Pumpkin carving
(in the nude)
It's a family tradition
At least for Cam it is. I can't get that kid to wear clothes around the house for anything. Perhaps I need to turn down the thermostat?
Halloween was a little different this year: Cam officially declared his independence and went out with just his friends. I can't even tell you what they were...three guys in black robes, maybe?
Aaron (after practically fasting and praying over it) decided to go with Troy on the road. He was immensely happy, so I think he chose well. Cam generously agreed to share his loot.
But that left me, alone with Oliver, to do the whole door thing. And Oliver doesn't do well with the whole door thing. It bothers him terribly that others would dare cross our doorstep, let alone ring the doorbell. The barking can be ear piercing, but I couldn't put him away in a bedroom - he'd still hear it and that would make him anxious.
Oliver + anxiety = liquified bowels.
Yes, there is a story behind that equation. No, I won't share it. I'm still in therapy.
So it was a 2 valium night for my Ollie.
He slept soundly in his crate (in the front room with me), then he'd wake and try his best to bark whenever the doorbell sounded.
I ate candy, surfed the internet, answered the door, and occasionally called Cam to make sure he was okay. Aaron checked in every once in a while from Arizona, reporting that they were 15 miles from the border and hauling a 53 foot trailer of jalapenos. I joked that they better not crash with trucks hauling tomatoes and onions -- that would be SALSA!
Gone, gone, gone are my days of dressing my kids in adorable costumes and delighting with them in the magic of a holiday.
In reality, it's been gradual. I mean, we've lived out the same days, weeks and months that everyone else has, but it feels like I blinked and suddenly my boys are grown into pre-teen man creatures. And they don't need me so much. Certainly not to trick or treat with, or even to do the carving on the pumpkin.
Great job, by the way, my little naked carving boy
Yup, I've seen my future.
Me and my stoned dog.
Pass the candy.
