Not a SINGLE UNICEF trick-or-treater dared knock on my door last night. I'm strangely disappointed. I mean, I'm obviously glad that they weren't rampant (or maybe they were warned to avoid our house by the newsletter staff!), but at the same time, I wanted to change someone's mind. And I was feeling pretty scrappy, dangit. Ah well, there's always next year to look forward to!

We leave for Mexico on Saturday morning. We are embarking on our yearly mission trip (and, if you remember, the impetus for our adoption). This year will be a little different, in that we will be in the remote mountains instead of a city of 5 million. I suspect we will be "roughing it". Most of the week, L and I are sharing a room with another couple (whom we have yet to meet). That should be interesting.

Normally I really look forward to this trip, almost as much as I do a "real" vacation. This year, having just returned from Guatemala, I'm not as ready to go as usual. I hate leaving Hatchling again so soon. He was saying, "I lost my mommy and I can't find her" when we were in GC. I am afraid he will think we aren't coming back. Also, his behavior has been far from desirable lately. I think it is a combination of being sick and the general upheaval he senses in our household, along with the fact that he is two. Whatever it is, he is not my sweet boy much of the time these days. However, I read 1-2-3 Magic yesterday, and I am hoping that three good days of following it will lick him into shape before I pawn him off on poor Aunt Brookie. My optimism is staggering, I know.

How do you get rid of your jack-o-lanterns? Cut them up and put them down the garbage disposal? Put them in the trash? Leave them outside so teenagers can bust them all over your porch? Bust them all over the porches of neighbors who let their dogs poo on your lawn?