TRICK OR TREAT!

This was Shepard's very first Halloween that he knew what was going on. Last year's endeavor into costuming and candy-collecting was a bust. This year, he really wanted to be a "superhero." He didn't really have one in mind, so I made up Super Shepard and made him a logo.

First, we went to an on-campus event that was like a festival and trick-or-treating in the residence hall. That was on Tuesday. He had a blast. I couldn't find his mask, and he didn't want to wear one anyway, so I grabbed the yellow wig I had in my office (for such a time as this...and for Winthrop basketball games)...and he LOVED it. It worked well with his costume.

On Halloween, we went to his teacher's house first (she said we could). He was very excited to see his teacher come to the door and give him candy! Then, we went to some friends' neighborhood and got down to business. However, Super Shepard was quickly done after a handful of houses. We were able to see some great decorations, though and had fun.

We found his "super hero twin" in the residence hall handing out candy!

He got the hang of "trick or treat" pretty quickly.

In all his glory.

Daddy and Super Shepard play a game at the festival

It was fun to trick or treat with a co-worker friend and her girl.

It was tough to get my super hero to stand still

It's a super bucket!

First one up the stairs at the residence hall

Jerod carved an AMAZING Carolina Panthers pumpkin...

Mommy as Rosie the Riveter "flying" Super Shepard after real trick or treating.

Rock-tober--PICTURE EDITION!

I simply love October. Cool air, astonishing sunsets, lots of family birthdays to celebrate, fall festivals. I mean. Does it get better? All that awesome-sauce without the stress of Christmas just yet?

We've been having some fun...

Play-doh night with Daddy

Always my jumping super-hero

Hanging out with the Jones clan for Grandma and Aunt Jessica's birthday celebration...

Dino-Shepard

My cousin-of-a-cousin BFF.

Go Eagles longhair.

And of course, we had to hit up a fall festival! We were there with friends, but when you're all chasing your respective progeny, it's sometimes hard to get a group photo.

My pumpkin

sandbox is always a hit

Giant RED TRACTOR!

Daddy is standing on the back...but that was one big tractor!

Along came a spider and sat down beside him

All three of us looking at the camera would be a miracle

HAY. RIDE.

Some of our friends from church.

Running through the mini-maze

Sad pumpkin. It did not make it.

What a nice little vignette they set up!

Fun water pumps with ducks

On Sunday, we got to participate in the York County CROP walk with Shepard's school. Several hundred folks did a walk to raise money for hunger. Team Jones raised $75! Thanks, everyone! We did a one-mile mini-walk through Winthrop campus. Shepard brought along his trumpet and did great walking.

Prepping for the CROP walk at Winthrop (see Tillman tower in background)

Picture in the Herald (Jerod and Shepard on far right)

Waiting to cross the street on our CROP walk with his preschool director

Whirlwind. Halloween.

Halloween was yesterday. Tidbit got to wear his jammies to school and have a party and trick or treat with his friends around the gym. We were pretty stoked to get him adorned as a garden gnome and go back over to his school/church, where they have a "trunk or treat" with lots of fun stuff.
We talked about the costume ahead of time. He got to try on the hat and beard on Tuesday. He wanted no part of that beard, but I thought he might still go for the hat...we talked about going to get candy and seeing friends and "decorations." He has been using the word decorations a lot as we pass by neighbor's homes that are decked out. He ate a delightful dinner of rice, veggies and chicken, so his belly was full. (that always leads to a better time for all involved)
It took some doing to get him dressed in just the costume part. For some reason the shoes became an issue...I tried to just slip the cute red elfin shoes over his current shoes. NOPE. NOT HAPPENING. We had several attempts at "getting in Mommy's car..." For some reason, he just would not go in the car seat. There was screaming, stiff-body moves, squirming, pleading...
We went inside and had a cool off in his room. I was ready to give up. I explained to him again what we were going to go do. Get candy, see costumes, look at decorations...we made one more attempt for the car. Again...NO DICE. That kid was not going anywhere in the car seat. His mind was made up to drive, so nothing would do except the driver's seat.
So, that was halloween. I did snap a few pictures in the 20 minutes he wore the costume.

Must get milk!!!!!

Gnomes need refreshing beverages too. (moving box in the shot)

Ride in Mommy's car...except I want to DRIVE.

I guess he doesn't know exactly what he missed this year. I knew if I could just GET HIM IN THE CAR SEAT, he'd have fun. We were pretty bummed. Perhaps next year. We'll go easy like fireman or cowboy...or let him be a space bee or whatever he wants.

Halloween!

While we wait for our fancy fall video to upload (read: tomorrow...), here are some pics from tonight's Halloween trunk or treat. We took Shepard around the block to the church where he goes to pre-school. They have a big to-do there with everyone decorating their cars and handing out candy. He was pretty mesmerized by everything going on.

He was a puppy (chasing a car)....
click on picture to see it enlarged

Probably his favorite thing there was the big blow-up "snow globe" thingie with pumpkin and tree inside and gray stuff blowing all around. Of course, he had to circle it, push on it, and inspect it thoroughly to see what made it all work.
Not sure how we're going to unload all this candy. He got a ton at school. He's never even really eaten candy yet, other than maybe an M & M. I bought a lot to hand out, but as soon as we got home, Shepard went to bed and we didn't want the bell ringing over and over. Hmmmm...Anybody got a sweet tooth?

Happy Halloween!

We just couldn't resist making pun of our child this year...It's a German Shepard.

Our little pumpkin

One year ago yesterday, we found out about our little "pumpkin." That's what we called him until we found out he was a he. And here we are one year later. An armful of pumpkin-y goodness! This isn't his official halloween costume, but just a super-cute jammie set from Grandma J.