Cooper's First Participitory Halloween

So last year, for Halloween, Cooper was two weeks old and was pretty much a nonparticipant. Although we had a great time, our fun was a bit limited pumpkin carving and naps. Over the past year, it has been amazing to see how much Cooper has changed. Most parents probably already do this, but it seems like every holiday offers us a chance to look at Cooper and holiday memories with retrospect.


Halloween 2008, just for historical purposes.

This year was a bit more of an active holiday for Cooper, and we think he had a great time. The festivities began a few days prior to Halloween. We went to a local produce stand and purchased a pumpkin for carving. Cooper had a great time walking around (with help of course) the rows and rows of pumpkins. When we arrived back home, it was time to carve the pumpkin. We weren't sure what Cooper would think of the whole pumpkin carving process, but it turned out, he jumped in like he had done it before. It must have been the fact that we were using tools, which he loves. It was enjoyable for us to see him mimic our actions. He even helped me to scoop out the guts. Below are some photos of him helping.


Exploring the textures of the pumpkin.


Trying to assist Mommy with the marker.


Hopeful for the camera.


Mmmmm. Pumpkin guts.


If I am going to carve it, I should taste it.


Waiting to help daddy.


Really ready to help now!


Alright! Scooping out the seeds.


What do I do with this?


Right. Digging out the guts!


Little boys like to explore!


...and use tools.


2008 Halloween family portrait


2009 Halloween family portrait


Cooper sitting with the jack-o-lantern


Not sure about sitting on the porch.

For Halloween, Cooper was his namesake...a Coopersaurus destructus. We had a fun time watching him play in his costume. We then went trick-or-treating to a few of the neighbors' houses. He cried when our neighbor boisterously celebrated Cooper's presence. After Cooper recovered from that surprise, he got into it and enjoyed the other houses...mommy and daddy enjoyed the candy!


Coopersaurus visiting Grammy and Poppy on Skype.


Ready to go with the candy bag given to him by his Great Grandma Beulah.


Boo!


Waiting for our neighbor to answer the door.


Family portrait outside at night.


Cooper ready to continue the playing process.

We weren't too stingy with the candy though, we let Cooper eat a Dum-Dum. This was fun to watch. His enjoyment was wholesome...and messy. It's also a nice reward for all of those immunization shots he has had this year...but that's another story.






Eating a dum dum.