A Vampire, a Marathon Man, and Candy!

Last night, BBH and I took the kids to a Halloween tradition of ours for at least 5 years now.  The town hosts a Halloween event called Storybook Forest, where the kids dress up, and "Trick or Treat" scenes and characters from fairy tales, play old school carnival games, and go on hayrack rides.  It has always been an event Larger Child has looked forward to, and it was the first year we took Smaller Child with us too!

The evening started with me getting the boys in their costumes, and ready to go.  Smaller Child's attire wasn't that complicated... which was one of the reasons I chose this costume.  We opted to take a page from Daddy's life-book, and dress SC up as a marathon runner, complete with sweatbands, and bib number.  It was cute, comfortable, and affordable.  (All of the characteristics a practical mom like me loves to see!)  It should be noted the bib says as follows, "Halloween Candy Dash," "772012" (his birthdate), and "Marathon McQueen" as his name.

Larger Child has a tendency to chose his Halloween costume on November first of the previous year.  He swears up and down that is what he's going to be, and that he won't change his mind.  Needless to say, I wait until practically the very last moment before the big day to start buying his costume, knowing that if I do it too early, I will have countless exchanges to make.  This year, the choices ran the gamut from ninja turtle, to Bowzer, to Link... he finally settled on Count Dracula.  I could NOT have been more pleased! I was thrilled at such a classic suggestion, and aimed to make him the "coolest" vampire since Bela Lugosi.  Let's just say, I did my best.  His Count D. turned out to be a little more Tim Burton than Lugosi... but I say that's just as awesome.

After the boys got dressed, I took them out for some pics.

He's so perfectly Emo, but aren't all vampires?

I know I'm scared!

The fact that I couldn't get him to stand still proves that I made the perfect costume selection!

This one CRACKS me up!

As does THIS one!

Note the spider headband (it lights up!)... even Mom got in on the action. 

They both look so thrilled.

After Dad got home, we packed up and headed out.  The wind was up, and it was COLD outside.  But, the boys were troopers as we waited in line to get in.

Larger Child was a professional at Trick or Treating. Smaller Child was lead by example.  BUT, after a time or two, he began to understand the CANDY was the aim.

The thing I love about this place is that it is not the typical "scary" Halloween set up... as a matter of fact, LC might have been the scariest thing there!  The kids are greeted with their favorite story book characters.  They play sweet music through loud speakers, and the trail is well lit.  The boys met Humpty Dumpty, Rapunzel, Hanzel and Gretel, and Little Red Riding Hood, among many others.

After the trail, we headed to the carnival games.  By this time SC was getting cold, tired, hungry, and pretty much spent.  BBH tried to revive him with a sucker, but after the novelty of sharing with Daddy wore off, SC was D-O-N-E.

We let LC finish up the carnival games...

and BBH kindly, threw himself on the sword and took the Screaming Meemee SC back to the car.  It is important to him that LC doesn't miss out on the things he likes, just because brother is young and can't do them too.  It was so sweet of him to do that for us, and it gave LC and I to get on the hayrack ride!

It was COOOOOLD, but a lot of fun! We saw the lake, some deer, where they kept their candy stash (LC and I made secret plans to come back later...) and lots and lots of stars.  

By the time we met back up with BBH and SC back at the car, we were frozen and starving.  We headed home, tootsies cold, smelling like campfire, and pumpkins full of candy.  It doesn't get much better than that! 

From my Little Monsters to Yours...

Happy Halloween!!!