Halloween

I'm sorry to offend, but Halloween is my LEAST favorite holiday. I have never really been a big fan. Of course, my parents "made" me stop trick-or-treating pretty young, because they hated being interrupted so many times to answer the door, and spending money on candy for strangers. It is a strange holiday. (I grew up in a split-entry home, and now that I have owned a split-entry, I really understand their dislike!) When I was in elementary school (5th grade maybe?) we started a new tradition, when we'd all go see a movie at the mall for $1 per person, then go to the store and my parents would buy us each a small bag of our favorite candy. That way, we weren't getting "gipped" of the candy, and we didn't have to be interrupted. Not to mention, no money wasted on costumes we only wear once :)

So, I find it funny that my first post on this new blog is about Halloween. I have learned to enjoy the holiday for the sake of my kids. It is SO cute dressing them up, and seeing the excitement on their faces when they get candy just because they are cute and say something silly. I still think it's a weird holiday, but I do have fun with it (not compared to some people, I know!)

About a week before Halloween, my brother's wife invited us to their place for a famiy home evening activity of going to the pumpkin patch, getting pumpkins, then decorating them at their house after dinner. It was a lot of fun, I've never done that before and I have to say, I think we'll do it from now on! The kids loved it, and I enjoyed watching them wander the patch to find their pumpkins.

Then, a few days later we painted our own gourds (Karleah got them from a friend... and she got a lot!) I asked Cameo to come over, but forgot to mention we'd be painting. Luckily my kids didn't ruin her clothes :)

For Halloween, I definitely had some cute trick-or-treaters! Karleah wanted to be a purple crayon, Nathanael chose a Scooby-Doo costume, Carson was thrilled to find a Diego costume, Vanessa was determined to be a princess, no matter what else I tried to suggest, and Faith was forced into a costume I was given that was a "Hunny" pot (from Winnie the Pooh). At first she refused, then we couldn't get it off her, she LOVED the attention and the bees on her hat.

We started with a Halloween carnival in my sister's ward in Tooele. So fun, the kids got to ride horses, "go fishing" for treats, there was hot chocolate and games. Mostly I think they enjoyed the trunk-or-treat and time with their cousins.
The next morning, my awesome parents got the kids in their costumes and to my work by 7:30am. I LOVE showing off my kids so it was great to have them there, our safety committe wanted kids in costume to remind drivers (and other staff) to be safe so my kids (along with some other UPSer's kids) were handing out bags with a few reminders and treats. There were lots of pictures taken, but I haven't seen them yet. I just know that my kids are cute!!

Once the kids were home from school, we went trick-or-treating at Cameo's work (we do this almost every year). I had a chiropractor appointment so the kids had fun in the office showing off their costumes and having snacks. We hurried home for dinner, and Candace joined us for trick-or treating around the neighborhood.

It was a pretty good day, extremely busy but lots of fun. I am so thankful for my kids!