Happy Halloween

Lincoln's First Halloween was a great one. Mrs. Poop made an awesome Toad costume to go along Mario and Luigi.

How Tall This Fall

2016:

2015:

2014:

2013:

2012:

2011:



2010:



2009:



2008:



2007:

How Tall This Fall

2015:

2014:

2013:

2012:

2011:



2010:



2009:



2008:



2007:

How Tall This Fall

2014:

2013:

2012:

2011:



2010:



2009:



2008:



2007:

I Hope You a Good Halloween, Cuz I Know We Did

Two years in a row bad weather (ice storm, Hurricane Sandy) left us impotent (it literally means without power) on or around Halloween, making normal trick-or-treating impossible. The last time Julian experienced a normal Halloween he was not even 3 months old. This year the weather was our friend (though we had a brief drizzle) and we got out for about 2 solid hours of trick-or-treating. We could have done even more had Chase not started to feel sick and had Julian not tired of walking. The great thing about my neighborhood is the vibrancy during events like this. Yes, there are tons of families with young kids walking around. But there are also elderly people whose kids did this 40 years ago, who give out copious amounts of candy and compliments.

TP For My Bunghole

The night before Halloween is often referred to Mischief Night as teenagers too old for trick-or-treating try to have some fun by wreaking havoc on the neighborhood.
Tonight, after we put the kids to bed Mrs. Poop noticed a police car parked in front of our house and about ten teenagers milling about on our lawn and in the street.
After the police car left and the kids dispersed, I went out to look around. This is what I saw in my bushes:

I would have only been mildly annoyed if I'd had to clean 7 rolls of TP out of my hedges in the morning, but it's a lot better than a carton of eggs, or damage to my personal property (Snoopy dog house).

I actually think I heard one kid try to encourage the others to go through with it after the cop pulled away, but I heard one say "it's not worth it."

Seven rolls of toilet paper ditched in the bushes, I'm not one to waste so I brought them inside and I'm going to use them to wipe my ass.

The Wussification of Halloween

Halloween night, after trick-or-treating and inspecting the candy for apples with razor blades, millions of parents and kids will watch "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on ABC. But not the wussy daddy blogger, Dad Camp, who says it's time to stop airing the Halloween classic. He says it is "no longer appropriate."
He says it has nothing of value for our kids. As if every TV show, movie and book needs to end with low music and an important life lesson delivered by Bob Saget.
In fact there are plenty of great lessons for children in "It's the Great Pumpkin."

1) Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker:

2) Always have important signed documents notarized

3) Keep your lips away from dog lips

In all seriousness, I do see his point. Were this show made today, parents would never show it to their kids, it no longer fits with our new standards and sensibilities.

The author says Charlie Brown is bullied, not just by the kids but the adults too.
I never saw the rock-getting as persecution, I thought it was just bad luck.

To me Charlie Brown is a poor unlucky schmoe, not someone who is picked on, after all, they are his friends, they tease him in good fun.

He even criticizes World War I Flying Ace the Red Baron (Snoopy) for all the war imagery. The Red Baron is a war hero. Does this guy shield his kids eyes when a man in uniform walks by, so he doesn't have to explain war to his precious angels?

Dadcamp says stupid and dumb are as bad as [fuck]. And maybe most new age parents would agree. But they're wrong. I think my main argument against his argument against "It's the Great Pumpkin" is: this is why we're raising a generation of wussies.

It's ok to expose our kids to "bad" words, and mistreatment of others. We can demonstrate how hurt Charlie Brown was by their words and actions, and teach them to be nicer and more inclusive. We can also show them how Charlie Brown handles the insults, he deals with it and moves on. He doesn't get depressed and cut his forearm. He remains hopeful that one day he will get invited to the parties, and that Lucy will let him kick the football. It's actually a good lesson.

But that's not why we watch the show with our kids every year.

The truth is we've spent too much money on Peanuts themed Halloween decor to turn back now.

How Tall This Fall?

Looks like Chase is inching closer to four feet tall, and also growing out of that shirt. Jules sprouted up by 2 apples, nearly the height of a Smurf (they're three apples high).

2013:

2012:

2011:



2010:



2009:



2008:



2007: