Baby Iauco: Black-Eyed Ballerina

Getting prepared for Halloween was a very big deal this year. Mary Grace was talking about her costume for about two months, so when it was finally time to dress up, she could hardly contain herself. We were given a chance to wear test our costumes at a couple of parties the week before Halloween, so we definitely got our use out of them. Molly and I dressed up as Smarty Pants and DJ Lance Rock (from Yo Gabba Gabba!), respectively, and Mary Grace was a beautiful ballerina (with a black eye). We had a little "run-in" with a coffee table and managed to secure a pretty impressive shiner the night before school pictures. Although it was very scary at the time, the doctor assured us that she was perfectly fine. She looks like a little bruiser.

Mary Grace's school hosted a Fall Festival where the children all wore their costumes and consumed large amounts of candy and junk food. They had a fire engine and a pony for the kids to ride, although we rode neither because we spent most of the time waiting in line to get cotton candy and popcorn. Molly and I believe this had quite a lot to do with why our daughter was running around the house like a crazy woman later that evening. It just so happened that the Fall Festival was on the same night as the black eye incident...

Halloween night was a very big deal this year. Not only was it Mary Grace's first real trick-or-treating experience, but it was also our first year handing out candy from our house. Right before we went trick-or-treating, we got all of the kids together at a neighborhood party to see everyone's costumes and share a few beers prior to the onslaught of kids that would arrive that evening. Mary Grace loved seeing all of her friends' costumes, but was especially interested in Mason, the older boy next door on whom she has a serious crush. Poor kid, he is trying to plan the best possible trick-or-treating routes with his buddies and here is this little girl who keeps walking over to him saying, "Hey Mason! Whatcha doing?"

The evening was a huge success. Mary Grace ate way too much candy, but had a tremendous time. We visited about ten houses in total, including the homes of Geegee and Poppie and other relatives. Mary Grace was very professional in her trick-or-treating method, but was clearly confused as to why we never went inside anyone's house. She would happily accept the candy, and then proceed to try to walk in the door of the person's home. After about the fifth house, she understood the process and things went smoothly from there. Despite buying five extra large bags of loot, we still managed to run out around eight o'clock.

Prior to Halloween, we spent a weekend in Raleigh with the Gallo and Mason families. We try to do this a few times a year, and always end up having a fantastic time. The kids love playing with one another, and now that Thomas is a little older, he is trying his best to keep up with Jack and Mary Grace. It will be so much fun to see these kids grow up together over the years.

In other news, life has been as exciting as ever. Mary Grace is doing well at school and loves to talk about what she gets to do at gymnastics. We are looking forward to a few fun vacations this winter and plan to host Thanksgiving at our house. We might have bitten off a little more than we can chew, but we'll see what happens. Here are some pictures of the last few weeks.

Mary Grace and her friend Molly playing in the bushes.

Molly's older sister Emily is so nice to Mary Grace. We love having them as neighbors.

Playing hide-and-seek with Daddy.

Snack time.

All dressed for school.

Playing the harmonica while Daddy tries to rest.

Our Halloween costumes.

Unfortunately, the first time that I ran downstairs in my costume yelling "Yo Gabba Gabba," I scared Mary Grace half to death. She has since warmed up to the act, and requests it often.