We made gift bags filled with candy and small toys and placed wizard hats at the table for the kids to wear while having a "green" fettuccine alfredo dinner...
Several months prior, Ava decided she wanted to be Cinderella this year - and Noah wanted to be a pumpkin. Ava concurred only because she said Noah could be her "pumpkin carriage." Now that the day had finally arrived, Ava reminded him that he was "Cinderella's carriage" - and in return, Noah, while swinging his pumpkin over her head, reminded her that he was "just a pumpkin!"
Ah... siblings... I love that Noah was persistent in defining what he wanted to be for Halloween. Especially after we watched a cartoon episode the other day where the character informed us that "pumpkins are for babies" and a space man was cooler. I thought we were going to have to exchange his costume, but Noah never wavered. He wanted to be a pumpkin for Halloween - and he did it proudly!
And off they went to trick or treat... the kids this year weren't shy to ring the doorbell (a few times too many) or speak up if someone missed treating 2-yr old Sophia's bag... who made sure her cowgirl hat was on before she got to the doorsteps.
The grownups followed behind, where in this brief dusk hour, we took in the sights of a costume masquerade and jubilee parents crisscrossing the street...
After just a block, Noah's pumpkin got too heavy, and he asked, "Mom, use your strong muscles to carry it..." and Ava's glittery silver shoes gave her a blister. We headed home and the kids were treated to cupcakes of their own decorating and then ice cream...
Halloween with preschoolers is such a fun, playful, and happy occasion... where the "spooky" is in just saying, "Boo!" and then chasing them around like in a game of tag - It's unfortunate how little ones had to see "bigger kids" wearing ski masks and carrying axes... or oozing blood drawn on their faces (as young as 5!) trick or treating at the same houses as they were. Before heading home, one house in particular decorated his lawn with a scene of a body that had been stabbed by hedge clippers. Yes, there was blood on the weapon - and Ava took notice immediately... and asked, "what happened? why is that there?" {sighing...} - which to me, is not a "fun" way to celebrate the evening when our kids have to ask these questions, nor their childhood imaginations that take off long after this night is over.
While the day was such a treat for us all - I wondered just like Ava, "what is that... and why?" and of course from a parental perspective, "is it really necessary people?"
I imagine somewhere along the years of their youth, the thrill of Halloween fun may become gruesome {sighing again...} but for us - it won't be a day too soon. Where I hope to make this a joyful tradition that is celebrated by all things that are... well, just simply sweet...
I think the kids have been anticipating this day just as much (if not more) as any other day in the history of their lives. All of the kids had a blast and I think despite the fact that we really only hit 1 block - i think we'll have enough candy for weeks to come.
ReplyDeleteI know eventually a day will come when the kids will want to go out on their own. Or maybe skip trick-or-treating all together...
...but I will always picture Ava as a little princess and Noah as my baby Pumpkin.
Great pictures. It's true, is it really necessary? No- but this comes with age, and the society that we live in. The norms of this holiday to be of scareful tactics and a trick for a treat. All in all, I think the kids do a great job of celebrating and hopefully it can stay like this for just a few more years!
ReplyDeleteThanks sis! Ahh... you've hit it on the nail, "the society we live in" - and THAT my dear, is what's scary most of all. The kids do embrace the best of the holidays, and it is through them, that I feel like I'm learning all over again how it should be.
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So glad everybody had a Happy Halloween! You know, I've always felt a little weird admitting that Halloween is my favorite holiday because it's typically associated with spooks, gore and tricks. I have to admit, as an adult, I get a thrill out of watching a scary movie or visiting a haunted house. But my love of Halloween started when I was Noah's age, just the pure fun of dressing up, venturing out to collect candy and spending an evening with your family and friends. I think that "innocent" aspect of Halloween is something they'll hang onto for a long time!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I do hope so Corbin! Halloween is my favorite too - and if that day comes when Noah wants to add blood to his costume, or Ava wants to put on something racy because "the other girls are wearing it" - I think I'll faint right there on the spot. Here's to hoping we have another 8 good years of "innocent" trick or treating, dress-up and Halloween fun as it should be... {sighing}...
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