A stinker bug

This was the most fun I've had at Halloween for as long as I can remember! It was so wonderful seeing Raegan have so much fun, and see how far she's come in just one year! Its fun reliving these traditions through they eyes of child.

The weekend before Halloween, being the good behaviorist that I am, I decided we should do a role play to teach Reagan how to trick or treat. So, I put a pair of bunny ears on her, grabbed her pumpkin bucket, and the two of use went outside while Jasen stayed inside to hand us the candy. Raegan has never had candy before, so I wasn't anticipating any issues with not letting her eat the candy (especially since it was right before bed). But, once we were done role playing and we came inside, Raegan was curiously turning over the pieces of candy and then said to us, "Bite!" So, we decided we would let her have a few licks of a lollipop.....not the whole thing, cause it was almost time for bed. Her whole face lit up with one lick, and she smiled at Jay and I and said, "Yum!!!!" She just kept smiling ear to ear while she enjoyed her lollipop. After a few minutes, I had her put it back in the wrapper, which she did willingly. THEN, she realized I was putting it away. Bad mommy. Raegan had the longest tantrum she has ever had....probably lasted a good 5 or 6 minutes. It took a lot to finally distract her so she would calm down. I felt awful. Lesson learned. Whoever made up the expression about taking candy from a baby, never actually took candy from a baby. It ain't easy!

However, our role play was very successful! On the night of Halloween Raegan was all ready to go, and when I told her we were going trick or treating and gave her the pumpkin bucket, she said, "Okay!!" We went with Aunt Shannon and cousin Camden. We all took turns taking Raegan to the door, but she did a great job of taking the candy and putting it in her bucket. I would prompt her to say Thank you, and she would say it, or sign it, and then she would say, "bye!" We let her walk some too, but that is a lot of walking for such little legs! A few houses even gave her extra candy for being so cute! She wasn't shy at all, and actually loved seeing the scary Halloween decorations. She would say, "Look daddy!!" and point to the ghosts! Even when her pumpkin bucket was filled to the top, she was insistent on carrying it herself! (Finally, a lady gave me a plastic bag to sneak out some of the candy so Raegan's pumpkin wasn't so heavy).

When we got home, I let her dump the whole pumpkin of candy out on the floor and she chose a few pieces to try. She also enjoyed sitting with the candy all around her (or under her, as the case may be).

The very next night, Raegan was asking for her bug costume and ready to head out the door for another night of fun. How disappointing to have to tell her she has to wait another 365 days. She didn't buy it, so I had to take her outside and show her that no one else was trick or treating before she finally calmed down and gave up on the notion. However, I caution anyone to mention trick or treating around her. I accidentally did it once, she shot me a look with eyes open wide and said, "Okay, okay, okay!!"

Happy Halloween my little bug!! :)