Trick-or-Treat welcomes Poppi

We were very excited about Halloween this year. One, because Zach would get to go trick-or-treating when he actually knows what is going on. He didn't get to go last year b/c we were in Spain. The year before he was 5 months old and had no clue of course. Now the "has no clue" portion was experienced by Wyatt. The other reason we were very excited about Halloween was that Poppi was coming. Zach had a countdown for a week - "Poppi coming Zachy's house X day". We heard it a LOT. Unfortunately, he often got confused by the fact that Poppi was coming later (for Thanksgiving) with Grandma (though Zach won't stop calling her MeeMaw, so I guess MeeMa she is), Joanna "An JuiceNana", and Joy "An Doy". As we were driving to the airport I asked Zach "who are we going to get at the airport? - his reply "AN JUICENANA" then a pause "Poppi". [This must be inserted: Zach wore his Superman costume to the airport - much like his Oom Karl did when he was 3 or 4 years old to pick up his Oma.] Once at the airport though, it was all about "Where Poppi?". I have to say I was a bit nervous about their reunion. Zach is generally pretty shy around people until he gets comfortable, and he really does not like for people to touch/hold/etc right off the bat. I had nothing to worry about though, b/c once we found Poppi, Zach took off running down the moving sidewalk, Superman cape flapping, yelling "Poppi, Poppi" and ran right into his arms. It was wonderful for me to see; I can't imagine how great it must have been for Poppi. Well, I do know that he liked it so much that we had Zach do it again w/ Poppi filming. :)

After a fun time playing at the airport, we hopped back into the Fit ("mom red car") to head back to Evanston. Uggh. Traffic was terrible. It took us over an hour to get home, and the airport is only 17 miles from our house. So we got home at 7pm, ate the quickest dinner we could and got the kids dressed to go trick-or-treating. What a bust. By that time it was about 7:30 or so, and pretty much every house was done. We went to the first house and rang the doorbell. The guy came out and let Zach choose some candy, then some more candy. As we left, Zach said "Dat FUN". I was so psyched. Then it was over. 3 more tries and it was evident that Halloween in Evanston closes shop early. Poor Zachy. However, we knew we would have another chance the next night when we went to our standard Saturday night restaurant. Zach again wore his costume, and they gave him WAY too much candy. He loved it though.

Any disappointment Zachary may have had on Friday night was more than made up for on Saturday during a trip to Target. In previous trips to Target, somehow Zach got it in his head that Poppi would buy things for him, we would walk down the cars aisle for Zach and he would repeat over and over, mantra-style, "Poppi get dat". So on this Saturday, Poppi did indeed "get dat". Zach got to pick out any cars he wanted and Poppi got it for him. It was a shopping spree like no other. Zach's favorite was a very large Lightning McQueen (from the movie Cars) car. Zach got tired of us looking around at stuff - IN THE TOY AISLE - and kept pleading to go home "Saschy go home pay boo car". Several cars and trains later, we did go home and Zach did get to play with blue car. He was quite disappointed that we would not allow him to take it to bed w/ him for his nap. I told him that it was too big, and he would put the car on his bed and say "It fits". So cute.

Sunday started off bizarrely (is that a word?). We attended church that is held in a movie theater. The church rents a few theaters for their morning service. Now granted, this was the most comfortable church service ever attended (stadium seating), it was still odd to drop Wyatt off in theater 12 for nursery, Zach off in theater 10 for 2s Sunday School, and attend service in theater 4. Then, coming out of the service was also strange, b/c you get hit with the smell of popcorn and people queuing up (my European influence) for movies. So odd. Then, glorious afternoon, Poppi kept the boys while Art and I went out to lunch and then to a coffee shop. So so so so great to get out with just the 2 of us! The evening was topped off by having the exquisite Carmen's Chicago-style pizza for dinner. So gooooooood.

Monday was rough. We were up at 6am and out of the house by 6:30am. Zach woke up surprisingly well - generally he is very very grumpy when awoken early. But I rubbed his back and asked "do you want to go to the airport with Poppi?" and he was up in a flash. Art was a gracious husband and stayed home AGAIN (he did on Friday evening as well) with Wyatt. Zach and I took Poppi. He got there with plenty of time to spare and we were able to play cars for a bit before he went to security. On the way home Zach said "I miss Poppi", then was quiet for a bit before saying, with excitement "Poppi coming". So he gets the concept that Poppi left, but will be coming back.

It was a wonderful weekend visit! Thanks for coming Poppi. And sadly, no, the shopping spree did not cure Zachary's mantra-like "Poppi get dat" and "Poppi get Sachy dat". He said it about a large SUV limo parked outside our weekly restaurant. Sigh.

Ah yes, the pics. Zach as Superman, Wyatt as a puppy (but his hood isn't on). Costumes compliments of Nana. Zachary t-or-ting. Wyatt T-r-Ting. Zachary reading his favorite book to Poppi. Zachary getting his favorite book read to him by Poppi.

Oh yes, we cut Zach's hair. It is very short. We hate it. He looks so old. About 2 minutes after we cut it (which is a huge ordeal in itself), Art said "let's never cut his hair again", meaning it's so much cuter long and shaggy. Oh well.