Halloween 2012

Yeah, not a very original title, but it is what it is. Like youngsters all across the country, Keana, Maia, and Aliya (sort of), were really looking forward to Halloween. This year we made it out to a true pumpkin patch where the girls could cut their chosen pumpkins straight from the vine and go on a real hayride pulled by a tractor. Yup, gotta love Fresno for the rural experience in a big town. The farm was actually on the outskirts of town but not too far. We had a blast and the temperature in the upper 70s didn’t hurt either.

Choosing costumes was pretty easy for Keana and Maia as they still seem pretty enthralled with the whole princess-fairy thing. Maia thought for a minute she would be butterfly girl, but switched to a fairy princess, maybe because that’s what Keana was doing. Aliya tried on an old pig costume we had but seemed more comfortable in the ballerina get-up, so that’s what she was. She’s pretty easy going but does like to do what her sisters are doing too. The girls really want us to dress up each year and we’re still at that phase where no matter what we do, they love it. So Sarah threw on a black wig and some make-up and was a sorceress, and I got out a cape and the tried-and-true foil and was Lightening Man.

Keana was more interested carving her pumpkin herself, but it was still a little too hard with our conventional knives. I held her hand while she cut and that allowed us to do most of it together. Maybe next year we’ll get one of those magic carving kits. She even scooped out the seeds a little, but was reluctant to reach all the way to the bottom since that meant getting her hand a little slimier than she was comfortable with. Maia and Aliya enjoyed helping Sarah clean out the pumpkin and fought over who’s turn it was next.

Once we finally hit the street, the girls were more than ready but pretty shy about walking up to our neighbors’ doors and ringing the bells. When a door opened they almost froze and had to be prompted to say their “lines.” Aliya was really our ambassador and had no trouble talking up each person handing out candy. She told them about her basket and showed them what she had gotten so far and answered all the questions they had. She was definitely the bravest and really enjoyed the night of socializing up and down the street. Then of course, we wrapped up the evening enjoying some of the candy they had scored and it was fun to watch them choose what they wanted to try and answer their questions. They basically had no idea what was in each package and I kind of liked that fact.

So there it is. Halloween is done for another year and we’re already counting down the days until Maia’s birthday and I’m starting to salivate at the thought of stuffed turkey breast, slow cooked in the barbecue. Mmmmm…

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