This is the first year that Samuel really had a sense of what was going on for Halloween.
He knew that he would dress up in a costume - his choice was to go as a monkey, and Bubbie searched until she found him the perfect gorilla suit. Since he often acts like a monkey, it was appropriate. Shira, on the other hand, had no clue what was going on, but was content to be dressed as a dog. It was a perfect fit, as she loves them so, looks like a puppy when she crawls around on the floor, carrying things in her mouth, likes to bark, occasionally pees on the floor, and we happened to have a hand me down puppy outfit.
Preschool had a hand in prepping Samuel for the festivities. Encouraging kids to bring their costumes to school,
engaging in a completely Halloween themed day (including having snack time snacks in a cauldron, and bat shaped cheese), trick or treating at the MVWSD district office
and culminating in a Halloween Parade.
And here are the gorilla and Batman enjoying storytime together
The preschool hoopla occurred on a Thursday, so I schlepped Shira and Penelope
to school with me after they woke from their naps, and I took pictures with all of the other doting parents. Can't begin to express how cliched I felt.
Are there more cameras than children? Possibly, as more than one parent had still camera as well as video.
Samuel also remembered the Halloween party at Microsoft last year, and was eager to go again this year. He understood and participated in all of the activities - decorated a cookie (and ate the whole thing), colored a pumpkin mask (which he insisted on wearing with his gorilla suit at the beginning of trick or treating despite the fact he couldn't actually see out of it), jumped in the bounce house, and walked in the parade. Shira was a bit bewildered by the experience, but enjoyed all the crazy looking people and the snacks (mostly the hummus and pita).
We carved a pumpkin the afternoon before Halloween with the company of Grandma Susan and Grandpa Tom on Skype, since last year they were here to do it in person.
And on the day of, we finally accepted that the days of Samuel being unaware of trick or treating are over. We had not mentioned a thing about it, but around mid morning, Samuel turned to us and informed us that he would be going trick or treating that evening when it was dark.
So I called up Kristen, and made arrangements to join them for the evening candy grubbing.
Samuel's very first house. You don't have to tell him twice to say thank you for candy.
Our fellow sojourners - Emelie the ladybug and Lillian the princess
There is some crazy shit on Halloween in downtown Mountain View. Some people really like Halloween.
I am one lucky Mom.
Samuel's and Mason's favorite game is to point their fingers at each other and go "boom boom". Samuel requests that we invite Mason over for just this purpose.
Samuel has already become known for being a kid with a long attention span for projects that interest him. Baking certainly ranks high his interest scale.
Circle Time with rhythm sticks.
Hand washing before Snack time. Is this really my little baby? A big preschooler who follows directions, washes his hands on his own, knows what to do and where to go without my help?
Samuel spent the entire first hour inside rolling out the dough for the Rainbow Bread, but when they finally put that away, he created a cult following for digging holes.
Samuel has also been singled out as a very good helper. Always putting things away. I definitely see a lot of myself in his preschool behavior. Can't speak for Steve, since I didn't know him back then ;)
