Kakahead

Tickling a grandchild is very important.  Techniques are varied, but some are steeped in tradition.  This one was passed down from my beautiful girlfriend’s family:

The “tickling hand” is closed with the exception of the index finger pointed straight out.  Next, the hand is moved in a circle, drawing ever closer to the target.  Since we only have one grandchild, we are the ticklers and Oliver is the ticklee.  As the circling hand is in motion, the following refrain is unleashed, all the while maintaining an impish look and complete, unwaivering eye contact…

“Bumblebee bumblebee right from the farm… I’m gonna get Oliver… under the arm!!”   At this time, serious tickling is in progress.  This of course is repeated a few times, and then given a rest until a later time (sometimes just a little bit later).

As luck would have it, my beautiful girlfriend (who was kind enough to married me some years ago) and our beautiful daughter were at an outlet mall last year.  My honey found a bumblebee costume for Ollie at Old Navy for a whopping four dollars!!  Such a splendid bargain, and it came in very handy for this past Hallowe’en.  As you can see, Ollie’s mind was focused on getting some loot.  Click on the picture for a bigger view.

I'm gonna get me some candy!!

His trick-or-treating pal was Fern, the Care Bear.  Again, click for a better look.

Ready to go!

As we escorted Ollie through Fern’s neighborhood, Ollie announced to his Care Bear friend, “time to hold hands!!”   I don’t think they were very pleased with the flash but I simply had to get a picture of that!!

Time to hold hands!

As we “big kids” were walking about and enjoying the various ghouls, goblins, and other festive get-ups, we couldn’t help but reminisce about our own childhoods.  Having started in Long Island, NY, my brothers, my sister and I were pretty much in Candy Land when trick-or-treating time came along.  We would literally fill a pillowcase with candy, go home and dump it (in what we believed to be a secure location), and go out and get at least another half load.  Our poor parents were probably tested to the max once we got all sugared up.

We had mischievous souls in our day; but usually nothing more than some shaving cream on door handles or something innocuous like that.  Of course we did have the “bad eggs” who would prove their naughtiness by throwing them.  Nothing really destructive though.

That of course has changed to some degree.  What with “Devils Night” arson and other such nasty business, now there are churches and other organizations who sponsor “trunk-or-treating,” where kids go to a parking lot and walk from car to car to get their goodies.  All well and good I suppose, but in my book, the old fashioned trick-or-treating is still the best entertainment for the kids, young and old.

There, I said it:  old fashioned.  Well what the heck, I’m a dinosaur/hippie/tree hugger/baby boomer guy.  I’m allowed to be a little old fashioned.  We still love Hallowe’en.  My lovely wife (girlfriend) “makes” me watch “The Great Pumpkin” Charlie Brown classic every year.  This year I showed her:  I “made” her watch “The Bride of Frankenstein.”

Our little bumblebee loves Hallowe’en too I think, but for the same primal reason as we had when we were kids.

“What do you like best about Hallowe’en, Ollie??”  I asked today.

“CANDY!!” he said without hesitation.

Ollie’s not quite three, so he won’t be watching any Popeye cartoons at our house for several years. But I couldn’t help but go hunting for a Hallowe’en cartoon so here you go!