The other difference this year was that my mother is here so she got to witness the whole shebang. Now, it must be stressed that she doesn't believe in Halloween. (Not quite sure how you can not believe in something that happens irregardless, but there you go.) Despite this vehement disbelief however, she was impressed with my interior and exterior Halloween decorations. Oh yes. Bats hanging from the chandelier, bits of skeletons in the front garden, illuminated eyeballs hiding in the rosebush and a witch sign at the door. (Come on - I have a nine year old to entertain. It took a whole weekend to set everything out.)
Come the day, the Ball & Chain and I went to the annual school Halloween parade. Our SIXTEENTH consecutive one, if anyone's interested. The Little Guy, otherwise known as Broadway Joe, stayed in character throughout, until I told him that this required an inside howl. He had a homemade costume - t-shirt ripped down the middle with a big furry chest sticking through, furry arms sewn onto the t-shirt sleeves, and a fur cap complete with plastic pointy ears. The brown face make-up had to be kept to a minimum so as not to terrify the four year olds. We also bought long claw finger tips (which severely hampered the gathering of candy) and a set of fang like teeth. Because he has never known a silence he can't fill, the teeth were half popping out of his mouth most of the time, making him look more giant sewer rat than wolf-boy.
In the evening, we got bowls of candy ready for the trick or treaters. While I manned the house, the 9 year old went round the streets with dad and grandma who, ready for inclement weather carried plastic beakers of pale ale and G&T respectively. (Trick or drink, as it's known round these parts.) We all then sat on the front stoop (another Americanism for you) for another 90 minutes or so, greeting neighbo(u)rhood kiddies and the odd non-wearing hoodie.
I had to laugh when I challenged one group of young costume-less laddos -
"Where's your costumes?" I asked.
"I'm Jay-zee" says one.
"I'm Kanye" says the next one.
"I'm Cee Lo".
And so on.
And who says teens don't get into the spirit?
Oh yes, he did. Went to school in the morning like this, and then got the bus to his voice lesson.
Can you imagine this vision taking the seat next to you on the Number 46?
Bwa-ha-ha-ha...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I nearly sent hubby to corner shop dressed as dracula!
ReplyDeleteYep, love this - so true!
ReplyDelete"Trick or drink" - love it! Don't you have open container laws in Chicago?
ReplyDeleteOh, your son looks awesome. Around here, children are not allowed to wear costumes to school ... too distracting, I suppose. Trick or Drink must be a Chicago custom, too.
ReplyDeleteWEER wolf? I'd have to hear it to believe it. Trick or Drink? That is a custom with which I am familiar.
ReplyDeleteWe were big fans of 'Trick or Drink,' too. We always had a cookout(eg, hot dogs, hamburgers, and adult beverages) with our neighbors before trick-or-treating started, and more than a few plastic beakers went along (usually with the Dads) on the trick-or-treat trail. Lots of front-stoop sitting as well. That's really what I miss the most about Halloween - the sense of community.
ReplyDeleteLOVED your son's costume and would have loved to have seen the looks he got on the bus - but at least people in the US KNOW about Halloween. DH and I rode the subway in Seoul last year in our Halloween costumes (Dia de los Muertos skeletons) and had people taking photos of us - as well as terrifying a few small children unintentionally...we'd completely forgotten that most people in Seoul probably wouldn't understand what we were doing...
I've always thought it was a pity the British don't do Halloween. But then, I guess we here are a little weak on Guy Fawkes, so it evens out. Still... would it kill you to carve up a pumpkin and set it out on the porch with a candle inside? I ask you.
ReplyDeleteThat outfit is fabulous. He really does look frightfully good.
ReplyDeleteI've always said where-wolf... I think so anyway.