Backlogged Part 7: Halloween 2013

Halloween. You don costumes, eat candy, and meet your neighbors.

It's a recipe for a great night if you ask me! 

I could care less about the scary stuff. The witches, skeletons, gore, and scary stuff are the stuff I would happily leave behind. I'm all about meeting people, having fun, and showing off my inner nerd. 

I've started a new tradition wearing my red shirt to school each year. I get a kick out of the kids who shout, "Oh no! You're going to die!" Ha, ha! Once upon a time, I might have tried something else low-key like a Han Solo shirt and vest, but unless Lucas admits Han shot first and Disney puts Thrawn (and gets him right) in the new movies I'll stick with telling kids to "Live long and prosper."

Carrie's inner nerd shines the brightest. She decided to dress up as Korra this year. 

She found the base costume online, tailored it, and tinkered with it until she was satisfied. She hand-wove a medallion because the premade one wasn't 'accurate' enough for her.

To top it off, she cross-checked her outfit with her office's dress code. She told her boss she was wearing something "Asian-Eskimoesque" and showed up smiling the next day! Someone on the street even asked her for a picture.

That's my wife. She spreads good cheer! One of these days I'll take her to a convention for a geek-splosion.

After our work escapades (and Shane's parade) were over, it was trick-or-treat time!

Daniel and his parents were setting out at the same time we were, so we joined forces.

It was hilarious. Daniel had a death grip on his pumpkin bucket. The heavier it got, the slower he walked. He would not relinquish it to anyone.

As Daniel got slower, Shane got faster. Each handful of candy added speed. He got so excited, that we had to operate on a 'tether' strategy. Carrie would walk with Daniel and his parents and I would range ahead. Shane would race to me, exuberant. I'd cheer and then turn him around and say "Go get, [Daniel or Mommy]" Shane would roar back. Carrie would stop him from running through and past, and then redirect him with a "Go knock with Daddy!"

Back and forth, back and forth. It was tiring to watch! Shane slept great.

It was a fun night. Hopefully Shane learned a little bit about manners by saying "Thank You" and "Happy Halloween!"

He needs work on "You can take one."

Thankfully, everyone found him cute.

Thankfully, he was more into the thrill of the hunt than the candy itself.

Thankfully, he forgot the candy existed, because Carrie and I got into it.

I dumped the rest in my classroom bucket.

My students were thankful.

Come to think of it, Thanksgiving is not too far away! I love fall! Happy belated Halloween, all!