Sunday Outing

It’s a warm Sunday in mid-October.

We boys are heading out for an adventure!

Here we are in our stylish see-through travel backpack. There’s room for the three of us, and there is a special pouch for snacks.

Our first stop is the Spirit Halloween shop for costumes and decorations. Hey, look, Nibbles! They are hiring. You should get a job here so we can use your employee discount.

Check out this guy. The tag says he “dispenses candy out of [his] mouth”. Let me translate that for you: he throws up Butter Fingers. We won’t be eating any of those!

Yes! Here is a fluffy, soft SpongeBob hooded blanket. You know how I like warm blankets. I found my costume for this year.

And here is a bucket for my trick-or-treat goodies. Nibbles, head on in those double doors and get us all some chum-on-a-stick.

“Can you believe this?” Mr. T asked. “They are selling costumes of me! Let’s look around for a tiny inflatable boy to ride on my back. Or maybe an action figure from the toy store. That will be my costume this year.”

Nibbles engaged this skeleton in a scientific discussion. He pointed out that bones are not actually “connected” together. He asked this guy how he maintains his form without support tissue around his joints. Nibbles can be such a nerd.

We posed for a picture with — err, ON — the giant rat.

We make friends wherever we go. It’s easy because we are so cute. These friends were also shopping for costumes.

Excuse me, lovely employee lady. We are looking for a costume for Nibbles. Can you help?

Look, they have “Nibbles” costumes! Nibbles insists that Mickey is a distant relative on his mom’s side.

“Piggie,” Nibbles said, “I might go as you this year!”

“And I’m going as Big Nose — I mean Dad!” Said Mr. T.

Here we are hanging out with the spiders, rats, and flies. They looked lonely.

Ah yes. What’s Halloween without the ubiquitous squawking rubber chicken?

This helpful employee bagged all our goodies for us.

We donated to the “Spirit of Children” organization. They help make hospitals a little less scary for children. The website says they “bring the magic of Halloween to local hospitals all year long.” I’m really not sure how this works. Do they put on scary costumes and run into the kids’ rooms to calm their fears? Oh well. They must know what they are doing. We donated, and Mr. T rang the cowbell with his mouth.

Next, we headed to Bridge Street for Legos and candy! We hitched a ride on the train with a couple of young ladies. Be careful, Nibbles! Don’t fall out!

Look! There it is! The Lego store!

We spent an hour building at the Lego table. Nibbles was fascinated by the giant Lego chicken.

Time to pick out Christmas Legos. You know, Dad, Christmas is fast approaching. I want Santa to bring me Jack Sparrow’s pirate ship – the Black Pearl!

Oooo! Mr. T has selected the front-end loader! Nice choice!

Good choice, Nibbles. You’ll look sharp driving that red racecar down our hall at home!

We stopped at the Duplo table on the way out. Mr. T has little hands. These big Duplo blocks are easier for him to build with.

And now for the candy? What kind of candy, you ask? We don’t care what it is, as long as …

Giant tubs of chocolate! Nibbles, help me get this lid off, and we’ll go for a swim!

Next up: picking out our pumpkins to make Jack-o’-lanterns. Look, Nibbles. They are hiring here, too! You could always work two jobs. We need that discount; take one for the team.

You know how Nibbles loves to draw. He’s getting ideas for his pumpkin. Yes, it’s less messy to draw than to carve. I’ll share some of my roasted pumpkin seeds with you.

Dad needs some new walking shoes. Next stop: Dick’s Sporting Goods.

How about this one? I like the orange laces. Oh wait. He needs TWO shoes. What did you find, Mr. T?

Perfect second shoe! Now see if that has a volume control.

While Dad pays for his shoes, let’s test drive the putters. Ouch! They are expensive. We can just push the balls around for free.

And right next to Dick’s is – Game Stop! Let’s see if there are any new video games. Breath of the Wild is awesome, but after ten play-throughs, we need something new.