Dear Etrain,
Another successful Halloween is in the books! If you look back on last year's Halloween post, it's all very similar. This year began with the pumpkin patch. I heard the one at Irvine Railroad was really fun, and I wanted to fit it in before our trip to Hawaii, which was right in the middle of the month.
I'm not sure if the hay maze or the bounce houses were your favorite. We started with the hay maze, which I thought would only last a few minutes...you were loving it and we probably chased you for a good 30 mins. We had tickets to do other activities, but you had your heart set on the bounce house so you did that...twice. We also did the hay ride altogether before we left. Look how huge those tractor tires were!
Right after we came back from our vacation you were back to school, and that day happened to be Daddy and Me pumpkin carving day. Dada reported back that he did all the carving, but it looks like you boys had fun. Dada also shared some shots he took of you with your buddies from school. I'm sorry to say your pumpkin didn't survive to Halloween night. I put it on the front porch and did had started to rot four days later. It's been hot lately, so I'm thinking that didn't help.
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| Barely managed to get you to take a photo with me. |
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| Always a goof ball with your friends. |
Not much to see here other that a little Halloween themed craft. You're painting a candy corn wood puzzle.
Now let's talk costumes. They have always been an issue for you, even as a baby. We were at Target waaaay before Halloween and I asked you what you wanted to be. Without hesitation you said Batman. As a side note, you don't really know anything about Batman. You've read two books and heard a ton from your friends, but you've never seen a cartoon or movie about Batman. Other than the two books, you don't have any idea what he's about...other than he's a super hero. Regardless, you have a Batman lunchbox and cup, you wear a shirt with the Batman logo on it, and your favorite underwear are the Batman undies. So, you saying you wanted to be Batman for Halloween didn't surprise me, so we got the costume. I put it in the closet along with the tags and receipt just in case you changed your mind...or decided you didn't want to wear a costume at all.
Anyway, as it got closer to Halloween Nana was visiting and asked you what you were going to be for Halloween. Again, without missing a beat you said Batman and drug her over to the closet to see your costume. You were going to visit Nana and Papa that weekend, so Nana asked you to bring your costume so she could dress up in her Hello Kitty costume, and you could rescue her from the bad guy (Papa...not sure he had a costume).
After your visit with them Nana didn't report much, but did mention you didn't wear the costume for too long. Also, the mask that came with it didn't fit your head. But she posted this photo on social media so it looked like you two had a good time.
But then a few days later I asked you to try on your costume and this was the reaction I got. You were saying you wanted to wear your lion costume (from last year), then you said you didn't' want to trick or treat at all...you were a mess. Yay.
The night before Halloween, we got a knock on our door. When I opened it, I found a present for us...well, probably for you, but I benefited too. There was fun things like these vampire teeth, spider rings, a Frankenstein cup, a spider plate, cookies, pumpkin pancake mix and yummy syrup. We video called Dada with those teeth (he was out of town) that night, then made the pancakes the Halloween morning. We have the best neighbors.
Then is was Halloween morning. Your school had a Noah's Arc parade and you were supposed to wear an animal costume. Last year you wouldn't wear your costume at all, so in anticipation of an issue I let you watch last year's videos of you trick-or-treating...and wearing that lion costume. You loved the videos and pointed out how much fun you had.
When we got to class and the meltdown began. First you didn't want to put on the costume, then you didn't want to do the parade at all. All your friends were dressed up and having a great time. That didn't help you at all. Eventually I just had to leave and asked your teacher to give it a try. I walked outside to wait with the other parents. Honestly I had no hope, but you walked out. I actually teared up a little bit because I was so excited you decided to give it a try. Your teacher really is a miracle worker. You were the cutest little lion and I loved that you were holding your buddies hands.
Halloween night we had more costume battles. Again you didn't want to wear it, wanted to wear your lion costume, didn't want to trick-or-treat at all, etc. Finally Dada and I just started wrestling you into your Batman costume. You cried, probably screamed, and were really mad at us...but only for a couple minutes. You heard the kids outside and started to get excited. We reminded you that you had a cool flashlight and Batman shaped bucket for your candy and you were all set.
We barely got a few photos of you before we headed out. While trick-or-treating you must have said at least 10, maybe 15 times how much fun you were having, how great trick-or-treating was, or how much you liked your costume. You loved that everyone called you Batman, and really enjoyed collecting as many peanut M&M's as you could.
I'm so glad you were able to get over your fear, or embarrassment, or whatever reason you don't like wearing your costumes. I knew you would have a great time once you were out there. Since that night, you've told me several times that you want to wear your costume. You haven't actually put it on, but I like your enthusiasm.
I do have a confession for you, son. I don't like dressing up for Halloween...or dressing up at all. I mean, I like wearing nice/fancy clothes and "dressing up" that way, but I don't like costumes or pretending to be something other than me. I don't know what I did when I was your age. I assume my parents put costumes on me, but I do remember elementary school and older. For years I would dress up as a witch because I had the hat and a cape, and all I had to do was wear dark clothes. As I got older I'd do fun make-up too. In my 20's my friends would throw Halloween parties and I'd wear something easy like jeans, a flannel, boots and a cowboy hat and would call myself a cowgirl. All easy clothes I had in my closet. I always wanted to go trick-or-treating with friends or go to the parties when I was older, but I never liked dressing up in costumes. I would do it, barely, but I didn't like it. I still feel that way now.
I wonder what will happen when you are older. Will you like wearing costumes? Will you want Dada and I to dress up with you and do a family theme? We'll have to see. For now, I just want you to face your fears, and have fun experiences with your friends. These last two years have been a success overall, so I think we're on the right path. But, I do understand what it feels like to not want to wear costumes.
Happy Halloween, baby boy.
Love,
Mama
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