NaBloPoMo is off to a raring start, no?  Let’s keep the magic going…

 Back in my glory days, aka before kids, aka when I actually brushed my hair more than once a month and wore clothes without food stains from other people, Halloween was my favorite time of year.  Sandwiched firmly between my brother’s birthday and my own, as kid it meant food and fun.  As an adult, it meant fun and alcohol and *ahem* interesting costumes.  As a parent, it means late night candy raids and over-sugared children and, of course, lots of photo opportunities.

This year we decided to forgo the Mall trick-or-treat event, which bills itself as safe and fun and family friendly.  I don’t know who these families are, but I am not prepared to get this friendly with them.  This event is packed tight, with kids and parents who seem to view trick or treating as a competitive sport involving the throwing of elbows while shuffling feet.  It is both tediously slow and brutal, a combo only rarely seen outside of seniors tae kwon do.

So instead we decided to try out the local Boo at the Zoo at Niabi Zoo.  We went with some wonderful friends, which I highly recommend.  Zoo trips should not be undertaken without either adult backup or alcohol.  The photographic evidence:

 Dads and kids on the Zoo Train:

The only time we had all 3 kids in full costume:

A very relaxed lion, which was only funny to the grownups for some reason:

One successful Halloween event under our belts, we decided to tempt fate the next day by visiting the YMCA-sponsored pumpkin patch.  To wit:

Boy-o’s first marginally successful jumper experience (previous attempts being wholly unsuccessful):

Note the values printed on the back of the jumper. Exercise induced brainwashing Y?  For shame.

They have horses at this patch, which is why we go back year after year. Boy-o’s first encounter:

Bon Bon was excited too, honest!:

And Queenie was in heaven:

Even the kids’ hay maze was a hit:

Later, the day’s bounty was lovingly dissected:

 Finally, festivities concluded with the traditional Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood, again with good friends.  I hear it was a little crazy.  I stayed home to hand out candy and make grown-up treats.  But of course, I got in one pic before they left:

And that’s that.  Amazing, no?

FREEBIE OF THE DAY: The first colds of the season are making their rounds at our house - how about yours?  Perhaps you have sickly friends?  If you visit the Emergen-C website and click on Share the Good, you can send them some Emergen-C for free!