Early Trick-or-Treat
In what looks like a developing family tradition, we took the kids to Des Moines’ Blank Park Zoo yesterday for their annual Night Eyes event. Night Eyes is a trick-or-treat event designed to coax people into the zoo in late October, a time when few people want to spend a day outdoors in Iowa unless football is involved. About half of the zoo’s animals appeared to be absent as well, though I doubt they were attending football games, unless someone somewhere desperately needed a live sea otter mascot.
We took Abbie to Night Eyes for the first time last year. I remember carrying Abbie from greeter to greeter, holding out her treat sack, saying trick or treat for her, and generally trying to convince people that this was for her benefit, not ours. Then we went home, sent Abbie to nap, and ate most of the candy she accumulated.
This year went better, as Abbie followed directions somewhat and showed independence. This is a good thing since we had two extra children to trick-or-treat for this year. Of course to enjoy her independence we had to enter the zoo, which proved challenging.
The zoo was busy and the parking lot was full when we arrived. The only decent spot I found was between two other cars that were actively unloading. One car had a single toddler to prepare, but the other car was piloted by one of those inconsiderate families with more children than adults that leaves every car door wide open while they unload. This is completely different from our family that leaves every car door wide open while unloading because we have young children. This family had children who were at least old enough to move out of the way while the others unloaded so I could park instead of idling in the aisle for a couple minutes.
After that initial does of aggravation, we unloaded, walked to the entry building, and stumbled upon one of Abbie’s current quirks; she hates dark enclosed spaces like the zoo’s entrance. While I fumbled through my wallet for the cash needed for entry, she screamed in terror at my side. I’ve grown so adept at ignoring her screams that I never thought to comfort her while paying for our tickets, making me one of those dads who lets his kids scream.
Once we walked into the open spaces, Abbie calmed down. Ellie pushed the boys in the stroller while Abbie walked to the side and I stayed back to ensure that Abbie stays in position. We walked from station to station, picking up treats like suckers, chocolates, and a can of Hawaiian Punch for some reason. After a couple stations, Abbie caught the idea, possibly thanks to the trick-or-treat training episode of Dora we’ve watched extensively this week. She held her own treat sack the entire time, though she did insist on carrying a treat in her other hand the entire time for ballast. She would hold the bag out for a treat when prompted and utter three syllables that, if you weren’t listening carefully, might be confused with the phrase “trick-or-treat.”
Abbie must have enjoyed the zoo because she willingly walked the entire pathway. The boys were harder to read since they sat motionless in their stroller the entire time, either taking in the experience or just wondering why they couldn’t play with their toys. Abbie wound up with a sack full of treats, and the boys each had sacks full. Of course they’re too young to eat their treats, so Ellie and I get a sack apiece. And now, photographic evidence of our adventure:
Our herd is parading to the next treat station. Abbie is a fairy princess, or Tinkerbell if you insist on licensed characters.
The boys are in their stroller. Tory is in front, flashing a rare bit of emotion during the day, and is dressed as a lion. Ian is in back dressed as a pumpkin.
Our family stopped for a picture. Abbie is still clutching her treat sack, Ian is interested in the camera, and Tory just wants to play with his blocks again.
We took Abbie to Night Eyes for the first time last year. I remember carrying Abbie from greeter to greeter, holding out her treat sack, saying trick or treat for her, and generally trying to convince people that this was for her benefit, not ours. Then we went home, sent Abbie to nap, and ate most of the candy she accumulated.
This year went better, as Abbie followed directions somewhat and showed independence. This is a good thing since we had two extra children to trick-or-treat for this year. Of course to enjoy her independence we had to enter the zoo, which proved challenging.
The zoo was busy and the parking lot was full when we arrived. The only decent spot I found was between two other cars that were actively unloading. One car had a single toddler to prepare, but the other car was piloted by one of those inconsiderate families with more children than adults that leaves every car door wide open while they unload. This is completely different from our family that leaves every car door wide open while unloading because we have young children. This family had children who were at least old enough to move out of the way while the others unloaded so I could park instead of idling in the aisle for a couple minutes.
After that initial does of aggravation, we unloaded, walked to the entry building, and stumbled upon one of Abbie’s current quirks; she hates dark enclosed spaces like the zoo’s entrance. While I fumbled through my wallet for the cash needed for entry, she screamed in terror at my side. I’ve grown so adept at ignoring her screams that I never thought to comfort her while paying for our tickets, making me one of those dads who lets his kids scream.
Once we walked into the open spaces, Abbie calmed down. Ellie pushed the boys in the stroller while Abbie walked to the side and I stayed back to ensure that Abbie stays in position. We walked from station to station, picking up treats like suckers, chocolates, and a can of Hawaiian Punch for some reason. After a couple stations, Abbie caught the idea, possibly thanks to the trick-or-treat training episode of Dora we’ve watched extensively this week. She held her own treat sack the entire time, though she did insist on carrying a treat in her other hand the entire time for ballast. She would hold the bag out for a treat when prompted and utter three syllables that, if you weren’t listening carefully, might be confused with the phrase “trick-or-treat.”
Abbie must have enjoyed the zoo because she willingly walked the entire pathway. The boys were harder to read since they sat motionless in their stroller the entire time, either taking in the experience or just wondering why they couldn’t play with their toys. Abbie wound up with a sack full of treats, and the boys each had sacks full. Of course they’re too young to eat their treats, so Ellie and I get a sack apiece. And now, photographic evidence of our adventure:
Our herd is parading to the next treat station. Abbie is a fairy princess, or Tinkerbell if you insist on licensed characters.
The boys are in their stroller. Tory is in front, flashing a rare bit of emotion during the day, and is dressed as a lion. Ian is in back dressed as a pumpkin.
Our family stopped for a picture. Abbie is still clutching her treat sack, Ian is interested in the camera, and Tory just wants to play with his blocks again.
posted by Matt at
10:27 PM
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