Kiwi Halloween

The time has arrived for E to intelligently participate in the annual trick-or-treating tradition. We, as his unbiased parents, decided that he was old enough to understand the concepts of dressing up, pretending and “begging” for “lollies” (American English: candy) from strangers on whose domestic tranquility in the late hours of the afternoon he was intruding (by the way, I have heard both Kiwis and South Africans living here expressing the disapproval and lack of appreciation for this old American custom).

We had planned this well ahead: my American friend, Rebekah (whose daughter is E’s age), and I spoke about the event several months in advance, Eric and I (in consultation with E) purchased a costume online and Eric brought it with him back from the US a few weeks ago. We prepared E well by “talking him through the process” but not setting up his expectations too high (one can never be too cautious).

E opted to become Barney for the night (no surprise there… last year he most likely would have chosen to dress up as a duck). E was very excited about his costume and tried it on a few times before Halloween. On the actual night Eric helped him put on the costume while I was dancing around with my camera sensing that my apprehension and anticipation were but a small prelude to what was to come in the future: school competitions, performances, prom, etc.



Both Es (his friend's name is Emma) left the house confidently.







And they knocked keenly on the first neighbors’ doors.



In time, E lost the courage (might have been the really scary monster that opened the door in one of the houses they visited) and hung slightly in the back while his intrepid friend “banged” on other doors.



Es shared the experiences with each other commenting on the houses, doors, candy and the people who dished them out.They compared the content of their bags on a regular basis.





Back at home, E pondered his first Halloween experience.