The Monkey and the Princess

Halloween 09
Well, Thanksgiving is right around the corner so I thought it would be the perfect time to post pictures of our first Halloween in SC.

All and all it was an interesting day. Of course I worked that night, and Tamy had her hands full with the kids, costumes, and making sure that everything that needed to be done before I left for training, was done. Much to Tamy's delight I managed to take off that night from work so I could be part of Joseph's first Halloween and Evie's third.

We always start with high ambitions to 'deck out' the yard with cool Halloween props and wear cool costumes, but then Oct 31st hits and we find ourselves scrabbling for a trash bag to put over our heads. This year it appears Tamy & I got caught. Tamy & I didn't even bother dressing up. We counted ourselves lucky just to make it out of the house! Joseph wore a cool Monkey costume that looked like a lion, and Evie was... a Princess!

With our kids ready to go we left for our Church that was hosting a dinner and 'trunk or treat'. For those of you not familiar with a trunk or treat, it is simply a trick or treat for small kids in a safe environment, where they collect candy from the trunks of cars rather than at different houses. The trunks are manned by our friends at church. It cuts down on time, provides a safe haven, and most importantly, maximizes your candy stock. Oops, I meant our kids candy stock.

The weather that evening was fantastic, try trick or treating in 80 degree weather!!! Better rethink your costume. Joseph and Tamy (in her long sleeve shirt and sweater) were sweating bullets in their clothes. After dinner we had a pumpkin competition and Evie got to have her face painted. After some good food and conversation we took the kids outside. One of the members of our church brought a tractor with cars attached to it like a train. For 2 plus hours he drove around the kids in 10 minute rides.

By the time we got outside, the rides were almost done, in hopes that we could catch one more ride we raced over to the 'train man' with Joseph & Evie. (Do your best British accent) "Please Sir, just one more ride."

The Train man nodded and I swiftly lifted Evelynn into one of the seats. Then I notice a problem, how would Joseph ride? He was too small to go alone and Evie wasn't able to help him out. I looked at those tiny seats, made only for small children and came up with a brilliant idea. "I'll beat I could fit in one of those seats," I said. With that I hopped into a very cramped and unwelcoming seat, but I was in. I picked Joseph up and sat him in between my two knees, which were sticking straight up in that tiny cart. The ride was a little bumpy for my taste but Evelynn was having the time of her life, as she sat next to her new best friend Emily, they laughed together the whole time. Joseph had a big ol' grin on his face too. He just loved it!

After the ride was all over we went Trick or Treating in the trunks. Evie met many couples all dressed up and their trunks 'decked out' with cool, or scary props. Evie still has a way to go before she figures out this whole 'trick or treat' thing, but she loved what went in her bag. Joseph got to hold a green glowing stick and had a big smile as we took him around with his big sister. Evie had a pink glow stick that she cleverly attached to her dress as a neckless.

It is absolutely priceless to watch the Princess and the Monkey together. Evelynn (Princess) loves doing things with Joseph (Monkey), and Joseph just stares at his amazing sister and gets so proud when he can do something she does.

Doing Halloween with just Evelynn was an awesome time, doing it with a Monkey and a Princess was even better. I can't wait to see what it will be like with 3! Maybe next time mom and dad will be ready.