Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to gear up for my Second-Most-Favorite holiday of the year (Christmas, of course, being my First-Most-Favorite).

Hallowe'en. All-Hallows-Eve. The day Nerds eagerly await all year so they can dress up without being teased. Too much.

I should know; for you see, ten years ago the Star Wars Special Edition movies were released. Of course, being the Geek (yes, with a capital G) that I am, daughter, hubby and I all had Star Wars costumes. Daughter was a little six year old Princess Leia. Hubby was Vader and I a Stormtrooper (in my vintage Stormie helmet).

That Halloween, daughter wore her costume to school and during the After-School session. Unbeknownst to her, I had tipped off the After School Supervisor that we had a surprise in store.

When hubby and I arrived at her school at 5 pm, we darted into the bathrooms to change into our costumes. Hoping we wouldn't be seen (or stopped) by any well-meaning principal or janitor, we marched down to the gym where the kids were watching a movie.

Darth Vader powered up his lightsaber. I held my blaster at the ready. With helmets down, we burst into the darkened room; Vader's black cape billowing out behind him. As the saber illuminated us with its red glow, in the Sith Lord's best voice, hubby proclaimed "Princess Leia! You are under arrest! Come with me!"

Through the shaded eyepieces of the Stormtrooper helmet, I could see dozens of shocked children's faces, staring, wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

And then as if in unison, they turned to the back of the room following the line of sight to where my blaster was pointed. Directly at daughter, who was slowly sliding down in her seat, flushed with embarrassment. She was muttering "Oh, no.... that's my PARENTS!"

As the class sat dumbfounded, we escorted The Princess out of the gymnasium at blaster-point. But soon we were called back by the After School Supervisor to unmask and reveal ourselves.

It seems a few of the poor kids thought we REALLY were Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper and were quite worried about the fate of poor little Princess Leia...


Ten years later, daughter is STILL living down that memorable day to her classmates.