Daddee Yah!

Last night was Caitlin’s real experience of Halloween; well, for this Daddee too, actually.

Last year’s Halloween in particular (because I can’t remember if 2007′s Halloween left any impression on this then-just under 4 years old), the kids in our building came around all dressed and made up. Caitlin was more than just a little disturbed, besides seeing “ugly” faces she was also left wondering why the hell kids would wanna scare other fellow human beings, what possible pleasure would be derived from going through all that trouble.

This year, as the date was approaching and shops started putting up the decor, she kinda grew accustomed to this once-a-year event (“just like a birthday”) and somewhat accepted this oddity in human psyche. Either that or she’s been quietly getting more and more disturbed harboring and bottling this up to someday become a really disturbed serial killer to carry out acts like in movies of similar namesake.

Since my parents have moved to the new gated community, we had spent our first weekend at their new house; as we do every weekend (since otherwise we don’t get to see my parents during the week). This community also has a few expats, and, unsurprisingly, they were going to do something with/for their kids. There was a flyer indicating a party starting at 7pm, that for all interested kids (and adults alike) to gather at the playground, and for interested residents game enough to treat or be tricked, to at least paste a picture of a pumpkin on their doors/windows.

Caitlin’s cousins were initially interested in participating, so Caitlin was kinda roped into it too. So, earlier in the afternoon we went shopping for a costume for her amidst buying stuff for the new house. We went to Toys R Us, and instead of choosing something typical to Halloween, she opted for what she’s kinda always wanted: a pair of fairy wings and a wand. Good too, cos I was somewhat concerned about what to do with the costumer come this time tomorrow.

The time came, and we were getting ready. Caitlin’s cousins pulled out, problem thought they were too old for this. I didn’t really know how to dress her seeing as she was going to be (just!) a fairy, I let her decide what to wear; which was just a t-shirt and jeans. Already looking out the window there were kids all decked out; i saw a lot of black (witches, Morticia Addams-like We were a little late; by the time we had gulped down our dinner there were traveling parties of kids door-knocking already.

And wouldn’t it you know it, it started drizzling! I quickly grabbed a brolly and got ourselves to join one of the groups. Being the odd one out amongst the group of kids who obviously already knew each other, we just tagged along and tried to make small talk; Caitlin too Ok, there were also parents who were also dressed up and played chaperones.

To be honest in my mind i had wanted to tag along on my inline skates: Nothing is more scary than an old man trying to be young by being on skates! It was just too bad that it started raining. Honestly. Caitlin is still too young to say these words: Dad, you embarrass me.

It was a rather fun time even for Caitlin She managed to collect a substantial amount of candy, getting more into this after each door-knock. She was still rather apprehensive though, as she wasn’t really audible with her “trick or treat” and “thank yous”.

It was quite nice culturally to see how the residents got into this: The porches were decorated with the typical pumpkin and other “scary” things; there was one with a severed head and hand; which I can only presume that Caitlin either didn’t see or pretend she didn’t to someday grow up to be…

The timing was such that the small groups somehow all finished nearly the same time, and instead of gathering at the now-drenched playground the setup was moved to presumably the organiser’s porch. it was a potluck event, but I had only brought drinks. Caitlin however was already quite relaxed once she got stuck into the chips and the mini sausages. The lady (organizer) even had a game. She took out a stack of disposable diapers and lined them along the table, saying that this is a game but not a race; “who wants to join in?” I yelled out that Caitlin’s brother has some used ones where we could provide, to which she said “these ARE used ones!” There were kids who were game, and when the game started they were told to open it up and eat what was inside: very real looking op! She had really gone through the trouble and made whatever that was to look very very much like what Caleb produces in his diapers! Most of the kids and even some adults were really enjoying it though!

My brother, seeing as this was a “photo event” had set up his camera on his porch, that for a “fee” for the candy, you gotta pose for him

I agree with him (on his Flickr site) that this would be the best dressed of the night

There are more at his site

We made sure Caitlin understands that she has to bring and share all that sugar with her school friends. No resistance there, she’s always liked to bring stuff to share, if only there were enough to go around when there’s something she wants to bring.

I’d say given how Caitlin admitted that she had fun, next year she’d likely be as game and enthusiastic as the older kids from the night. Her little bother would be just under 3 then; cant say how he’d be yet, seeing as he is actually showing signs of timidness yet look-at-you-from-corner-of-the-eye attitude.