Remembering Last Halloween

Last year at this time a small battle ensued in our household. My then 11 year old son was starting to feel that he was too old to go Trick or Treating. Say what?! Uhhmmm - no. Mom wants to go therefore you will go! (I swear I'd make him ToT 'til he turned 40 if I really had any say.)

He wasn't opposed to getting in costume, he was just feeling older than his years, but when he realized other friends were going he changed his tune. Nevertheless I knew this was likely it. My last year chasing behind a group of rowdy boys decked out in their frightful finery. I'd been trick or treating for over 18 years with my kids but this was it. The final chapter. ::sigh::

I savored every second of last year's Halloween night. I took my time traveling up and down Highland Street, trailing far behind my charges. Located in the historic district, most every house for 3-4 blocks participates by decorating and handing out treats. Hundreds of kids ran up and down sidewalks, leaves crunching under their feet. The sounds of children's laughter amidst squeals of delight while adults, some even in costume, weaved around the throngs of little ones.... It's a thing of beauty.

Once Gabe (the son in question) got onboard with trick or treating he went about designing his garb. He decided on an evil clown. He went through all of my catalogs but could find nothing satisfactory. So he moved on to my BFF Google and began printing out ideas. Then one day he came to me and presented his design. It was a combination of three different costumes - none of them store-bought. (I brought him up right!)

Now it was my turn to make it come together. This was the recipe:

Foam clown mask

Spirit gum

Colored contacts

Mini top hat

Jeans (ha! that was easy)

Goth boots

And one very important thing....

He was adamant about having a vintage band jacket. This meant I'd better score one in his size on Ebay (unlikely) or bust out the sewing machine (even more unlikely). We got lucky and found the perfect one on Ebay. I had to fight for it but we prevailed. (Bidders on Ebay really shouldn't mess with Halloween fanatics.)

So, here's Gabe on last Halloween. At least we went out with a bang!

P.S. I'm in charge of Trunk Or Treat so I'm not giving up hope. I still plan to wrestle him into costume this year - even if he won't go trick or treating.

Haunt on!

Treats That Trick

Trick or treat
Smell my feet
Give me something good to eat

I miss trick or treating. I so loved dressing up and going door to door. Leaves rustling under my feet as I wrestled with a costume that was often ill fitting. Navigating porch steps as I struggled to keep from tripping on over-sized shoes or dragging hemlines. Peering through masks with eye holes that never stayed in the sight line.

I carried my orange jack o'lantern pail carefully so as not to accidentally drop a single treasure. The treats were the spoils of victory - the evidence of a successful night of begging.

When we got home my two sisters and I would survey the goods and trade treats, after my parents each helped themselves to a piece or two of course.

Cracker Jacks were a fave. Two treats in one box - first the popcorn and peanuts and then a small toy. Nirvana!

I would say that overall the treats in my bucket were wanted and appreciated, but there were a few things I could have lived without:

Popcorn balls

I don't care how tasty the recipe presents itself - popcorn balls are awful (and never taste like Cracker Jacks). I like my popcorn with butter and salt... and not in ball form.

Raisins

Oh I like raisins just fine but they should be banned from Halloween treat pails. Seriously if you want to give me fruit just throw in a caramel apple for heaven's sake.

Rolls of Pennies

Nothing says "I forgot/don't care/drat it's those stupid kids" more than pennies. Plus they made the buckets heavier.

I guess I shouldn't complain too much. At least I never received a religious brochure or a toothbrush like my own kids have.

As All Hallow's Eve came to a close, I feel into bed dreaming of the next Halloween. Planning my costume and looking forward to next year's frightful fun and trick or treating.

Oh how I miss being a kid on Halloween.

Haunt on!