This was pretty much the face of all the little ones when we told them that yes, it was Halloween, but first! First we had to go to the cross-country States to watch Calvin run. One more time this year. Won't that be fun?
No, Mom. No, it really, really won't be fun.
But they rallied, troopers that they are. And everyone pulled it together to cheer their big brother on with their loudest voices (or rather, one really loud voice. Ahem, Miss Annabel). While he didn't reach his personal goal (perhaps, this Mama thinks, because he sets his personal goals just a wee bit impossibly high? Oh, my boy...), he did indeed set a new personal record for himself, ending his first season nicely. While I miss seeing him on the stage (he's on hiatus from that path at the moment), I've so enjoyed watching him embrace and succeed in something so new and different.
By the end of the season, I was feeling rather proud of my 'bag of tricks.' Though, I do wonder if it was starting to lose some appeal - as at the end of the last race, the snack basket was still full of an unopened (unbelievable!) box of cheddar bunnies, three cheese sticks, and even some granola bars. When the 'special on-the-go snacks' start to not be such a treat anymore....well, I suppose the season ended just on time. Now, though....onto Nordic. Heaven help me in keeping the littles entertained AND warm for that. Hot chocolate thermos and some fun new enamelware mugs halfway through the season? I've got some ideas...
At long last, donning caps and crowns and wands from the packed-up bags of Halloween costumes was next on the agenda, as we journeyed to Greatest Aunt Sue and Uncle Harold's house for some good old-fashioned neighborhood trick-or-treating. We were blessed with a perfect autumn evening, good company, friendly neighbors, and a good time.
New costumes were prepared in the weeks prior for my Autumn Queen and Night Princess. And bless my sweet boy for wanting only to be a Newsie, though he was that very same thing last year. If he could live inside the world of a Newsie, he certainly would, he loves that story (and the music) so much (he and Papa had a special date to see the Broadway show this summer, only fueling the love).
It was a wonderfully simple and good night, and so much fun. And at the end of it all, our beloved Candy Fairy came to take the offerings, leaving behind a basketful of new art supplies (the best treat of all, we all agree). Just the thing we need as we all dive into a new season ahead. Gel pens! A new pack of clay! New stamps and fresh ink! Ah, such goodness.
Ah, and lest you think I forgot a child (I head count frequently, don't you worry), this guy was busy all weekend long, charming audiences twice a day as an 'earnest and sincere' (direct from his first newspaper review!) boy in The Witches. The show is now officially wrapped and he's onto the next!
Phew! I think it's time for a long November nap now. No? Well, maybe just a cup of tea and some yarn for an afternoon. That's a treat I'll insist upon.
