

For the first time in years, these girls did not make use of a golf cart to scour the neighborhood, which happily reduced the tonnage of candy they brought home. I'm not sure why they all wanted to do the Sesame Street thing. There might be something to be said about how all five of these girls clung to childlike representations of themselves this year, probably the last year that they are truly little girls. But just look at them, sweet.

And for the third year in a row, Hank tagged along with one of the (K)Cathy's kids. Her husband drives them around and helps them climb in and out of the truck.

Rolling party.

So with no kids to escort around and Matt doing candy duty, where did that leave me? Having a beer with Normal Neighbor and watching her hand out full-size candy bars. Then it was back home, and the whole operation shut down by nine, with Hank hiding his candy bucket in his bedroom because he was afraid his daddy would eat it while he slept. And he is right to be afraid.

A couple of nights ago, we were sitting having supper, and Hank said, "So what really is the point of Halloween? I mean, how did it really start? It's not because of Jesus because Jesus is not really anything to do with all the Halloween things." I love it. I mean, this kid! Sometimes it's like he's auditioning for a poster entitled Teachable Moments. Matt was up to bat, so he started with All Saints Day and how that was a holy day and Hallows Eve as a tradition, then he really got warmed up and told them about syncretism and the Christian assimilation of older pagan and Celtic rituals, traditions, and motifs, and then they really got it, and they were like, Easter Bunny! Christmas Tree! And I was like, "Nice job hon!" And I thought, I guess this is why we went to college.

Did y'all have a good night? We really didn't get very many trick-or-treat customers. We never do, because we're the only house down our steep hill that gives out candy. Though I did note that my foster daughters were allowed to trick-or-treat this year, though their parents had their porch light off. Hmmph!

Blogging every day in November! This is the start! We'll have plenty of time to talk of adult things, but you know they take my membership card if I don't put up pics of the Halloween kids. xoxoxo