The Puppy

Jill went trick or treating for the first time last night and she was a puppy! We met my sister and the girls, had a short visit with Yaka and Joe, and then drove to my friend Jenn's house in Glenn Hill. Jacqui was a very scary vampire and Anna was a princess. Both girls looked terrific!

When we got to Jenn's neighborhood I was shocked at the number of people walking the streets. There were costumed kids everywhere! Jenn was ready with 5 gigantic bags of candy. She had three plastic pumpkins full of candy at the foot of the stairs in the living room. Jill dumped half of the candy on the floor and sat in the middle of the pile putting it back into the containers one piece at a time. She was so happy and busy! Around 6:30 we were ready to hit the streets for trick or treating. Jill was tired and rapidly approaching her bedtime so she threw a nutty when we lifted her away from the candy. We were not off to a great start.

Our goal was modest. We wanted to ring the bell at one house, get the photo opportunity, and then head home. But within 15 minutes of arriving at Glenn Hill we got separated from Becky and the girls and couldn't find each other in the labyrinth of curved streets. We made several calls, "What street are you on?" "I don't know. What street are YOU on?!" Soon we realized that we could only save ourselves. We had a tired angry toddler on our hands. Jill didn't want to be carried. She didn't want to hold our hands. She wanted to RUN through the streets wild and free!

There were a couple of moments when Jill cooperated with us, cruising along the sidewalk holding our hands for about 30 seconds at time before trying to wriggle free. Bryan and I exchanged smiles. She was so cute and purposeful as she walked down the street, head down watching her pink sneakers hit the asphalt. We heard several people say, "Oooh, look at the little puppy!" as they passed by.

We did knock on one door. Jill didn't say trick or treat or even thank you. She was confused by the whole ritual.

When we got back to headquarters (Jenn's house), we let Jill resume her candy sorting while Bryan resumed the search for Becky and the girls. It was such as confusing neighborhood. The type where three rights don't equal a left. Poor Beck was lost and carrying an exhausted Anna while Jacqui ran ahead to knock on doors. I was so relieved when a few minutes later I saw the whole gang coming down the street. Becky had gratefully handed off Anna for Bryan to carry and they were headed in the right direction down the street. Hallelujah!!