When we were living in Tromsø we did not celebrate Halloween. At least, the Norwegians didn't.
But, Nick was going to Oslo on business at the embassy, and since the embassy was having a Halloween party for the American kids in the embassy community, it seemed like it would be fun to take our three to have some Halloween fun as well.
I made the kids' costumes. The most challenging part for me was trying to figure out what the Norwegian word for the color "orange" is. The fruit, orange is not necessarily the color we have in the States. Same goes for pumpkins. A pumpkin in much of the world is seen only as a vegetable and might not be very orange at all. So, I told the lady in the fabric store that I needed "carrot" colored fabric. That worked out just fine! I am sure she wondered why anyone would want to make something carrot colored!
We packed up our suitcases, costumes and all and flew to Oslo with Nick. We were staying in a hotel. Since Nick had to work, I was in charge of getting the kids to the embassy party.
It was cool enough to wear coats and jackets. I remember wondering what people thought of Courtney. She had a dress on over her tutu, and a coat over that. Of course Morgan had a pumpkin hat on. And Darcy was dressed as a clown.
I just remember standing there waiting for a taxi and feeling very self conscious. And a bit silly too. I restrained myself from laughing out loud for fear of being hauled off to the loony bin. I suppose they have them here!
Notice "The Pumpkin". Nick's mother gave it to us so we could have seasonal decorations wherever in the world we might be living. It is in the pictures of the kids that were taken in 1985. And now, it is in our house in Aldie Virginia in 2021
