Halloween in Berkeley

These two scored some cake pops at the neighborhood block party (Leeor was all, "What are they eating?? What is that?" and I had to confess that my knowledge of cake pops, literally, a bite of cake on a stick, comes from my cousin who is a super-duper party-planner and knower of all details) and couldn't have been happier.
The second born eats a lot more sugar than her brother did at this age, but who is keeping track?
She was one happy, teething, and then very tired little ducky tonight.
Neta men know how to love on babies.
Avi suggested to Safta and I that we do "one-two-three-wheeeeee!" with Lilit, who was happy to oblige. Avi is getting awfully thoughtful when it comes to his little sister.

I was so thrilled that Jen, Itay and Isaac wanted to join us--certainly it would have been easier for them to remain in their lovely Davis hood for the festivities, but it was much sweeter for us to get to share the party with them. Not to mention, Jen takes the best photos, and she and Itay fashioned an impromptu cat costume for me.
Jen made Isaac's Mr. Potato Head, too, which was super adorable on him.
Safta made Avi's pirate costume and he kept saying, "Argh, Mickey!" instead of, "Argh, Matey!"
Our front porch gets this crazy golden light around sunset . . . I just love our home.
These two are about to spend a lot of time together on the flight to Israel next week--just a hunch.

Avi had originally picked out a SWAT team costume from Costco and then decided at the last minute he didn't want to be "a police." I felt bad, as if somehow my judgment of his choice had gotten to him and he felt my disapproval. Really, who cares if he wants to be a SWAT team with a baton and everything? Except that I did. Luckily, Safta had made him a pirate costume he was all too happy to wear.
The Halloween pre-party was all cousin love. We sat in Avi's room and just giggled with the kids.

Our first East bay Halloween was a great success. And over early, for which I am grateful.

Now Leeor is watching The Walking Dead (ewww! I can hear the zombie noises from my cozy blogging perch in our room) while the kids sleep. Avi answered the door all apologetic to our final trick-or-treaters, "I'm so sorry, we have no more candy!"with deep sincerity. He loved handing out candy as much as he loved going door-to-door, though when his pumpkin was half-full he declared he'd gotten "enough." That was one of my favorite moments from tonight, also when he asked if he could eat one of his "treats" and then picked the fruit snacks. He was too tired for books, "How about just two books; actually, I don't want to read any books," which is how we knew how exhausted he really was.

It was a great night. Leeor is teasing me as he looks over my shoulder; now he's humming the them song from Doogie Howser. I feel as dorky as Doogie right now, again uncertain how to wrap up a post. I still have my cat make-up on and need to get up and wash off my whiskers.

I couldn't help but think about San Francisco tonight, that last year we climbed up and down our hilly hood on Halloween with Avi dressed as "the girl Woody," and Lilit the sweetest ladybug. I remember how she slept on my shoulder as we strolled, a mere 5 months old. Tonight she was keeping up with the big kids and Avi was quickly over the block party, preferring instead to trick-or-treat.

There is something more settled about all of us this year. Our family feels complete. I held my friend's new baby this morning and Lilit marveled at his tiny toes and wrists with me. My big girl and my baby; my son who has moments of longing for babyhood. Our kids were so sweet tonight, all my worries about Halloween over-indulgence unfounded. They surpass my expectations again and again.

Our trip to Israel is the next thing for us, so now it's time to be planning this next week. Tomorrow is my last Tuesday of work until after Thankgiving. We are so overdue for a family vacation. I can't wait!