In any case, I can tell you that we let the kids carve their own
jack-o-lanterns this year. Gabriel and Chloe decided that the more eyes
something had the scarier it was, so their pumpkins could eyeball you
from every angle! Even Grace directed Liz in how to “carve” the
pumpkin. We got these little pumpkin carving kits that were really
great. Those little saws make ALL the difference. I could do without
the miscellaneous drills and whatnot, but the tiny saw blades really
make a huge difference.

Ben and Gabriel went as very creepy looking undead-looking warriors.
They were genuinely scary looking. This was kind of a milestone because
in years past they were happy to be Power Rangers or things that were
not out and out frightening.

Chloe went as a pretty pink poodle. She was adorable. Grace dressed up
as the cutest little Care Bear ever! We went to our friend Parris’
house for a party around 5:30pm. The kids ran themselves ragged playing
with Parris’ boys but everyone had a good time. We helped Parris finish
setting up before we left around 6:30pm. Everyone enjoyed
trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. They got lots of candy but
after about 30 minutes Gabriel and Grace were getting too tired to keep
going.

CAN YOU IMAGINE?! Too tired to keep asking for candy?!

So I took them home and Liz help Chloe and Ben finish their route. All
in all it was an excellent evening! We finished it off with a little
“Desperate Housewives” on ABC. Good show. We’re becoming avid fans.

We recently watched an Alfred Hitchcock movie from 1944 called
“Lifeboat”. Well, me and Ben and Gabriel did. I was surprised the kids
liked it. In the movie, a passenger vessel had just been sunk in the
north Atlantic during WWII and the movie revolved around the survivors
on a lifeboat including the captain of the submarine that had sunk
them. Since it wasn’t a cartoon and didn’t involve interesting
locations I thought the kids wouldn’t care for it. After it was over
they both said that they liked it. I asked Gabriel why.

“Because that guy had a gun” was his answer.

I was shocked (and amused) because there was only one gun in the whole
movie and it was only on screen for ten seconds at the end of the
movie!! I don’t know where he gets his fascination with weapons in
general. We don’t own any weapons and they don’t play violent video
games or watch overtly violent TV. All I can guess is its in his genes
or something.