Halloween 2012

Little Cinderella was waiting and waiting for it to be Halloween night. She spent the majority of the day in her costume... waiting. Waiting by the swings, waiting while we ate a snack, waiting for it to be 4:30.

And finally it was time to head over to our friends' house! The "big kids" have known Abby since she was born and yet, whether it's the costumes or the craziness, she's always very, very shy at first when we get to their house.

Notice that a) she has "princess hair" (it's pulled back in a messy pony - don't tell her this isn't proper Princess attire!) and b) she's holding a silver purse from her Grandma that served as her candy bag. I heartily approved seeing that it was small and could only hold 20 pieces of candy as opposed to a pillow case, holding one million pieces.

And here's the whole gang, three families worth of fun (sans Ford)...

And her partner in crime from last year -- they gave out candy together and I think Abby got a piece to eat for every piece they gave away.

Reliving the tradition before it even got dark...

And finally, it was time to go! She went from super clingy to "No, dad. Don't hold my hand." All the big kids went their own way and just a few of us walked the lovely street together.

Ford was destined to be Charlie Brown (I had the shirt ready to rock) but he was obsessed with this tiger costume we had from cousin AJ. When Abby would play dress up in the days coming up to Halloween, he'd run to his room and yank on the closet trying to get his costume down. So, the tiger became Tigger after watching the Pooh movie recently.

He had a wonderful time just walking up to front doors and talking to people.

This boy is a people person. They'd answer and he'd just laugh and stand there.

And finally, one of all four of us.

Clearly Abby and the youngest boy (other than Ford), Asher, didn't get the memo that there is to be no dating (even over Halloween candy and legos!) until they are at least 25. After trick or treating, they parked it on the floor while the big kids were still out, counting candy and talking the physics of how to put things together.

Be still my heart. It was really cute.

763. a fun event on Halloween
764. families that include our "young" kids
765. traditions
766. a warm night