Trick or Treat

Ryan and Eliza.

The Chicken.

We had a great Halloween. We spent the morning carving pumpkins with David, then went to Eliza's house (Ryan's buddy). Ryan was very skeptical of anything Halloween from the beginning. He didn't want to carve pumpkins, didn't want to put on the costume and everything else was "too scary". It's kind of how the day went, but we pushed him through. When it came time to put on his costume and he wouldn't because it was "too scary", we bribed him. At first he didn't fall for it, but after David and I threatened to eat his M&M's he bit and put his costume on right away.

We got to Eliza's house (without David who had to work) and he wouldn't walk through the gate. He plays with Eliza weekly, so has been to her house before. The two Halloween signs out front were new, so he became cautious of the change. After we got past that and finally got the gate open, Monica appeared as a witch with a green face and wig! Ryan about crawled out of his skin he was so scared. He hid his head for 15 minutes, and would not look at anyone but me. Poor kid. He typically adores Monica! Eliza coaxed him into the house to play and then he started to warm up a little. He was still pretty cautious of Monica the entire night, though.

Monica and Jesse set up hot cider and roasted marshmallows for everyone to nibble on while we waited to trick or treat!. Ryan wouldn't put his costume on for me again, so I bribed him with a marshmallow. Worked like a charm! As soon as the marshmallow was done, he wanted that costume off.

Jesse was just leaving to take the girls trick or treating so I told Ryan I was going too. He didn't like this and wanted to "go to his house" instead. I refused to give in, and told him we were going to go trick or treating with Eliza. I practically dragged him to the first house, and by the third house he was the first kid to the door. He had so much fun running from house to house with the girls and was so pround of all the "trick or treats" in his bucket!!

It was a great way to spend the evening! Next year, we look forward to David being able to join us.