Byron goes home

This morning I drove Byron and his suitcase full of Trick-or-Treat goodies back to the zoo. 

As he climbed into the car he said, 'Thank you very much for having me, Wilson's New Dad.' Oh, he's so polite!

I'm sure he enjoyed his time here, but I think he was beginning to miss his mum, Mrs Vermilingua, and all his brothers and sisters. 

After we'd left Byron at the zoo with his family, Wilson was very quiet on the journey home. Now that we're back, though, his thoughts have turned to: Bonfire Night!

Wilson and Byron divide up their booty...

Now that Hallowe'en finally over, Wilson and Byron divided up their booty. 

They gave a few sweets each to Polly-B, Antony and Tiny Toy and put some aside for the sTone Brothers. Then Wilson said that, apart from a few of his favourites, Byron could have the rest to take home and share with his many siblings.

I thought that was a kind gesture. Moreover, it will avoid last year's embarrassing incident when Wilson tried to sell his Hallowe'en plunder back to the neighbours from whom he'd got them!

I wonder whether I should give the zoo dentist a call to warn him of what's on its way?

Photographs of the lovely WILSON are by Tamanduagirl at 

http://www.livingwithanteaters.com/ and are used by kind permission.

Trick or Treat!

Wilson spent yesterday evening telling Halloween ghost stories to Byron. When bedtime came, they were both so scared that they had to sleep in my bed. You can probably guess how much sleep any of us got.

Anyway, here they both are ready to go Trick-or-Treating in the neighbourhood. I shall accompany them just to see that they don't get up to mischief or into trouble, but Wilson has given me strict instructions to keep out of sight, saying 'We're not babies, New Dad! Well, Byron is, obviously, but I'm six years old!' 

Waiting for Halloween...

Now that Wilson's Hallowe'en preparations are complete, he spent today sorting through his socks while Byron amused himself playing with Antony and Tiny Toy. 

I think they're both just trying to pass the time until tomorrow.

W has promised to tell Byron some ghost stories later, to get him in the Hallowe'en mood. 

I hope they're not too scary — I don't want to have nightmares.

Pumpkin Soup - the secret recipe

The boys have been in the kitchen for most of the day making pumpkin soup from the carved-out insides of their prize-winning pumpkins. 

Wilson says that it's his Secret Recipe, but as far as I can see it's just all the old favourites boiled up together: Ant Gin, Ants, Onion, Chillies and Stock all stirred into a Pumpkin base. Not forgetting an Ant Garnish, of course!

They're planning to eat it when they return from Trick-or-Treating on Thursday, to warm them up.

I think Wilson is expecting Byron to do the washing-up. 

Sibling Rivalry

This morning the time came for me to judge the Best Carved Pumpkin competition. Both boys carried their entries into the garden, set them down on the lawn and looked at me expectantly.

I had been dreading this moment, as someone was certain to be disappointed. However, as the two entries had been carved in such contrasting styles I decided to award two prizes — one for the Cutest Pumpkin, one for the Scariest. 

Everyone seemed satisfied, although Wilson complained that there should have been an additional prize for the Largest Pumpkin, while Byron argued for a Smallest Pumpkin prize, and another prize for the pumpkin carved by the youngest competitor. 

Sibling rivalry is a terrible thing.

Richard Feynman

Last night Wilson checked with me whether the clocks went forward or backward, then went round the house adjusting them all. Byron saw him doing this, assumed it was a game, and proceeded to adjust them all as well. Including the ones W had already done. By random amounts…

This morning there was a very competitive air in the kitchen as the pumpkins were carved. Byron has gone for the winsome look, while Wilson has opted for downright scary! I am supposed to judge them later, which I'm not looking forward to. I'm guessing that Dead Heat for Joint First Place won't cut it…

Artist of the framed print in the spare bedroom is: theoretical physicist Richard Feynman.

No one correctly identified him as the artist of this cute sketch!