So I’m here on the porch as the festivities begin. So far, we’ve had a princess, a zombie, Harry Potter, and some unidentified teenagers. Maybe 12 or 13 kids so far. It has barely begun.

I have to confess. I am shocked that we’re at 100% thank you compliance at this point. It’s 6:40 pm. If you remember last year, we ended up well under the 50% compliance mark. Huge disappointment.

It’s starting to get cold. I had hoped that it would stay a little warmer since I prefer to sit outside and watch the goings on… But I might not make it. I have a small temperature comfort zone. But the computer is warm and I have it on my lap. That might get me through. I would, however, prefer a coffee with B&B. Probably not an option because a) I don’t have any B&B and b) the neighbors would be mortified to smell alcohol on the breath of the candy-giver-outer. Don’t you think? Just seems wrong.

So I’m watching across the street and there’s a huge mob. They are young and old and very giggly. But it’s dark and I can’t see them at all. As they work their way around the cul-de-sac I wonder if I know any of them. I probably do. It’s not that big a town.

This year, we got a huge candy variety. I am curious to see what is left at the end. Was chocolate preferred? Chewy and sweet (like Starburst & Skiddles) preferred? Only time will tell. I am so lucky to have such pressing questions in my head. Deep stuff. I like chocolate candy: Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, Baby Ruth. But I also really like SweetTarts, Skiddles, Spree. I really like Spree.

Funny about Spree, though. It’s a the movie theater. Always in the store. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like it. But it’s never mentioned. No one talks about Spree. It just doesn’t have the cache. Why, you ask? I have no idea.

It’s 6:52 and I hear the first casualty. A screaming, crying kid down the block. I don’t know if she fell or if she lost her candy or what, but yikes. Make that kid quiet down. What do you think this is? A kid’s free-for-all? Oh wait…

I hear Reed talking to his friend. I don’t see him, it’s dark and he is several doors away. But he’s suggesting a candy break. Let’s eat some candy before we move on. Now that’s my boy.

Some huge boys just came by. They’re probably only 15 or 16, but they towered over me. Odd. I suppose my guys will be taller than me soon. Not something I’m looking forward to really. But it’ll be here before I know it.

Some little guys in Ravens uniforms just got here. Oh wait just a second. I’ve seen these little Ravens before. Or have I?

The ringleader (about 5 years old) shouts “it’s my birthday!” and then I’m sure. “You’ve been here before!” What I meant to say was get your grubby little hands out of the candy! You already got a handful. And I mean a handful. I remember that kid. That’ll teach him to say “it’s my birthday” at every house, now, won’t it?

It’s 7:27. Feels like I’ve been sitting here for an eternity. Turns out it has only been an hour. One dinky hour. Wow. If time flies when you’re having fun, is it fair to say that it creeps and crawls when you’re not?

Well, it hasn’t been that bad. Some of the kids are awfully cute. Like the mom dressed like Dorothy with the toddler triplets – tin man, lion and scarecrow. OMG. Too cute for words. Don’t you dare tell anyone that I enjoyed part of this night.

If you do, I’ll get you, my pretty.

I admit it. That’s pretty cool. (But I still hate Halloween.)

Anyone need some free thyme?

I just found out a friend and colleague of mine is pregnant for the first time. She is the age I was when I was pregnant with Davis. She is in the same career I was. Oddly, she is a lot like me in a lot of ways. Ambitious. Outgoing. Confident.

And she thinks that, while life will change and she’ll have child care issues and the like, that in many ways her life will be the same.

It won’t.

You know that and I know that.

But we all know, too, that there is no telling a woman that she is going to change BIG TIME when she is not ready to believe.

And believe me, she is not ready.

A very old, dear friend of mine had her first son after all three of mine were born. She called me and said she finally understood. It made an impression on me.

Almost as much of an impression as the fact that before Davis was born, she sent me a gift – a city bag (like a sportsac) and A Very Long Engagement to read ‘during labor.’

I couldn’t make that up. Seriously.

I laughed and laughed and laughed. And I put it away.

Until…

I sent it to her just before her first son was born. To read during labor.

She was able to laugh at herself for sending it in the first place. And to laugh at me for sending it back. And, of course, I knew that she just didn’t know.

It’s like that with kids. No way to know…until you know.

That’s why I think it’s really helpful to have friends with kids just a little older than yours. It’s great to peak into the future so you can prepare yourself for the things to come.

I love my kids. I love my life.

But it bears no resemblance to the life I thought I’d be living now. That doesn’t mean I’m disappointed. I’m not.

I couldn’t be happier.

Andrew and I are off for a super-secret getaway. 36 hours of just being a couple. Can you imagine?

We’re staying in a 4-star hotel and eating tonight in a swanky restaurant.

Kid-coverage was a birthday present from Liz. (Thanks!) And dinner is covered by anniversary gifts from both our parents. (Thanks to you guys too!)

We won’t be answering the phone or email. Or even the door.

My guys love – and I mean love -The Guinness Book of World Records and books like it. They have a ton of them. Together, they sit and pore over every page. Over and over and over and over and over.

Not only is it a joy to watch, but it’s really cool how much they learn.

They’ve been itching to pool their allowance to buy the 2008/special red shiny edition.

I happened to see it on sale at Costco (cheap$$) and picked it up about a month ago. Waiting for the right moment…..

I brought it out tonight.

Their reaction was not at all disappointing!

A form in 3 languages – Korean, Chinese, and Spanish offering interpreters for the upcoming elementary school conferences. How cool is that?