Trick or Treat!

Brains!

Vintage Strawberry Shortcake - mine from 1981

I love Halloween. I really really loved this Halloween. It started out questionable, when I had to get up early to make pancakes for the kids for breakfast because we were pretty much out of anything else that could pass as breakfast food. And I was soooo tired because I stayed up way too late last night. Plus I knew I was going to have to run errands with Mathilda in tow (which I don't really mind, but going solo is so much more simple and streamlined) before the kids got out of school, and I didn't have much time because it was a half day. Then...Chris's plans for the day were canceled at the last minute, and I didn't have to drag Mathilda around with me after all. Suddenly my day was a whole lot brighter.


The kids had a half day, so all three of them got out of school at the same time. Bethany's friends came home with us, and we swung over to the middle school to pick up her sister and bring her home with us too. They stayed all afternoon, and it was just easy and fun. I made them lunch and they watched Punky Brewster and played outside and had a good time. 

Punky Brewster and Chewbacca in peril

Shortly after our first wave of guests left, the second wave arrived - my mom and Chris's mom and step-dad. I made sloppy joe's and French fries for dinner, and German apple cake and brains for dessert. A couple months ago I ordered this brain shaped Jello mold online for like $2.99. When I was making the Jello today, I was pretty certain it wasn't going to come out because I did everything wrong (bought the wrong size boxes of Jello and used the wrong amount of water), but actually it came out pretty cool. I put gummy worms in it for a little extra creepiness factor. The kids got a kick out of it. I will now make brain Jello every Halloween, just as I buy Lucky Charms every St. Patrick's Day (and that's the only time I ever buy it).

Shaggy and Scooby

When everyone was done eating, the kids finished getting ready for trick or treating and Chris and I took them out while our parents stayed home and passed out candy (and tried to keep my anxiety riddled dog calm). 

Taking a ride in the Mystery Machine

I love that daylight savings has been changed until after Halloween, so it was still a little bit light when we started out. The weather was pleasant, just slightly chilly but with no wind. It was really pretty mild for October 31st in Michigan. Some years it's so cold the only thing you can think about is getting back in the house to warm up. But this year was lovely. Tons of kids were out in our neighborhood, and tons of houses were passing out candy. Leaves were covering the sidewalks and crunching underfoot. People were friendly. Good weather makes everyone happier. Mathilda was adorable, saying "trick or treat" to everyone, and then "thank you." Except for the times when she started screaming "I want some" instead of "trick or treat," but she's learning. She was singing at the top of her lungs as we walked. Nobody was crabby. They didn't want to walk very far, but with four kids, trick or treating is a bit of a slow process. By the time they were burned out and ready to head home, the crowds were dissipating and porch lights were being turned off.

Back at home, the kids each sampled their goods before getting ready for bed. It was a quiet night, not terribly exciting, but pretty darn near perfect nonetheless. Lucy remarked that she hoped this day and night would never end. Sometimes that kid just nails it. 


I hope you had a Happy Halloween too!