Boo!
A few weeks ago I wrote of my apprehension about Halloween’s approach and wondered how I would manage to get through what was once a favoured holiday. And then it dawned on me that I would manage by inviting the kid’s mum to come and participate in the day with us. I’d known that there would come a time when we’d invite her over for dinner and it just seemed to me that this could be a solution for everyone – me because I wasn’t emotionally prepared to take the kid trick-or-treating and them because mum-and-daughter time is awesome!
After a lazy sleep in, the kid and I got up and started to get ready for our company. It was a bit hard to motivate the kid to clean her room, but once she realised that she couldn’t put on her costume until her chores were done, the cleaning went a lot faster. And as she cleaned, I started to get everything ready for a Halloween feast. Creepy-named foods and all!
When 3 o’clock came around, the kid anxiously waited outside for her mum and godfather, who’d volunteered to do the driving. She then gave them the grand tour of the house before we all sat down to visit before dinner.
Just as we finished eating, the first group of trick-or-treaters knocked on the door. This prompted the kid to put on her mask, grab her sword, and rush for the door to partake in the night’s begging activities – reminding her mum and godfather to remain in the car when she went up to houses. (This is a standard demand from my understanding – although I still can’t believe that it’s become the “norm” for kids to be driven around trick-or-treating!)
When the kid returned her bag was filled to the brim with candy – three and a half pounds’ worth! She even got a couple of full-sized candy treats, glow-in-the-dark stick thingies, and an awesome plastic cup. The kid’s evening ended with a yummy slice of Crazy Cake before our guests departed and I’m now relaxing on the couch where I’ll wait a bit longer for the last of the kids who are still out enjoying All Hallows’ Eve…
Sadly, I wasn’t able to muster the same enthusiasm I once had for the holiday, but I think I managed to fake it well enough so that others couldn’t tell. Heck, I even managed to squeeze in a Halloween corn maze and a fun pumpkin-making activity!
And on the whole, this year was easier than last year so I have hope that one day I will enjoy the holidays with as much excitement as I once did. Until then, I’ll keep faking it because it seems to work!
Oh, and if you wondered, on the menu was:
- Devilled eyeballs (Devilled eggs)
- Dragon scales and monster mucus (Chips and dip)
- Lizard brains (Cherry tomatoes)
- Bloody guts served over a bed of worms (Spaghetti with meat sauce)
- Witches’ fingers (Cooked carrot sticks)
- Wilted brains (Salad)
- Dragon blood (Cranberry juice)
- Graveyard dirt (Crazy cake)
It was yummy! Don’t you wish you could have joined us?
I’m glad it went well for you all.
We’ve divided the loot (peanut-free stuff going into the “for school snacks” bin, smarties put aside for christmas cake decorating, etc) and managed a peaceful bedtime for our roman soldier.
Yes – I noticed a few drive-arounds this evening, and also the teens were out way earlier than last year (i hope they appreciated the playdough and disney character card games at our door).
Sounds like it went well. I avoided getting any trick or treaters (guisers) at all – so now I have tons of candy to eat all by myself.
Actually, to avoid the sugar rush I think I’ll take it in to work and share it round. I could certainly have done with it today when the kitchen ran out of fillings for the baked potatoes only 45 mins into service!
And I know what you mean about the holidays. It’s hard to enjoy them when you’ve no-one special to share them with. Friends are great, but it’s not quite the same when you’ve become used to having something more – and dreamed about even more.
Good for you for faking it.
xx
I don’t think it’s the norm to be driven around for trick or treating, but it may depend on where you live. We have a great neighborhood so everything is accessible on foot.
We had a trunk or treat at church on Saturday so my kids got a ton of candy from that. Which is all gone. Yes, we are piggies when it comes to Halloween candy. I’d rather they eat it all at once instead of dragging it out. But that way they don’t notice if I’m eating it too:)