Halloween's Treat

Halloween is Jess' favorite "holiday". So, I was so happy that she was actually feeling pretty good. I commented to her that "this was the first time in three years that [she] has felt well enough to participate" in Halloween. I take this as a good omen. So, Jake dressed up like a black cat, and we attended a Halloween hob-nob thrown by a neighbor in the next block, and met a bunch of other neighbors. I had no idea how many children we had in our midst until last night! But we arrived a little late, and we arrived just in time to observe those wild race horses flee the restriction of their gates; other families' kids went bounding from the house to make their respective trick-or-treating rounds. So, the house was practically empty when we walked in, which was nice, because this gave us a comfortable opportunity for quieter times with the hostess and her two little boys who are close to Jake's age. I saw him actually play with her 9 month old which was rewarding. Also, it was good for both of Jake's parents to socialize in a way that is so immediately relevant. Our part time baby sitter also watches the hostess two boys on the days when she is not with us. And sometimes she walks Jake over there for play time. So, Jake was more right at home than his parents, were! The hostess, also a stay at home mother, offered that if Jess wanted to come over --at any time -- with or without Jake, that she is welcome. It seems that after spending so much time sort of couped up --  in cancer treatment mode -- it is a relief to spread out and find people, who live in the neighborhood,  just so friendly, and so generous. Later, Jess and I took Jake to some other neighbors for greetings and candy solicitation. He is so young that he doesn't have a clue. He was a tired little kitty by the time we returned. And so he circled in his crib three times, kneeded his blanky for several minutes, and took a big cat nap.