Vampires, Pumpkins, and Axe-Throwing
September means many things in our books. For some, it is that start of Fall. My favorite part about September is the start of Holidays, as well as Pumpkin Spice Lattes (although PSLs might be coming out as early as August now). Here in Northern California, it is also time for RenFest…Huzzah! Luckily for Grandma Debbie and Papa Bill, September was the month that they helped watch Bronte. So apart from exposing them to great San Francisco food (though do not ask mom how she liked a particular pizza place - cause let’s face it, they just don’t make it like they do in Ohio!), taking them to Alcatraz, evenings with card games, walking in the Panhandle Park, and watching them drive away in a driverless car, we took them to the much celebrated Renaissance Festival.
And….we got them to dress up! Mom even threw a few axes along side Jamie. Bronte slept during the Dirty Laundry Show, but we dressed her up in frills and let her play in the fairy forest. It was our first time changing diapers on hay stacks and watching the Jousting Tournament with a baby on our shoulders. Welcome to our world, baby Bronte!
For Bronte’s first Halloween, we looked forward to introducing her to all of our traditions. We ensured that she would sit supported by pumpkins as we did a photo shoot with her and Lemon. Grandma Jane was there to help hold her steady, and to wipe her mouth of dirt and hay (Bronte very much liked licking the dusty pumpkins). As always, Bronte loves watching Lemon, and on that sunny day at the pumpkin patch, she giggled as Lemon navigated the multitude of squash.
Of the several pumpkins that we picked at Pastorino’s Pumpkin Farm, a wide thick one was used to make pants for Bronte. One night Jamie carved leg holes in the pumpkin, and the next morning before we began work, we took Bronte to the edge of the park and did a naked photo shoot. It was chilly so we had to work quickly, and the photos turned out to be priceless. I mean, look at that smile!
The options for our Halloween costume were endless. Should we do cutesy, obscure, or classic? For many years to come, Bronte will have opinions on what she would like to dress up as. And until that time, it was decided that we will do classic. What is more classic, than vampires at Halloween? Jamie did dark gothic, Dracula-esque vampire, while I did Lucy Westenra from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Bronte and Lemon matched with their black capes lined with red. We promenaded along the Great Highway Trick or Treat, as well as along the Cole Valley neighborhood party. Everyone loved Bronte’s pacifier, and when they noticed a Dracula chihuahua also in the coffin-cart, they were tickled. We had so much fun.
