Try as I might (and I did) I could not find a shepherds crook anywhere. So, I made this one. Let me say that one more time. I MADE this one! It is actually a witch's broom (which were plentiful) and a coat hanger wrapped in tinfoil (for the hook), wrapped in white athletic tape. The sheep were two softballs with some foam from a dissembled "Happy Halloween" sign and some googly eyes, with some ribbon and stars for extra bling. And it turned out to be cute, which points to the obvious fact that I had some help from Lance, but I am still taking most of the credit. Especially, because I made the hat too!
As with all important events, there is a dress rehearsal. Our "dry run" for Halloween was held as part of my office party, where we were able to test the durability of Alex's costume and teach Alex the finer points of trick-or-treating. Although timid at first, the advent of candy gave Alex great courage, and soon she was running from one cubicle to the next shouting trick-or-treat (which ended up sounding much more like choo choo train, but still managed to get the job done) at each occupant and holding out her rapidly filling basket expectantly. This was most unfortunate when she got ahead of me and began running into the cubicles of employees from other offices, who were unaware of the trick or treating events and were understandably unprepared. Both parties would stare at each other confused, one not understanding why her shout of "choo choo train" had not yielded the expected delights and the other wondering who this child was that had suddenly appeared in their office and why they were holding a stick with two softballs tied to the top.
Alex's shameless begging did not go unrewarded. Just look at that stash.
The House was Decorated. The candy was purchased.
We were ready for the big day. On went the costume and down came the rain, but our enthusiasm could not be dampened and out we went. Alex twirled and danced to the theme of Monster Mash that was playing at the neighbor's down the street, and ran from house to house trying to keep up with multiple groups of "big kids". There were plenty to choose from so when she fell behind she would simply join the ranks of the next group that came along. My oversized umbrella proved to be cumbersome and useless as I tried to keep an over-excited two year old dry, and by the time we got home I was exhausted and she was soaked, as was most of her candy. She, however, couldn't have been happier and was just as delighted with her inside job of answering the door and eating her stash as she was with the actual Trick or Treating.
Lance also rose to the occasion with the return of the robot, whose fame has now spread to at least the end of the street, involving both fear and fascination. It was deemed, "AWESOME" by many a trick 0r treater for weeks after. Each knock of the door was met by a delighted squeal of "More Kids" by Alex which was met by more delighted squeals from the trick or treaters upon getting a sight of Lance. He only reduced two or three small children to tears. (We gave them extra candy).
Alex's costume passed the test and remained in tact the entire night and through multiple other Halloween Parties. I think the Shepard's Crook pretty much sums up our Halloween experience: lots of effort, some frustration, but eventual triumph.
Halloween was great, and now its over. Till next year.
