The Life and GOOD Times Of The Amlong's: Happy Halloween! (Times Two)

Two kids and two Trunk or Treat events, that is.

These are the pumpkins Josiah picked out for himself and Elijah. He wanted “tiny” ones. They gave us the stickers to go with them. Didn’t he place them well?

This was the first year that Josiah really fully experienced Halloween since last year he refused to wear his costume, though he LOVED trick or treating. While I like the idea of making my kid’s costumes, my realistic side says it is not worth the time I’d have to put into it for them to wear for such a short time and since I’m already strapped for time, realistic won out. I wasn’t really sure what type of costume I wanted for him to wear but happened upon a race car driver suit at a thrift shop. We aren’t really racing fans, but it was perfect because Josiah constantly runs through the house saying “Josiah’s a race car!” In fact, before we left to go to the festivities at our church he was dripping with sweat from doing that very thing. Also, I liked the fact that he’d be unique among the cowboys and superheroes.

He has this mean, all-business face like he has a race to win!

This cutie pie is wearing Josiah’s hand me down and looked as cute as can be!

So, as a trial run for Trunk or Treat at our church on Monday, we took Josiah and Elijah to Trinity United Methodist for their event on Sunday. I had been meaning to have Josiah try his costume on, but never got around to it and when I held it up to him it seemed like it would fit, but low and behold, it was too small! It was way too short and his pot belly barely fit to the point that when he bent over the velcro gave way across his middle. Even the hat barely sat atop his head! Oops! We made due and I frantically lengthened the legs and fixed the hat that night. I decided not to bother with the bigger project of making it fit across the middle, and by the next morning it fit nicely. But by the end of the day and 3 round meals later, it was back to a tight fit :)

Josiah loved this fishing game and asked to do it repetitively. Here you can easily see his short pants and hat that doesn’t fit.

Josiah was so tired and walking so slow we made him ride in the stroller back to the car. He had wild hair from his ill-fitting hat! Elijah was wiped out, too!

Getting two boys to look at the camera at once…impossible.

Two seconds before this picture they were touching noses. Too bad I missed it.

Grandma joined us on Monday! She was the official baby holder.

On the way home on Sunday night, we heard a burping/vomiting noise. We have never found the button for the light in the car so quickly! When I looked back everything was clean, but Josiah was licking his lips with a funny look on his face and said “I need water”. Yuck! Whew, we lucked out on that one! He only ate 2 pieces of candy.

On the way home Monday night, an already tired Elijah was frightened by a loud noise and began to cry and wouldn’t stop. Unfortunately we still had about 20 minutes to go. About 15 minutes in, Jacob and I had about all that we could take and then Josiah piped in with a repetitive and enthusiastic “Praise the Lord!” We cracked up. Thank goodness for that sugar high! (After dinnertime prayer we often jokingly, yet seriously say “praise the Lord” and “glory hallelujah amen”.)

At both events Josiah took on his usual quiet observational personality. While it was evident afterwards that he had a great time, there were no smiles to be had as he walked around slowly examining every dressed up person that walked by. He really has such a great personality and is so smart, but no one ever gets to see that because he’s so busy taking everything in. He comes by it honestly, though. I’m no social butterfly either.

While wearing his costume at home on a cold morning, Josiah started wiping the condensation off the windows with his hands and then wiping it off on the walls. Jacob gave him this rag to at least be semi-productive. A race car driver who washes windows!