Trick or Treat!

Many times we as parents will persuade our children ever so gently to like certain things, or play with certain toys, be interested in certain activities, or be certain characters for Halloween...or am I the only one? Mimi was easy to persuade this year and Katie seems to go with the flow always. Although my youngest, Lukee, wanted to be Jo Jo from 'Jo Jo's Circus'. I guess he can't get enough of Jo Jo's clowning around. I used all of my finest persuasive powers urging him to be Scooby-doo, Spiderman, Nemo, and even a Disney's "Cars" character which I thought would sink him for sure. But he wouldn't have it. Jo Jo was his only desire. I gave in and bought the costume from someone off of Craig's list. We brought it home and put it on for his Dad who Luke always looks to first for approval . Scott wouldn't have it. He wouldn't even give him a forced smile or thumbs up. "Jo Jo is a girl and I can't approve of this, I want to but I can't!" I have never payed enough attention to the show 'Jo Jo's Circus' to know that Jo Jo is actually a girl. After racking my brain trying to please both my Husband and my son, I came up with a solution last minute. My Mother had given me an old Lion costume years ago as a dress-up for the girls. I do know enough about the show to know that Jo Jo has a best buddy on the show named Goliath the Lion. So there you have it. Luke was happy, Katie got to wear two costumes that day, and I did get my way with Mimi.

a very satisfied Lion

Costume #1 (for the preschool party)

Costume #2 (to validate the money spent on the costume)

My little orphan Annie. I knew there was no better year than this with her age and ever changing personality. She picked out the used Christmas dress with me off of eBay and then off we went to the local Salvation Army for a sash, collar, and shoes. Easy, easy. The most prep was the hour of holding so still while I carefully curled and placed each barrel role in her hair for a nearly perfect Annie do.

...and I didn't forget to have her sing "Tomorrow" on the video camera. How could I forget that?

Cowboy played a dazzling "Sandy".

Scott was unfortunately out of town at a convention for Ortho so we joined some friends for the big night. Aren't they adorable? Luke insisted on holding his Jo Jo, Lion, flashlight, and trick or treat bag while walking all by himself from house to house. By about house #10 his bag was so heavy with a wealth of candy, he gave into letting hold his Jo Jo, Lion, and the flashlight. Lucky me. Needless to say we were far behind the rest of the kids as Luke refused to skip a house. Mimi led the way at least 2 or 3 houses ahead of the gang. Hope you all had a delightful and spooky Halloween too.