A Very Cold Halloween Night

The weather was in the 40's, rainy, windy, and dark. It had dropped 30 degrees in just a few days. Yet still three kids wanted to trick or treat the neighborhood. Any chance to dress up, and get a little candy is fun. We missed the last two Halloweens due to out of town trips so Mom agreed against all desire to brave the elements, and we bundled up. Instead of the knight and fair lady (who attended an All Saint's party) a few days earlier, we raided the dress up trunks for the warmest things we could wear. Out came a spiderman, and then we found the large giraffe with her baby sister giraffe from vacation bible school. I don't know how we still have them, but we do. Then the giraffe wanted face paint of course to really feel in full costume. So out it came. One post basketball practice boy came home and grabbed his former knight's attire over his warm up pants, and donned his Narnian shield and sword and we were off into the night. (I think it's safe to say the eldest was motivated purely by a little candy and the opportunity for leading the littles around.)

The little people were beside themselves with excitement. We decided after one house to put our baby giraffe in the stroller with her blankets to stay warm,  and off she went to sleep for the next hour of walking the neighborhood. We made it around the block and added gloves, hats, and boots and stroller cover to keep going. We liked seeing the neighbors we usually don't and know we won't see much of in the winter ahead.

Finally we returned home for hot tea, and the fireplace. The funniest thing of all was coming in and taking off the layers. Everyone quickly took off their layers and costumes and curled up around the fire, except one. I asked Leesie, the giraffe why she didn't take off her giraffe costume, and get comfy. She was standing there awkwardly giving the little giraffe a final hug, then blushed and said, "Well I can't....I just haven't anything else on." The rest of us had three layers, had been shivering our way through the rain and wind of the night or even had a blanket to answer the door, and realizes she was out with nothing but that silly costume on, well we just found that really funny. She did remember her face paint though.  So on her 6th birthday evening, she spent a freezing night walking and running the neighborhood in the dark as a happy giraffe. "Weren't you cold," I asked her? To which she replied, "Yes I really was!" Then off she ran upstairs to grab warm pajamas, her front tooth half out, and her smile big as ever. It wasn't lost on us, that nights like tonight really are part of the fun of childhood. I still remember some cheerleaders and zombies we passed in the night saying, "Hey, did I just see a giraffe??"

Yes, that would be us! "A Momma giraffe, and this is my baby."