HOWEVER...being that we are in a safe neighborhood where we know a lot of the people around here, I told the kids they could try it out this year. I figured it was a childhood tradition they could get under their belts. I limited it to only those houses where we know who lives there.
We had a little neighborhood get together at the beginning of the evening where they passed out safety bracelets for the kids. Then we went to our designated houses with our friends Dorothy and Delaney.
I have to say, this was the most fun I've had trick or treating ever. The kids were so thrilled with the whole experience. They would run from house to house with their bags, and after every house Erik would say, "Mom! I got brown M&M's! Mom! I got a snickers!".
One of our neighbors set up a tent in front of their house with some games. I got to meet some new people, and see neighbors that I don't see that often. I realized that these kind of things are about community. The kids know so many people from being at the park.
It was so awesome. Then afterwards, we came home and watched Monsters Inc and the kids answered the door.
I had wanted to be different and bought spider rings instead of candy. This little boy came up to our door and looked at Erik with his rings and said, "you don't have any candy to give out?" Erik says, "no, you can pick a ring". The kid turns around and yells into the street, "This house doesn't have any candy!". I guess it wasn't so popular.
I thought the kids costumes adequately fit their personalities.
We have a save the day (control the world) superman:
And our delicate-I'm shy and beautiful-butterfly:
That's Delaney hidden by the fabric hanging down.
Anyway, for the first time in my life, Halloween was a big success and didn't end in tears....
at least not my tears. Taryn came in our room at about 10:30 because she couldn't sleep and was crying. She says, "I don't even know why I'm crying". That's Halloween.
12 comments:
Yay for trick o treating. The thing is, I have mixed feelings about it, too. It's a scary world and you never know what's going to happen, and blah, blah blah. Stuff that you really never think about until you have kids. And I think as adults, we make up rules for our kids most certainly for their own safety, but sometimes, end up limiting them in ways that they just won't understand until they've experienced it. Anyway, I like Halloween. I always have. But that doesn't mean I don't worry about where to go, who we'll see, or what they get while trick or treating. And obsess about it until all is said and done. I'm glad Erik and Taryn had so much fun, and their costumes were great. And also the tears, thing? That IS totally Halloween. The coming down part is just another aspect of the experience.
Do you think you'll let them do it again?
Also, I totally laughed aloud about the spider-rings part, and the kid's reaction. Last night we had a couple instances like that with Cole...only he was bratty kid that snubbed what the people were offering.
The tears must be a Halloween thing. My break down wasn't on Halloween but I couldn't sleep all week and I just kept crying about it. It's not fun. But daylight savings is here to save me!!! And I'm so glad you took them. I have such good memories of Halloween. I love the holiday. And the fact that they never had gone probably made it that much neater for them!
We also gave out candy alternatives, (play dough). The very first kid that came to our door, she was a 9 or 10 year old girl, WAS NOT ok with it. She took one, threw it in her bag and STORMED off. I was sooo sad, so was Kory, because he was certain the kids would be THRILLED to get play dough. We then went to a neighborhood trunk or treat, and when the kids found out I was giving away play dough they skipped over people to get some, and it was all gone in ten minutes. So it made up for it. And I got a lot of praise from moms for giving it out instead of candy, so it ended up being worth it.
I'll probably be trick or treating with Andy until he's 30. He loves traditions and doesn't want to miss out on a single thing. He used to say "Cook a treat!" for the longest time thinking that's what everyone was saying.
sorry the rings didn't blow over so well. :0) No one came to our house. we still have ALL of our candy...
Cute pics- like the costumes. I agree that they somewhat reflect T & E's personalities. Although, it may have been a tad more humorous to see Erik in a Micheal Jackson get-up? Like a completed MJ, who has fulfilled himself and turned all the way white, with a super small nose. I think Erik could pull it off. Next year?
I was hoping our halloween would be like that. See our neighbors and hang out with the neighborhood kids. Nope. I was on the phone for work during all of trunk or treating and people came to our door and left in seconds. But then Jeff and Rainey came over and the party started!
I'm glad you had such a fun Halloween and that the kids enjoyed trick or treating. Heidi loved it! It is really weird that we spend all year telling kids not to talk to strangers and to never take candy from them and then all of a sudden on Halloween we let them do both. I think it's pretty safe though, especially if you stick with people you know. Your kids look so cute! I love the butterfly wings!
I couldn't get through Three Cups of Tea, I'll be very interested to see what you think of it.
Hey, how's it going? It's been a while and your kids are so big. Glad to see all is going well with your family.
Take care, Candi
hey Keri! I'm glad you guys had so much fun! Hope all is well!
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