Halloween 2009
This Halloween was Adlai's first time celebrating the holiday and having even the slightest clue what was going on. Simon chose to be the cartoon character, Ben 10 (mostly because it was the least costumey costume available) and we selected Pikachu from the Pokemon cartoon for Adlai. Simon was really into Pokemon last Spring so ever since Adlai has been shouting "Pikachu!" when ever he sees the character. We wanted something he would immediately recognize. It worked. Here is Adlai trying his costume on for the first time.
Early last week, Simon and Matthew decorated a haunted gingerbread house that Adlai insisted was a "happy birthday" [cake]. Thursday, we cut the lone not-quite-ripe pumpkin from our very own pumpkin patch and carved it along with another pumpkin Simon chose during a school field trip. Friday we went to a friend's Halloween Party.
On Halloween, the Feefadders made their return. We took a trip to the Hiller Aviation Museum to see a witch take off in a helicopter and then drop a big pumpkin on the tarmac. The Feefadders stayed and celebrated the holiday aviation style while Matthew and I took the wee one home for a nap. Later that evening, we took the boys around the block once for trick-or-treating. Adlai was extremely enthused by the occasion and even said "Tickereat!" followed by "Thank you" and, when prompted, told people he was "PIKACHU!" (once even giving the neighbors a little dance). It was very very cute. If carried, Adlai would have gone door to door all night long but he was dragging a bit by the time we made the trip around the block. Also, Simon was more interested in standing at the door and handing out candy than getting more of his own.
Adlai was allowed two candies - he chose a lollipop (what he calls a "bee bop") and we forced him to try some M&Ms, which he thought were delicious.
Sunday we hosted an all-day party including Halloween games and a bouncy house and a birthday cake. It started slow -making us a bit nervous that no one was going to show- but it turned out to be a very fun crowd of people we don't get the chance to see very often. Also, the kids had a very fun time.
Here they are playing one of the games - eating donuts tied to strings without using their hands...
Happy Halloween!