Halloween 2010

Following our traditions, this year we carved pumpkins and went trick or treating.  Rob is the accomplished carver in our family.  He set aside some time to help with the task, only this year Ethan was at a friend's house during that time.  Justus and Zac made great looking pumpkins and we wondered whether Ethan's pumpkin would get a face at all.  Our 11 year old came home from his friend's house and carved it completely on his own - from putting down newspaper to throwing away the chunks he had cut out!  Rob and I are amazed at how independent he is already. 

Sunday afternoon, we headed for the first time to the trick or treating offered at the mall.  I figured the littles would enjoy this part of the evening and the bigs could go out later for "real" trick or treating.   Justus struggled with his costume.  The one he had me buy apparently didn't fit him right and he refused to wear a "hand-me-down" costume (you know, the one worn for 3 hours last year by his older brother).  He figured one out from our dress up stuff.  Here's our army man, bat (he insisted he was NOT batman), cow and strawberry.

The mall was very busy and I was amazed.  I didn't think Nebraskans could be that rude.  Really.  For the past 8 years I've been impressed by how Nebraskans are so polite.  Not at this event. Don't think we'll be going back.  Anyway, Justus' mask totally bugged him the whole time so we headed home for dinner and a quick costume change for "real" trick or treating.  Amazing how a little makeup, gel and an additional accessory can turn a bat into Darth Maul!

After every single house, Zac would turn around and hold up the treasure that had just been placed in his pumpkin basket and say "Mommy, look what I just got!  Can we do more trick or treating?"  EVERY house - for an hour and a half!  He did slow down and I held his basket for him the last block, but he was a trooper.  We headed home for a potty break and for me to take over caring for Esther.  I thought for sure my little cow would be done for the night.  But, oh no!  He wanted to head right back out with his brothers.  Now, how do I get rid of all this candy without us eating it all?