I’ve never been a real fan of Halloween and was hoping that living in Tanzania would mean I could just ignore it altogether. But I had vowed to be better about getting out more as a family so the Halloween party hosted by a nearby restaurant seemed like a good opportunity to do that.

I waited until the very last minute put together costumers for Max and Elly and, in hindsight, I’m kicking myself for going with such gender stereotypical choices: Max as a basketball player and Elly as a ballerina. (Note to self for next year: start earlier.)

Elly was a little unsure of what was going on when they herded all the kids together for a costume parade. She and Max were the youngest there so they got to be first in line.

All uncertainty went away, though, once she figured out that brown paper bag I gave her was going to be the receptacle for some sweet treats!

Max was quite thrilled to find a lollypop in his treat bag. (I was not so thrilled, though, to discover it had a bubble gum center.)

But the highlight of the day for him was discovery the sandbox in the children’s play area.

Elly was more interested in coloring than getting dirty in the sand.

Neither of them was very cooperative in letting me get a good picture of them in their costumes.Despite not liking Halloween myself, I will say Max and Elly make it much more fun. So now the goal is to plan well ahead for costumes next year.