Happy Halloween
Halloween is a mixed bag at our casa. Some years a child knows for weeks ahead of time what s/he wants to be…and sticks with that decision clear through to the end. (Zachary’s ninja year is an example of this.)
Other years we aren’t really sure what the costumes are going to be until a day or so before.
This year, we brought it in even closer to the wire when Yessa decided, after we got home from CrossFit Kids at 5:15, that she was going to be a cat this year. She found all the parts, and she was ready to go trick-or-treating by the time Buds got home at 6:30.
The pumpkin carving follows a similar pattern. Last year we didn’t even carve pumpkins, Monkey was sick on Halloween night, so the little ones had to gather her candy for her, and she wasn’t really sad about it.
So, Halloween isn’t our favorite holiday, though it is enjoyed.
This year, though, I was frightfully tickled by the jack-o-lanterns. Thanks to Pinterest, I’ve discovered the vast number of free templates on the internet for pumpkin carving. Monkey designed and carved hers all on her own, which really impressed me, but the little ones had big plans, and wanted help with their carving. We printed out the templates they chose, and since Buds had a work problem that had to be solved, I was pressed into service as the master carver.
If you know me at all, you know that I’m proud of having no crafting ability. I love having beloved friends who are amazingly gifted with creativity and artistic talent. I can follow instructions just fine, but please, please, please, do not ask me to come up with an idea on my own. It will be a failure of epic, comedic proportions, I promise. Hence, I was so grateful the images The Buster and Yessa wanted carved came out looking like the images they wanted carved. And Monkey carved her own for the first time. That was really impressive to me.
Coach Maggie, dressed as the Big Bad Wolf, gave out treat bags (filled with non-food items, or healthy foods), at CrossFit Kids.
Then, home to trot around our neighborhood.
Waiting to head out.
The children were happy with wandering in our neighborhood where we know everyone. We did have several teachable moments on Halloween etiquette.
The Buster’s well-known devotion to Kit Kats caused him to rifle through the bowl at the first house, look up at our neighbor and say, “There is nothing here of interest to me.”
Hugely funny to his parents, knowing his dry sense of humor, but potentially hurtful or rude to the uninitiated. Hasty family meeting on the sidewalk ensued with parents giving very clear instructions about how to handle the giving of FREE CANDY!
Parents saying, “Take one piece of candy unless the homeowner tells you you may take more than that.”
This led to younger two children looking up at the person holding the candy bowl and saying, “How much candy can I take?”
Another family meeting ensued…
Children now apparently rendered mute.
Finally cajoled into a comfortable balance of trick-or-treating with consideration.
We returned home, filled up our bowl of candy that had been sitting on the front steps, shut our front door, and settled in to watch the children trade candy bars like poker chips.
All Kit Kats are passed to Buster. Hersheys Kisses and Bars funnel to Monkey. Yessa is willing to try any piece of candy, but doesn’t tend to like too much outside the chocolate realm. Buds and I get tossed a couple pieces of castoff candy when we start to grumble or whine.
It works well for all of us.
