Halloween, and dressing up in general, has always been a big part of our lives so we began our evening with what has become a family tradition: the 'in front of the house' photo. The holiday, however, really began days before when Celie consulted with the Queen of Costumes, Aunt Colleen, and Fionn started wearing his costume for no reason at all (despite questions of his identity: was he an angry owl? Or a red dragon?)
The party when we joined friends up the street at Lisa's house, another tradition we've all grown to look forward to. Everyone gathers for chili, corndogs and cheetos (among other usually-forbidden foods) while the kids get into character.
Heading out into the neighborhood across the crunchy leaves, we simply follow behind as the kids race, increasingly faster with each passing year. At 5 and 3, it's seems we've finally hit the age where it's a mad dash: no more worry about losing Mom and Dad, there's total awareness that SUGAR awaits behind every door!
While I was quite proud of my "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" costume, I think Mike took the cake for scariest Halloween get-up: a pumpkin head he kept having the room for making little kids cry. The fact that he insisted on walking down the middle of the street only heightened his total freak quotient.
Though surprisingly, only half way through the night, both Celie and Fionn called an end to trick-or-treats. With bags full of candy, they declared it time to feast and prepare for the Halloween Fairy who would visit while they slept: a friendly little sprite who trades gifts for the sweets she donates to those far from home.
p.s. If you'd like to donate any of your Halloween candy to a good cause, please visit the following link--it'll feel as good as any candy might taste!
Halloween Candy Buyback, in support of US Troops: http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/
