Traditions

I was happy to say goodbye to Disney princess attire this year. The eight year old had a hard time choosing between Hermione Granger (from the Harry Potter books) and Rey (from the newest Star Wars movie); both tough and smart girls a little more in alignment with my idea of a good role model than her previous two years' costumes (Elsa and... Elsa). The discovery of a costume set at Target that was just her size settled the deal: Rey just needed a hair stylist and she was ready to conquer the world.  The ten year old couldn't decide on a specific character, but fell in love with a $3 plain white mask, and therefore became Creepy Mask Guy.

I decided to get in on the fun this year with a super itchy rainbow wig. I don't think I was cut out for wig wearing, and the kids thought I was especially scary with the wig cap on because it made me look bald. So much for the dream of shaving my head so I don't have to deal with styling my hair every day.

You may or may not know that we do things a little differently around here when it comes to Halloween. With no neighbors close by and a general aversion to escorting our kids around so that they can ask for candy from strangers, my Sis-in-Law and I concocted a humdinger of a plan a few years ago that has made our kiddos very happy to be missing out on trick-or-treating.

There are still costumes and candy. And that is where the similarities stop. Our Fourth Annual Halloween Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt and Pinata Party also became a chili cook-off this year, and we added some more family members to our evening, making the fun bigger and better.

Creepy Mask Guy and Rey were happy to find two Kitties, a Greek Goddess, and a cousin who has outgrown costumes when we arrived. The weather was rainy, so all festivities took place under cover of the porch roof or indoors, but the Mamas once again won the day by creating an event to be bragged about, and the kids are already counting down until next year.