Planning for Halloween

Five o'clock is a crazy time of day at our house.

Dylan's nap creeps late into the afternoon, leaving us with a small window of time between nap and dinner time.  Most days, that sliver of time is too small to wander over to the park, but it's too large to just read a book and play for a few minutes. 

So after Dylan snuggles himself awake, taking a few moments to climb into my lap after I retrieve him from his crib, we often find ourselves outside.

Sidewalk chalk, bike rides, bubbles occupy our time until about five o'clock, when we have to go inside to clean up and begin dinner.

Before that, though, I have to wrangle Abbey and Dylan inside, like a shepherd with wayward sheep as Abbey rides up the driveway "one more time" or Dylan takes out the chalk that I just placed back on the shelf.

Usually there's a breakdown on our way inside.  Screaming.  Refusing to walk through the door.  Tears.

Usually, it's not me.  Usually.

Tension fills the kitchen.  I gently wipe tears and find cool water bottles and try remember to breathe and not let my own annoyance poison the air.

I may try to faciliate a truce with a cheese snack, cheddar for Dylan, mozzarella for Abbey.

Surprisingly, these times often bring forth some of our silliest moments. 

"Get it? Got it? Good!" I exclaimed one evening as Abbey pulled her favorite Tinkerbell cup from the refrigerator.

Hilarity ensued; it was obviously the funniest thing I have ever said in my life.

"Say it again!" she managed to gasp out, between giggles.

"Get it?  Got it?  Good!"

"Again!"

Repeat the exchange at least ten times, both of us saying it, Dylan laughing, possibly because he thinks we're crazy.

Any tension in the room dissipated, I pull out pasta and parmesean, pots and pans in comfortable silence.

"Mommy?"

"That's what YOU should be for Halloween!"

"What honey?" I ask absently, my mind on what vegetables I can sneak into their meal.

"Get it, got it, good!"

What?

"How would I be get it, got it, good?" I ask, confused.

"You know...get a shirt with the words.  Then ride a pink scooter and wear a helmet."

Like I said, it's a crazy time of day at our house.

Feel free to thank me for the excellent costume advice.  I'll pass the gratitude onto Abbey.  What are your plans for costumes this year?  Is it too early to think about Halloween?

Linking up with Elaine, because everyone needs ideas for Halloween, right?