Halloween this year was a smashing success! This was Jared's third Halloween, but the first time he finally understood what was going on. It was pretty amusing in the days preceding Halloween, because he didn't really understand. He was sort of excited because he knew he had this cool costume that had something to do with Halloween, but he had also seen plenty of frightening Halloween images, so whenever the topic came up, he would say "Mommy, I scared of Halloween." It didn't help that we ran into life size ghouls and mummies everywhere we went! In the end, dressing as Thomas and the promise of lollipops won out and he got very excited.
On the other hand, Josiah spent his first Halloween (at 5 weeks old) doing exactly what Jared did during his first Halloween-- he slept. We dressed him in this adorable red chili pepper costume and he stayed awake long enough for a few photos (just barely) and then he slept for the next 3 hours.
After dressing the boys and taking photos, we finally ventured out to find that almost no one on our street actually answers the door anymore. It was initially a bit anti-climactic, but we hung in there and by the time we reached the end of our cul-de-sac we found some Halloween enthusiasts. Jared tried to go into a few people's houses which was pretty hilarious-- especially if there were dogs or other children there. The only way to get him to move on was dangling the promise of more candy at "the 'nother house". Mostly people ooh-ed and ah-ed over the boys and their costumes and Jared got the lion's share of lollipops. It was no surprise that Josiah slept the rest of the way home.
All in all, it was a fun night. I am all for any excuse to dress the kids up and take photos, but it was also fun to see Jared begin to grasp a cultural tradition-- even if it is a bizarre one that sort of involves doing something that scares you a little for the promise of candy! (Naturally we had to have a little chat about that! ) :)
"HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Mommy!!!! I am THOMAS the Tank Engine!"
"Okay, now it's time to get serious. I have my Halloween basket and I am ready to go..."
"Okay, this one little box of Nerds is not going to cut it, Mom. We have to go trick or treating!"
"Mom-Dad-- apparently I am a red chili pepper. I don't know why I am wearing this but it is VERY cozy, and I am going to get a head-start on my nap!"
"Come on, Josiah! Don't go to sleep. Mom and Dad said that if we put on these clothes and go to people's houses they will give us CANDY!"
"Okay, okay, Dad! I will wake up for a MINUTE! What are we doing? Where are we going? What is a chili pepper?"
"FINALLY!! I still don't understand what trick or treating is, but I have my basket and I am ready to go.... as soon as I finish this piece of candy Mom already gave me!"
"Hello?! Who is it? Happy Halloween! Candy?"
And finishing off our silly family adventure... is Josiah doing what he does best! :)
Santa also left a special interactive Pooh story book for Baby Josiah. 
A very sleepy Jared was pretty excited to wake up and find this special gift in his room!
Here Jared watches the train make its way around the track!
He awaits its arrival around this curve. His favorite phrase of the day was "In my own room-- in my own room, Mommy and Daddy." 
Needless to say, the train was a big hit!
After getting dressed to go visit Grandma Betty and Papa Rich, Jared asked to get in Josiah's crib with him. Since Josiah was so little (3 months on Christmas Day), Jared decided to show Josiah his special gift from Santa. Josiah was a bit young to participate in this part of the Christmas festivities this year, but Jared had enough fun for the two of them-- and we have no doubt Baby Siah will be ready for the fun in a year or two! :)
