Everybody knows

Since she's been able to talk C4 has been insistent that she isn't fond of dressing up. So this past Halloween she consented to doing the Halloween thing ... dressing up as an owner, and Q2 was the dog. So, not much of a costume, there, but totally acceptable for me.

One of the houses we visited belonged to Mr. J, a local busybody, dog owner, Hyattsville institution, and generally all-around good person.

He and his wife go ALL OUT for Halloween ... so my kids wanted to go see the lights, of course. But they hadn't counted on Mr. J and his wife being in costume themselves.

Yes, costumes. Big, black robes. Hoods. And masks. Yes, masks. C4 saw those robed, hooded, masked creatures and instantly sat down, and would not go any closer. This still across their driveway, maybe 25-30 feet from them. I understood, and so did Mr. J, who immediately took off his mask and hood and came over to give her a piece of candy.

However, to this day C4 is totally against Mr. J. She prefers to walk on the other side of the street, actually. If he comes up to see us, she hides her head in my leg if she is walking, or covers her eyes if she is in Big Blue. ***

Yesterday, we were walking to a local grocery to see if they had sour cream or yogurt so we could make blueberry scones. C4 asked me if we'd go by Mr. J's house on our way to the grocery. The answer was yes. So C4 turned around and walked to the corner and told me she wanted to walk on the other side of the street, even though they were icy and slippery.

I whined and cajoled, but gave in, since Q2 had also followed suit and walked back to cross the street at the corner.

We walked along ... and came upon Mr. J, who crossed the stree to say hi to use. Q2 waved and said hi, and when Mr. J came up she gave him a hug. C4? In my arms. Mr. J was cool, and waved it off and crossed back to his house. We kept walking.

A few minutes later ... he was back. With a BOX of chocolates. C4 practically flung herself at him, grabbed the box, and gave him a hug.

She still doesn't want to pass in front of his house, but I'm not opening those chocolates until she walks in front of his house and looks Mr. J in the eye again.