Pandemic Week 85: Happy Halloween!

 Halloween festivities returned this year, starting with the annual Vienna Halloween parade on October 27.  This is the biggest event in Vienna each year.  While the parade was slightly smaller than past years (it is not a full parade unless the Shriners are there in the little cars....and they were absent), it was still great to get out.   Anna put on her costume and met up with her friends.  Joe & Theresa found a place by the announcer's booth and watched from there.

Neighborhood festivities were held on Saturday, including the neighborhood parade and games along with a pumpkin carving contest at the local clubhouse.  Anna volunteered to assist with games and was assigned to the tattoo table to apply Halloween tattoos to the kids.  There was also a food truck and one of the neighborhood bands set up to play.  Fortunately the weather cooperated and a good time was had by all.

Sunday turned out to be a good weather day for Halloween.  Theresa took Joe & Anna down to her new work location, which is near the baseball stadium.  The entire area was redeveloped with lots of areas to see, including a trail along the Anacostia River.  After exploring, they grabbed some lunch and headed home to prepare for the evening.  Theresa finished decorating the annual pumpkin cookies.  Anna  & Joe carved pumpkins (you will note that Anna carved Marilyn Monroe on her pumpkin  while Joe was clearly trying to capture a likeness of himself).  Anna had a party at a friend's house.  She dressed up as Thelma from Scooby Doo.  A couple of her friends decided to go extreme trick-or-treating, which involved a 4-mile route around Vienna (Anna did not participate in this adventure).  They didn't make it the entire way, but apparently they did succeed in filling an Amazon box with candy.  Theresa dressed up Storm in his monster costume for his nightly walk, but he decided he did not want to go very far (perhaps he was embarrassed by his costume).  There were significantly fewer trick-or-treaters this year.  Last year we had to run out for extra candy.  This year we will be returning a large, unopened bag.  Where did all the trick-or-treaters go?  Perhaps with the return of activities, kids had more options.  Last year everyone was stuck at home, but we had a festive celebration.

Anna get to enjoy a couple of days off school thanks to a teacher work day and election day - perfect recovery after a busy weekend.

Happy Halloween!





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