Boot-or-Treat?

Showcasing his favorite accessory- Grandad's tape measure!

By this point I was a frozen pea pod.

My little Bob the builder

"The candy goes in here!"

Arthur would peer cautiously into each trunk and then send Mom or Dad in after the candy while he stood a safe distance away!

This was Chris and Arthur's first Halloween together; Arthur and I have been traveling over the previous two Halloweens of Arthur's life.

The ever festive Chris

We attended our Ward's "Trunk"-or-Treat last night, and it was the first time in my life that I have been to a trunk-or-treat without gorging myself on homemade chili. Namely because... well, there was no chili. It was an interesting English take on a very American tradition! Despite most of the Brits having to choke a bit on the word 'trunk', and having to be bundled up almost beyond recognition most of the night just to keep warm, the trunks were scary, the candy was plentiful- who could ask for more?
Halloween in England has been an interesting experience for me this year. Arthur and I got to celebrate last year in America since we were traveling over Halloween, so I missed out on what would have been my first real British celebration of the holiday. Come to find out, I actually didn't miss anything. Most people here are not really invested at all in Halloween, with most opinions ranging from complete indifference to adamant opposition of the 'devilish' holiday. Well, call me American, but anytime you get to dress up, gorge yourself on chocolates, and just generally join in a mood of celebration and fun- I'm in. To be fair, I guess I will have to admit that growing up in a very consumer driven society has probably tainted my appreciation of the historical context of the holiday. That being said, I am already planning a big Halloween party for next year when we are back in the States to make up for the lack of gusto surrounding this year's celebrations.
Oh, and our costumes: Arthur couldn't be more thrilled when I suggested that he could dress up as Bob the builder, and I couldn't be more thrilled because a) we already own everything for the costume: a toy tool belt with tools and a little yellow hard hat and b) him being thrilled means that I don't have to fight, bribe, or beg him into wearing his costume! A couple of weeks ago I even mentioned to Arthur that we could borrow a tape measure from Grandad for him to carry like Bob. I completely forgot about it until yesterday morning when a friend of ours asked Arthur what his costume was for the trunk-or-treat and he promptly replied, "Grandad's tape measure!"
Thanks to a roll of bright green butcher paper that we have had leftover from Arthur's birthday party I was able to cut out a costume just in time for the party. It wasn't the most durable thing, by far not the most flattering, or the cleverest costume, but I donned a green shirt and became a pea pod with my ever protruding bump acting as my 'sweet pea'.
We hope that you all have a very happy Halloween!!