Halloween

Nothing quite gets one in the Halloween spirit like small children wielding knives...  

Like other arts and crafts projects in our house, the concept is wonderful, but the execution... Pumpkin carving almost became an execution in and of itself.  Miss INDEPENDENT (note the capital independent) decided she would carve her own pumpkin - by herself.  On occasion I was able to assist, but primarily she carved her pumpkin by herself - scaring me in the process as I watched the knife fly around, watched her grab the metal end of the knife and try to carve using the handle...

The end product was one of the most frightening pumpkins I have ever seen.

With the tricky part of Halloween complete, it was time for the less scary part - treats.

Oliver was a poison dragon because both he and the love of his life (Marisa, my brother's girlfriend) are obsessed with the game DragonVale.  And Henni was a shark - a shark who alternated between growling and saying "Da Da Da..." (from Jaws).

Henni was a bit skeptical or trick or treating at first,

Oliver was not - he was a very focused trick or treater.

Henni warmed up to the event once she caught on to the fact she could get a whole basket of candy.

Two very happy trick or treaters enjoying their treats.