Halloween 2013

Tom playing with his spider window decorations.

It didn't look too promising for our little dinosaur this evening. It was raining steadily and he was not in a cooperative mood. I was thinking we might just be passing out candy this year... but no! I said, "Tom, do you want to go for a walk and visit people. It's Halloween and we can say Hi to new people." I had him at walk. Tom loves to go for a walk! And really, Trick or Treating involves a lot of walking.

So I sat Tom down and started to help him get his costume on. It didn't go smoothly but we did finally get him in it and out the door. I like to move fast in those instances. No deal making and no drawing the  process out.

Tom Trick or Treating at our neighbor Ron's house.

He was on the edge of having a meltdown but I got him across the street to the first house. He at least said Hi to everyone we spoke with and he said Trick or Treat to most. He did not like it when he heard a door open. He got a little scared I think, but we worked through it and he enjoyed himself. He just had a bit of uncertainty every time he heard a door opening. And if you think about it, it makes sense. It's strange that once a year we go around the neighborhood knocking on everyone's door and asking for candy. He is wise to be wary of new situations.

The rain was steady but we kept on Trick or Treating. He dragged his wet and soggy dinosaur tail through puddles and got nice and wet. Eventually he let me put the dinosaur head on him to keep the rain off.

Trick or Treating seems like good physical therapy and orientation and mobility. We live in Pittsburgh where everything is a hill and the houses are often built right into the hill. It is rare to have a flat neighborhood or a house without steps of some kind. Once we had hit about six houses we got to one with no steps and Tom said, "Up the steps?" Not this time! He really doesn't miss anything!

Back home with a Halloween cat!

I think we went to about a dozen houses and I think it was actually a good experience for Tommy. He got into it once we were out there. I think he loved the novelty of being out in the rain like that.

I hate to drag Tom into things he doesn't want to do, but I also feel a need to give him experiences that all kids should have. I can't let him just sit around because it's easier for him or for me. I'm glad we powered through the rain and his bad mood because we had a great Halloween! But just once, could we have decent weather on Halloween? Maybe next year!

Enjoying the fruits of his labor after a hot shower. The Kit Kats were a big hit!