Musings on last night:
Elsa and I discussing how we must be family, seeing as Chris and I were Ice King and Queen.
Dual ninjas showing off their light up swords with "ninja poses" they had practiced at home for weeks.
The neighbor who said while riding home with his stoic friend, who doesn't normally react to much of anything, literally screeched his car to a halt and threw it into reverse the first time he drove past the graveyard, and seemed awed and kinda gushed about how great it was. Neighbor said he was pretty sure he hadn't seen this guy react that way to anything in the time he's known him.
The several tween DIY Cruellas throughout the night, who made their own black and white fashion statements. No purchased costumes for them, they created their own outfits, inspired by the new movie. I wish I'd had an ounce of that talent for clothing as a kid. I was so impressed!
Kids politely asking if they could take TWO pieces of tiny candy.
The kid who didn't ask about multiple candy, but clearly seemed to have been told by his parents he could only take with one hand. So he was trying to grab as much with just the one hand, jamming his fist full of candy, then using extended fingers like pinchers to try and snag one. extra. piece.
Kids who forgot to say thank you, and unprompted by parents, ran back to make sure they thanked us before moving on.
My step-sister Destiny Stevenson coming by and spending hours by the fire chatting and enjoying the energy and good company.
Adults who shared in the adult drinks we had on hand, then came back down the street with green jello shots in exchange. (One of them had a candy eyeball in it!)
Guy across the street yelling, "If you did this your FIRST year, I can't wait to see YEAR TWO! I'll be watching for you guys next year!"
The little boy who, completely awestruck, asked us how the candles were just FLOATING there. Chris and I in unison reply with, "MAGIC!" From a distance at the sidewalk, a maybe 6 year old little girl yells, in an exasperated tone usually reserved for parents tired of explaining something repeatedly, "THEY'RE ON WIRES!" (Little guy mumbles as he walks away, "But I don't SEE any wires...")
The precocious Paw Patroller who sat by the fire with the adults and chatted them up, then put on a firm no-face when Mom asked if she wanted to keep trick or treating. So Dad stayed to visit a while with us so their daughter could hang out by the fire with the adults a little while.
Adults asking us if we will maybe please keep the skeleton up all year and dress him up. We said we were considering it, but wondered if it would take away the magic of the skeleton for Halloween. Emphatic NOs from all we asked about that. They want him to stay.
Our next door neighbors throwing a pretty epic kid party in their yard, because they wanted their grand finale to be at our house. They walked the neighborhood as a big group of like 12 kids and their parents, then finished the night at our place getting treats and drinks.
Neighbors introducing themselves and telling us how for weeks their routine has been to walk or drive out of their way every day after school to see the graveyard and the skeleton. "We live in the other direction, but we come 5 blocks this way to drive by every day."
Despite the yard being the main focus, getting to chat up neighbors who wanted to hear all about the new house. I love talking about SIPs, green building technology, thermal bridging, PassiveHouse standards, blower door tests... "Are you an engineer?!" No ma'am/sir; just really like learning stuff.
Discussing what the skeleton should be named with a group of neighbors. Kevin? Steve? Or maybe Roger. "He reminds me of an old manager of mine named Roger." I have so many questions.
Two friends I pretty much only see on FB any more coming out of their way to see the display and visit (was great to see you guys, Kathryn Mensinger and Janine Jones).
THE WEATHER BEING PERFECT. Like seriously. Some dear friends of ours brought their littles over in the afternoon for a visit and photo op with Skellie, and we hung out a couple hours on the deck in the warm sunshine on a clear, crisp fall day. I don't remember the last time Halloween had such glorious weather!
Doing all this with my best friend, who is grinning from ear to ear all night, house proud, haunt proud, husband proud.
Everything smells like woodsmoke, I sound like an old trucker, and am tired and headachey this morning, and I couldn't be happier.
(PS Chris has already sent me multiple photos of ideas for how to dress up Skellie for Christmas. Also, I didn't get nearly enough photos!)
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