Trick or Treat!

One of the perks to being back in the real world is being able to take the girls out for some real trick or treating. While in Alaska, we were hampered by the dismal temperatures (it's 23 in Fairbanks right now) and because we lived in a remote place on post. Too cold and too far to walk around mooching candy. We were a bit worried that our neighborhood might be a tad quiet tonight since there are so few children around. But I talked to one of the only other moms in the subdivision this afternoon and she told me that they had gone around last year and had fun. That was good news because I had spent the past few days scoping out other neighborhoods around in case we decided to bail and try someplace else.

Ellie was quite aware that we would be going out to get some candy. Campbell was just thrilled to be dressed up. It was kind of sweet when Ellie asked us if we were going to drive to the hospital for the candy. At Ft. Wainwright, the hospital turned itself into a giant trick or treating party with each department's staffs handing out candy and decorating their floors. I was surprised that she remember that. Once we explained that we got to go for a walk and visit our neighbors, she was gung ho and ready to go. Ellie was standing at the door telling us that it was time to go. As we walked down the driveway, she was pulling and tugging on me to hurry up.

The weather cooperated today and we had pleasant temperatures and no rain. Ellie was her usual shy self. When we approached a house, she would hang back but once she saw the bowls of candy that were being offered she got a dose of bravery. And as we walked from house to house, she was happy to tell us about how much she loves chocolate. And sweets of just about any and all kinds.

Campbell was a lobster and Ellie was happy to reprise her role as a lion. Both of them really enjoyed getting dressed up. After 8-10 houses, Ellie informed us that she was ready to go home. We were concerned that she was scared of being outside in the dark or maybe from meeting new people. No, she wanted to get back inside and eat some candy.

We only saw one other group while we were going door to door so we thought maybe it would be a quiet night. But within a few minutes, we had a few kids come by. Over the next 45 minutes, we had 30-35 trick or treaters and each time, Ellie and Campbell were thrilled to greet them at the door and check out their costumes. Lots of pirates this year. And there were several costumes that I'm not really sure what they were going for. And while we thought not many people would be giving out stuff, I'm pretty sure that most of the kids who came by didn't live in our neighborhood. Evidently, word is out that the Danbridge subdivision gives out good candy.

Jennifer's mom has been in town for the past two weeks but she leaves tomorrow. It's been great having her here. I got to have a few breaks during the day and my kids have been able to eat some real cooking a couple of times since she's been here. I don't mind cooking but Linda makes some things that I could only dream of doing as well. It has motivated me to expand my repertoire and try some new things. The girls are relatively adventurous eaters and if I screw something up, making a grilled cheese sandwich is always a quick alternative. We'll miss having her around. I keep trying to convince her that she needs to stay for another week or four.

Now there's something you don't see every day

Campbell can't be deterred when she decides she's going somewhere. Not only is she walking with abandon but she's climbing on everything. She can walk our house in seconds flat. And she now uses her mobility to not only play and have fun but find new and unusual methods for wreaking havoc. Objects within reach on a table, chair or flat surface of any kind is fair game. She really doesn't want to play with it or use it, she just wants to pull it down, spread it out and the move on to the next item to mess with. Leave a door open to the bathroom? Well, be prepared to find her either playing in the toilet (Ewwww, right?) or the entire roll of toilet paper on the floor. Trying to sort clothes in the laundry room? Forget about it. She's tossing things left and right and dragging the other stuff back out into the hallway. Leave the gate on the stairs open? 10 seconds later, she's upstairs running down the hallway preparing to make a mess with whatever she can find. But there are some positives. When I cut up some banana and put it in bowl for her, she makes a beeline for her denim chair. She knows it's snack time. Matter of fact, she might beat me to the chair. I remember thinking "Man, once Campbell is walking, things might be easier for me around here." Heh. I kind of miss the days when she could only roll around to grab the things she wanted. Much more so than Ellie, Campbell hates to be "confined." When she decides she needs to be on the move, she's GONE.

Big sister still has her moments of defiance but she can be a great help. Campbell likes to just be around her and Ellie takes it in stride. With a few exceptions, Ellie seems to understand that Campbell is more interested in knocking over the blocks or tearing up Thomas the Tank Engines tracks.

The other day, we went to the grocery. Now, when we go to Fred Meyer for groceries, Ellie assumes we're there to eat. It doesn't matter whether we just had a meal or not. Well, we had just eaten lunch. We get in the door and I was prepared to hear "I want a hamburger... no, a cheeseburger. I want a hot dog. I want a milkshake." Then I'd have to retort with "You'll get nothing and like it." At first, Ellie tells me that we need "macky-roni." When I tell her that we're only there for a few things and that we just had lunch, she continues with her need for macky-roni. So I look for a compromise. "How about some animal crackers in a few minutes?" That buys me some time. As I continue grabbing the things I need, we finally get to the cracker aisle. Those little boxes of Barnum's Animal Crackers are lifesavers. I grab a one of the shelf and crack it open. I hand her a cookie. She hands it to her sister and tells me "Campbell is hungry too." Altruism at it's finest, right?


Have I mentioned lately that I have the best job in the world? I work longer hours now than I ever did working for some company. At the last job I worked before we moved to Alaska, I had to track my hours. Shortly before I gave my notice, I was working 60+ hours a week. Now, I'm working 85-90+ hours a week and I'm on call pretty much all the time. I've had every kind of bodily fluid that exists pooped, spit up, puked, etc. on me. I have to juggle all sorts of things that I never even imagined just a few years ago. But I love it. My wife is completely supportive of me being a House Dad and I have the two best kiddos ever. I've been home now f0r over 3 years and it's been a blast. Each day, either Ellie or Campbell does something that amazes me. Or wears me out. If you don't have kiddos, it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.