Happy Halloween!

Well, our Halloween wasn't the prettiest of days, wet, wet and more wet, but luckily the temperatures popped back up into the 60s, so it made it bearable to get out to a few houses for Lainey's first trick or treat. Mark took her, while I hung back with Nick, waiting for the throngs of trick or treaters I had heard about in our neighborhood. Alas, either the weather kept them in or they all headed out before we were home, because we only had maybe 20 kids. It really bummed me out. I think I was expecting the excitement of my childhood with loads of kids roaming the streets all decked out in their costumes. Then again, in Delaware, we had set trick or treat hours where everyone goes out during the same two hours, so it's all very concentrated. In Chicago, there are no parameters--you could head out at 3pm or 7pm.

But, while trick or treating didn't quite meet my expectations, the party at Lainey's daycare was really cute and fun. I'm going to have to start entering these shindigs with my video camera rolling, because once I again I arrived to Lainey dancing her heart out in the middle of a big circle of parents and kids. There was my little Pooh Bear shaking her bon-bon and twirling 'round and 'round.  The rest of the festivities centered around controlling cookie intake and rotating potty-training toddlers in and out of the bathroom as quickly as possible (they don't exactly understand the concept of "holding it"). It's always fun to see Lainey playing with her classmates, whom we hear so much about. And it's nice to hear from other parents that their kids come home talking about Lainey all the time, and apparently in a positive way, which is reassuring given her problems with hitting and other aggressive behavior (oh, have I neglected to blog about that ongoing issue? Details, details).

Yes, there was also a party in Nick's room, but he doesn't know what's going on yet, so we kind of skipped it. We had planned to hang out for a bit with Nick's class before heading home, but Lainey was way too wound up from her festivities to be contained in the very crowded Koala room. Plus, we still wanted to get home for trick or treating. So, my smiling, happy Eeyore just got scooped up and carted away. I didn't so much as say "hi" to the other parents. I kind of felt bad about that, but got over it pretty quickly. And to future Nick, who may one day read this and think we cared less, please know that we never went to your sister's parties when she was your age either. Mom and Dad aren't "minglers," and the infant room parties are more about the parents than the kids. 

Finally, I am very glad we took time to dress the kids up on Sunday and do a little photo shoot, because amid all the chaos of yesterday afternoon and evening, we weren't able to get any good shots. Lainey refused to pose for any pictures at daycare and Nick was screaming to be fed when we got home, so his costume came off pretty fast and never made it back on.

Enjoy the cuteness of Pooh Bear and Eeyore!

Photo reel in action!

Cookie Time!!!

 

Someone's not done trick or treating!

BUSTED!