Halloween

When Arianna was 2 years old, Bruno took her trick-or treating. By the time I got home from the office, they were done. They went to four houses -- maybe.

In subsequent years we've gone as a family. Although four years ago, Sharon escorted Bruno home after we visited our neighbors. And, three years ago, neither Sharon nor Bruno accompanied us at all.

I have issues with Halloween. Were it not for the opportunity to have some Daddy-Daughter time, I'd ignore it altogether. (Too creepy.)

Imagine my surprise when Arianna told me she'd been invited to go trick-or-treating with classmates. As disappointed as I was, I encouraged her (and Sharon) to accept the invitation. After all, Arianna seldom has opportunities to "play" with other kids.

As luck would have it, the Dundee neighborhood where she and her classmates trolled for candy celebrated the ritual, beginning at 3 pm. (In broad daylight . . . who'd have imagined such a thing back in the day?) Sleepy Hollow, in contrast, allowed tricks-or-treats beginning at 5 pm.



I. Arianna carves her first pumpkin




II. Arianna wielding a knife . . . under supervision




III. Arianna's first pumpkin

And so after she returned from her initial "grab fest", we went out together too . . . one more time.



IV. Another creative success -- Arianna masquerades as an "Autumn Fairy"




V. Arianna and scarecrow friends before heading out for Halloween, Pt 1