Rafael's Blog: Halloween 2009

We waited til the last minute (about 4 days ago) before we got Rafael a costume. We did attempt to get him one last weekend but it seemed like Halloween is one occassion, a lot of parents go out early to get their kids the most unique outfit to wear on Halloween. Almost every store we went to, the costumes were almost sold out that the leftovers were mostly for the older kids. So Angel called me at work one afternoon saying she found Sesame Street's Elmo that had Rafael's size! When Angel got home, we tried it on Rafael and the size is perfect! Problem was he didn't want to take it off! He relented but not after a loud cry.

So today was the day. Picked up Angel from work and rushed to Arcadia where the Kids for Christ workshop was held. After the workshop was the Halloween costume parade. The parade had already started when we got there so we hurriedly put on Elmo. Temps were in the high 80's but he didn't mind. In fact, he liked it so much. He was the last in line because he was late. A lady stuck a number up his chest. It turns out that it wasn't just a costume parade but a costume contest. So when Rafael's turn came up, people cheered him on (even people we didn't even know). I guess being the youngest and the last kid at the parade, he got a lot of attention. We carried him out to the playground and attempted to take off his costume as it was furry and warm but he didn't want to when all of a sudden, we heard that the first prize for the 0-3 year old category was won by number 69. When I looked at Rafael's number it was 69! I couldn't believe it! It's the first time in my life that I or someone close to me had actually won anything! Anyhow, these are the few photos we were able to take from where we were. We weren't prepared as our main concern was that he make it to the parade.