halloweenie

I had planned all along to dress up for Halloween at school today. I had hesitated because I had a new class starting, and I was all worried about never getting a second chance to make a first impression, but I decided what the heck. Then, yesterday, I found out about a union meeting at the Harvard Business School. Not appropriate to dress up at a meeting where, as a researcher, I'm trying to be as unobtrusive as possible, so I decided to bag the costume.

But as I was getting dressed this morning, I thought, am I not wearing a costume because I'm falling into the boring Harvard stay between the lines mentality? I thought, well, I could at least wear my orange wig. And as I was walking out the door, I grabbed my cowgirl hat. I realized walking to school that I had put on a cowgirlish shirt, so I decided that I was going to go dressed as a California organic farmer. On Saturday, I was the good witch of the west coast.

Now that I've started this third class, my Tues and Thurs feel very exhausting. I hestitated going to this union meeting - I would miss picking up Liam and I wouldn't be able to practice yoga. At the last minute, I decided to go. Interesting, as per usual, to go to a janitors union meeting at the ritziest place in Boston.

And I ended up having time to pick up Liam, which is always fun. We met Chris at the house, threw on Liam's firefighter costume and headed over to the Inman Square fire station, where they were having an open house. We waited outside for almost 30 minutes - they had been called away - the nerve. When they got back, of course Liam had a blast - even got to slide down the pole. Then headed over to a neighborhood park for a potluck and then trickortreating. It was nice to do something with the family - also to connect with our neighbors on the way back - a retired firefighter with three firefighter kids (I keep having to correct people - everyone says fireMAN) - and our neighbor across the street - a Globe editor.

Liam was so cute - he would whisper Trick or Treat. Liam didn't nap today, so he got pushed in the stroller and Kalian was on my back in the ergo. We were so lucky. It was a gorgeous night tonight - very balmy.

I feel so overwhelmed with work and applications - talked to Sally last night - still have to narrow schools - but it feels very grounding to spend time with the family - last night I had a blast with the kids - we laid on the floor and played laughing games. Thankfully, Liam woke up with a nightmare last night. Why thankfully? I went in at 9.30 to calm him down and fell asleep and got a great night's sleep. Gotta love those kids that ground me.