Hoo's Halloween

The creative mama in me had visions of dressing up my babe in something unique - an Indian, because he loves the outdoors so much, or a pirate, based on that squinted eye look he gives us all the time.

However, the mama to Lane in me gave in and let him have an evening to pretend he was one of the guys on the field. Remember when I told you how much he loves football?

The obsession has only gotten worse - or should I say better - because we can't get enough of watching him watch football.

He's been to two Falcon's games and watches with delight. At the last game, he cheered, clapped and yelled on his favorite team to victory during the first two quarters that by half time he was asleep on my chest.

No matter where we are, if he sees football on a TV screen, he's bound to chant, "Go, go, football, go." And just in the last week, he'll pick the team he wants to win based on color. Yelling, "Go, go, red football, go."


On Sunday night, he walked out the front door dressed to play. We knew he'd love Halloween - considering he was dressed as a football player and he got to collect candy.

We've been practicing for a few weeks. Every day leading up to the big one, Lane would grab his pumpkin (or pump pump as he calls them) and then ask for a treat. I'd drop a chocolate kiss inside, he'd grab it out, ask me to "Open Mama," and then show me "Lane's candy" before popping it in his mouth.

When we headed out the door last night it was as if he knew what he was doing. He walked right up the drive with his pumpkin in hand and headed across the street to Ms. Fleming's house.

Along with papa, he rang the bell and softly told Ms. Fleming, "Trick Tweet" when she opened the door.

Then she loaded him up with loot.

He couldn't believe it.

He grabbed a piece, asked for it to be opened and then devoured it right there on our neighbor's walk.

Before his first piece of candy could hit his belly, he went right in for another.

We explained that he would have to put the candy back and head to the next house for some more.

On we went.



It seemed as if he couldn't believe that candy would actually appear when papa rang the bell but he gave it a try. And sure enough, he scored some more.

And asked to eat another piece.

We went to two more houses, scored two more handfuls, let Lane eat a sucker on the way home and then called an end to candy consumption for the evening.

Surprisingly, Lane didn't resist. After all the running around and excitement of the bell ringing every few minutes, the babe was exhausted.

And obviously craving something good for his body.

"Apple, mama," he requested before going to bed.

Then sat down and took a few bites of fruit before ending his night.