I cannot believe I forget to talk to you about Halloween. Well I need to. Because girls, I am telling you with as much conviction as I can muster: It was one of the best nights of my life.
Well...how's THAT for a buildup?
Let me quickly bring you back to Halloween of 2017 (the previous year). Alera was Elmo and Zelda was Cookie Monster. Now I won't make a joke about Zelda being an actual cookie monster but it does feel appropriate to mention that today is it one of the 10-15 words she says clearly. One of the many things I love about Zelda.
As Halloween 2017 was winding down, Alera started warming up to going up to houses as saying the requisite phrase. I think she started to understand that these foolish adults were just dropping candy into the pumpkin she was toting around immediately after uttering a few words. Why can't every day be like this!
We are now 13 days or so removed from Halloween of 2018. Alera went as Rey from Star Wars and we told her she was a Jedi. She still says sometimes "I a Jedi" and I love it. Zelda went as a Darth Vader. I swear there was no intent. In true HEID fashion, Di and I opted for the cheapest related costume. I can't help that it was also adorable. I also wore my DADDY Darth Vader shirt.
Alera was so excited to go up to houses and, as usual, tried to dictate the route at one point. It was the absolute best watching Alera ring the bell and saying "trick or treat" . Zelda also muttered some words and got some candy.
Alera was so respectful except she did not like it when people put the candy in her bucket. She liked to do that part herself so she would snatch it from there hands and drop it into the light up pumpkin herself. We had to prompt for a "thank you" more often than not but always quick to give one, Alera could barely contain her excitement and joy when doing so. Also, when the candy giver offered the bucket, Alera would grab just one piece and usually a small one at that. Zelda would also only end up with one piece but thats only because of anatomy. Her attempt was always to grab a giant handful. But at 18 months a giant handful is simply a fun size Snickers.
Zelda also said thank you when prompted but it came out "dah nku" which was even more adorable.
You two stole a lot of hearts that night. I know that as children if you ever stopped to really think about Halloween and Trick or Treating, you would really wonder why adults just give away candy to people coming to their door for almost nothing in return. But the feeling you gave people, much less the feeling you gave me, was worth your weight in candy. And now I lost you. Now you are thinking about how much candy it would take to equal your weight. It's okay, I should have known better.
Anyway, I like to think that I will age gracefully and be a kind hearted old man and one that is approachable. But as one can only guess at the future I wanted you all to know how much I loved taking you out that night. And i look forward to many more Trick or Treat outings in our future. Thank you, Alera and Zelda, for reminding me what pure joy looks like and that we don't need to look for such a feeling in any more of a complicated area than piece of Halloween candy or a smile from a child dressed up as a Star Wars character.
I love you girls. And I am quick to tell you so often and (I hope) emphatically. And no matter how/what you might think of me from time to time, that is always the guiding light.
Cheers,
Mitch (Daddy)