Trick or Treat

Oh, the dilemma of having multiple age kiddos during Halloween! Here's the scenario....take one very self-focused 12-year-old (aren't we all at that age?!) who wants to hang out with her friends and trick-or-treat door to door. The next in line and highly opinionated middle child is excited about the concept, but in reality probably won't participate in anything. The third and final precious pumpkin doesn't really even know what's going on and would rather stay home and lay on her snuggle blankie. So what are we to do? How do we make all the kids happy? Why do we have to do anything? After all, I've got a ton of laundry to do, and I'm certain the kids will want to help me fold clothes. They looooooove to spend time with me like that...folding clothes, doing dishes, making beds....did you know that my children are perfect, too? They are.

What we finally decided to do was to drag all three children to our church's fall festival for the first half of the night. Kellie-Laine brought two friends and I let them run a muck at the church...independent of us. Landrie was the typical observer and refused to play any of the games, but did become quite skilled at cutting to the front of the line to simply ask for candy. Emerie was her usual self...pitter pattering around, pointing at things, and smiling for any male who looked her direction. Thirty minutes later....the kids were ready to go home.

This was probably the most low-keyed Halloween ever! KL put her costume together using a pair of ladybug wings, and Landrie chose a princess dress from her dress-up closet (but absolutely refused to have her hair done or make-up applied). Emerie wore a ballerina skirt I had ordered some time ago. It was a pretty unremarkable night, and I liked it that way.

There was a rather annoying thing that occurred that night. Cody and I thought the universal sign for "Do not knock on our door for candy, you greedy little goblins" was to have your porch lights turned OFF. Apparently, this is not the case here in Waco. We flipped off the lights around 8:45 thinking we wouldn't be bothered any more, but we were oh so wrong. Not only did little devils continue to knock on our darkened door, their PARENTS actually escorted them up the darkened driveway since they couldn't see in the dark conditions. I kid you not. Not only that, but they were loud, and some didn't even put forth the energy to wear a costume.

Can I get an "Amen" here? I know I sound like a Halloween grump, but come on people. At least put on a football jersey...a simple wig will do...a sheet over your head...glasses? It's easy and it shows respect. Next year, I plan on driving all over the city of Waco carrying a large trash bag and stocking up on candy for next year....no costume. I don't need one. I'm going as a mom....a weary one, at that.