This year I was not really feeling into Halloween. Probably several things contributed to that feeling. I loved Halloween growing up & didn’t want to spoil my kids fun so mostly kept my thought to myself. I’ve never been into dark, gory or gross stuff. I just couldn’t help but have moments thinking...Is there really a point to these traditions we follow? Are we just wasting a bunch of pumpkins every year? Our elementary school vetoed kids wearing costumes to school a couple of years ago because apparently quite a few people in our area are morally opposed to Halloween. Plus it’s been a very cold fall, the last thing we need is gobs of candy, and I couldn't help thinking is spending time and money on costumes really the best use for our resources...? I have so little time these days, and though I love to make costumes for the girls - it takes a lot of time and can become stressful. This year Mike talked the girls into just buying costumes, and though in many ways that's easier - it's also not quite as fun in others. It probably cost more to buy them than we usually spend making them with fabric saved from generous grandmothers - and certainly doesn't let us use our creativity as much. But, I'm glad we bought instead of made them this year - it was definitely a load off! At least pumpkin carving always allows a lot of room for creativity —it’s possibly possibly my favorite thing about Halloween.
Well, we ended up letting the girls throw a little Halloween party for a few friends to give them another chance to wear their costumes (without coats) and a safe place to party...I was also kind of thinking in the back of my head — if it was too cold to go trick or treating this year at least they'd have had that... Mike and the girls did most of the party planning, and the party ended up being a lot of fun. Halloween themed minute to win it games, a nailed-it like cookie decorating contest, and plenty of dance party time complete with party lights and a last minute addition of fog machine contributed from a friend! They have such a sweet bunch of friends and it was so fun to give them a chance to get together and see them be silly in ways I remember being with my friends when I was their age.
The week of Halloween did not start well. The weather was getting colder and colder. Sierra had a hard time getting to school early in the week, was tired and grouchy. Lily tried to get us to let her stay home from school one day too. I was contemplating cancelling Trick or Treating. The girls attitudes got better. On the day of Halloween Sierra accidentally knocked water off Lily’s dresser all over the Hello Kitty Halloween T-shirt and jeans she was planning to wear to school, so we dug out the Halloweeny witch skirt and vest I made Lily a couple years ago for her to wear instead. It wasn't her costume, just Halloween clothes. Take that no costume rule! I got off work a little early and talked about doing the mall trick or treat instead of going house to house this year because it was so cold, but Mike insisted it just wasn’t the same, and I knew he was right. I followed along in the car just in case they got too cold to go on, but the girls toughed it out and made the entire regular route, went back to Grandma’s house and watched the Great Pumpkin, and made it home before 9:00. They had a great night of wholesome fun, didn’t over-do the candy consumption and made it to school on time, and in better spirits the day after Halloween than on any other day that week!
I started out the month not really into Halloween, but ended it feeling the opposite. Halloween may have had questionable origins, yeah we are cautious of people who might try to cause harm... But it’s pretty cool that one night a year you can take your children out in the dark in your community, and safely roam the streets to the light of flickering jack-o-lanterns, enjoy the skill & creativity of each family’s decorations, and teach your kids that more often than not there is kindness to be found behind the doors of strangers...that a few magic words can get you a treat, and that we don’t need to let fear keep us from connecting with others, enjoying life and seeking some light-hearted fun!
Pumpkin Carving
Girls' Halloween Party
Halloween Day & Night
