Trick or Treat

Last month I wrote about Dylan's decision to be a bumble bee for Halloween. I was really troubled with this choice because I was hoping I could coordinate the kids' costumes for at least a few years. I was stumped with the prospect of what to do with Isaac. Luckily, I had some great ideas offered in my comments for choices for Isaac. Thank you!

I worried and fretted over both costumes, and ended making them semi-homemade. It was a lot easier (and faster) than I expected them to be. I was so glad for that. And to top it all off, both the kids wore and liked there costumes. I was even more glad for that!

Last week started with Dylan getting to wear her costume to school. She was so excited, and looked so cute. All week long she walked around buzzing like a bee. Someone would ask her what she was going to be for Halloween and she'd respond, "I'm going to be a bee. They go bzzzz and scare people." It was so funny.

On Wednesday my sister had her annual Halloween party. We got dressed up and went over to Jenn's house and got to make some fun Halloween crafts and eat some great treats. It was the first time I had both the kids in their costumes at the same time and they sure did look cute. And Isaac even kept his hat on. I wasn't sure he would.

Wednesday night was our ward Trunk or Treat. We walked to the church and there were all the cars lined up ready to hand out candy. We couldn't even contain Dylan. She was off like a bullet. She'd start at the first car, say "Trick or Treat," get her piece of candy, say "Thank you," and run off to the next car. Rarely was she at a car long enough to respond to a comment or question about her costume. I can't even tell you how many times we had to tell her to slow down and wait for Isaac.

Isaac also "got it" too when it came to the Trunk or Treat. He'd mumble something that had the inflection of trick or treat, then say thank you and bye bye so clearly when he was given his candy. Todd was even impressed with how many comments we got on his costume. He was sure no one would recognize that he was a beekeeper. We got quite a few comments on their costumes and how cute it was to see a bee and a beekeeper. And since their costumes were somewhat homemade, that made me feel pretty good too. Maybe there's a little hope for me yet!

Friday came along and we had chili at my parents house with the cousins as usual, and had a great time. My poor mom! She mentioned how she worked all day long to make two different types of chili, all the fixings for a great salad, and even tried a new dessert (that didn't even come out right, so it wasn't eaten) and all of us were in and out of their house in less than an hour! Can you believe it? She worked all day long to see almost all of her grandkids in costume for less than an hour. I hope she knows how much we appreciate her hard work and this fun tradition!

We got back home and set up the chairs in the driveway to hand out candy. Todd took Dylan and Isaac out to a few houses with the neighbors while I sat and chatted and handed out candy. Our neighbors have a little girl Dylan's age, and a son that's about a year younger than Isaac. Every year since the girls were born we've sent the dads off with the kids to trick or treat while us moms stayed behind to hand out the goods and chit chat. It's a nice tradition.

Soon it was time for Isaac to go to bed, and for me to take Dylan to a few more homes. Once again, she had it down. She'd run up to the door (or person sitting in their driveway) and say trick or treat and take her candy while saying thank you as she ran to the next house. I loved that this year she wasn't afraid of any of the houses and I could just stand on the sidewalk as she went to get her candy. She's growing up so fast!

Once we finished visiting the houses on our street we came back and talked some more with our friends while Dylan and Alice handed out the rest of the candy to the kids. I really think Dylan enjoyed this more than the trick or treating. She'd stand at the end of the driveway and yell that more kids were coming whenever she saw them....and they were usually three or four houses away.

We had a great night and a great week. I even went shopping the day after Halloween and started picking up things for next year. I just hope I have some luck next year convincing Dylan that I know what she wants to be for Halloween!