Kick o Kweet?

That = Trick or Treat in Laynee speak.

We had a great Halloween. I really do love this holiday. Even if its background is a little weird. I love that it signifies the beginning of the Big Holiday Season. I love dressing up, I love candy, I love all the colors on the trees, I love being reminded that it's OK to be a little silly sometimes.

We had lots to do 'round here. Thursday was attending the elementary school's class parties and the school parade.

Off topic: I remember when I was in 3rd grade (the same age as my oldest daughter) I dressed up as a Cabbage Patch Kid, complete with plastic mask and a plastic costume that resembled a painted garbage bag. It was my first ever store bought costume and I loved it. When we made the parade rounds through the classrooms, my friend who was in 5th grade saw me, and began waving her arm wildly in the air and calling my name. I did not wave back. I pretended I didn't see her when I totally did. I just wanted to remain anonymous and incognito. It apparently didn't work how I thought, because obviously she recognized me. Later, I used the lame excuse that I didn't want to get in trouble from the teacher for breaking form. She totally bought it.

Back to the subject at hand: Since Hunter is now in middle school (MIDDLE SCHOOL?) and they don't do the dress up thing anymore, we had only one classroom party to attend. Miss Corrine loved having us to herself and it was so fun to see all the littles dressed up.

Friday was the school's carnival and our church's trunk or treat. Laynee and I went as mommy and baby Lady Bugs, Corrine was a witch, and Hunter was some creepy zombie hooded thing with glowing red eyes.

I tried to get Michael to dress up with me, but he declined. Sad, because he would have been a great Daddy Warbucks to my Miss Hannigan and Laynee's Annie. Or a Laynee Mary Poppins with him and I as Jane and Michael Banks. He said he drew the line at wearing knickers and knee socks. It's tragic, really, because he has great legs.

I took the kids around and Miguel stayed here to pass out candy. I loved watching Laynee Bug's face light up everytime someone dropped a piece of candy into her bag. The awesomeness of someone giving her candy simply for saying three little words never wore off. She was in constant awe all night. We trick or treated down the main drag here in our little town, and among the candy that was passed out from the local small town businesses, we got hot apple cider, popcorn, and hot dogs to tide us over. All for free. Awesome.

Our little city hall puts on a haunted house every year and this year was no different. I was somewhat nervous to take The Bug through, but I held her and she plugged her ears through the scary parts. The building is in the old original school house which is now the city hall/library/mayor's office. It's really cool, and makes the ideal haunted house. There were two rooms; one where the scary stuff was and one where they had games for the little spooks to congregate. Rice crispy treats and cookies and punch made for some nice refreshments. When we finally decided it was time to depart and were walking down the stairs to gather the stroller, Laynee says to me in her sweet little toddler voice, "Scary. Mom. Weedy, weedy, fun. Mom." (Which translated means "really really fun".)

*sigh* Until next year, my sweet Halloween.