Halloween!

What a difference a year makes.  Halloween last year was me trying to make it something special for Gabby, just so she could experience a first halloween.  This year Gabby was excited about everything and started talking about trick-or-treating at least a month in advance, and pumpkins have been the ultimate coolness! 

  Clay's schedule for duty has been the worst possible, we had to do everything without him.  The week before Halloween the base had a carnival, with some games, a fun walk that had 5 stops to trick or treat at, and LOTS of people.  Gabby dressed up in her lady bug costume, and we had a great time with good friends.  She was scared by the people passing out candy at first, and then got really happy about it all b/c she got CANDY! 

The pumpkin that has been rolled, pushed and carried around the house for the past few weeks finally met its fate of becoming a jack-o-lantern!  We carved it into a cat, and Gabby thinks it is the coolest thing ever.  The first morning after we had carved it she saw it out the window on the balcony and started jumping around "kitty pumfin".  Every night we put a candle in it.  

Halloween day we woke up happy, and had lots of fun things to do.  The ship group hosted a party for the kids during the day.  Gabby went dressed as a ballerina, wearing her brand new ballet shoes.  She had a great time seeing all the decorations, like the spiders.  We decorated a trick-or-treat bag and a bracelet.  We had to leave the party a bit early to come for nap.  Within 5 minutes of being home she was asleep!  

We started our trick-or-treating nice and early, going with a family that lives in our building.  The very first house we went to had someone dressed in a full Gorilla costume, at first it was frightening... but then she was okay with it and happy.  She quickly grasped the concept of going up to doors with the little girl we were with, saying "trick-or-treat, happy halloween!"  She sounded so clear and like a big girl!  It was so much fun watching her full of joy running from house to house.  Our bag ripped and some teenage boys scared her with their costumes so we decided to call it a night.  We came back home and handed out candy to those that came.... mostly Japanese that were sponsored to come on base for the occasion. Every time the doorbell rang, Gabby ran to the door saying "who dat, who der?"  The evening ended with a little bit of crying b/c she wanted to eat candy but had already had some.  Clay got home in the morning from a long night of being the police man on the ship and ensuring everyone that needed to was back by their curfew, Gabby showed him all her candy and told him all about our fun 2nd Halloween!