Luke and Jules, under the influence. I can say with confidence that our kids did not have a single piece of their Halloween candy last night ~ they didn't need to. Now tall enough to reach the cookies/brownies/caramel popcorn/candy corn so lavishly displayed at Becca and Rich's, they went crazy on great homemade sweets. This was the fall out. Our kids have sugar occasionally, but it isn't a big part of their diet. It was actually hilarious to watch it affect them ~ when we got home well past bed time and stripped off costumes, 10 minutes of frantic feverish running in circles laughing hysterically ensued. Watching them made me laugh as hard as they were. Post frantic dance party, they went straight off to bed, happy and exhausted.
My Mom, dressed for Halloween as my sister. Fantastic costume, Mom, you get major props for creativity.
Nate and our little animals, walking down the cozy streets of West Chester on a warm and slightly wet evening. It was perfect trick or treat weather.
Pop Pop, dressed as Uncle Rich, holding 60+ lbs of children.
Bec and Rich getting their Juno on = The Awesome.
Our fearless little critters caught on quickly ~ approach door. Door opens. Say "Trick or treat!" with a smile, watch candy be deposited in your pumpkin. Great system.
The Mangan Family on Halloween '09. A Monkey, an Elephant, a pirate, and a tired pregnant lady with a little pumpkin growing furiously under her shirt.
I don't generally like Halloween. I admit it. I'm scroogy like that. It usually just feels like a lot of pressure for very little return. Last night changed my mind.
It was so much fun to see the kids get so excited to put on their costumes, to watch them walk hand in hand down the streets with their little tails hanging behind them, and too see them grasp the completely weird concept that is trick or treating. It was so funny thinking about it from a kids perspective ~ Like, are they wondering today why the heck they don't get to do that every night? Why life is as actually as easy as asking strangers for candy and having them ply you with it ~ and no one ever told the kids prior to last night? What a DEAL! It was so much fun to prowl the streets of our old neighborhood as a family of four and catch up with all of our old friends. Our old street always goes all out with decorating and there were plenty of creepy things/fog machines/creepy lights and sounds to entertain the kids as we talked with our friends. It made me miss the old neighborhood a lot. We then walked down to Becca and Rich's beautiful home for their very first party as husband and wife. They went all out with fantastic decorations, awesome food, and creative original costumes. It was so nice to get to see all of our family (on my side, anyway) on Halloween this year. We came home happy and grateful, tucked our critters into their beds, and got comfortable to watch the Phillies/Yankees game.
Kids ~ If you read this someday, know that your Mom is working hard to lobby for you against the forces of darkness (aka Yankee fans). You live in PA, you will therefore be Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers fans along with your Mother. I am passionate about sports, and until you have the wisdom to choose Philly teams, I am your advocate. I know you will thank me someday. You wear your Eagles green, your Phillies red with pride. Jets are cool as a back up team (like your JV choice ;)) as they are AFC, but the Yankees thing just does not work around here. If you grow up to root for them, I may feel as though I failed you as a Mother, but I will graciously allow you the personal freedom to make that choice. Until that point of sports autonomy, you will remain in your green and red.
It's NOVEMBER! I hope that everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! Bring on the Turkey and trimmings.
