Happy Halloween!

A Friday night Halloween works well, don't you think?

When my two brothers and I were growing up, apparently Halloween was not my mother's favorite holiday, although I was shocked when I learned this in my early twenties. When I think back, this explains the trusty paper bag costumes that Mom pulled out of the closet for my brother and me (I don't think the bags lasted to my younger brother) and dutifully taped up each year after a night of Halloweening.

[In my family, somehow Halloween became a verb--you go Halloweening and the people at your door are Halloweeners. How did this happen?]

I remember having the choice of an orange lion with a yellow mane or a green alligator. They were clever paper bags that would cover a child from head to knees with a hole for your face and holes for your arms. And large enough to wear a warm coat underneath. But no kick pleat, therefore the obligatory taping.

Fast forward to now--three kids age 8, 3 and 7 months. Dinnertime, darkness, excitement. Funny clothes, cold weather and flashlights.

Decorating involving scooping the guts and seeds from a large vegetable and cutting with sharp knives. I am beginning to know where my mother was coming from.

This is a tricky holiday with kids.

This holiday is a treat for kids.

You get to cut up a humongous vegetable and your mother doesn't even want you to eat it!

You get to collect and eat LOTS of candy that is normally not allowed:

You get to wear outfits are out of the ordinary and you might even get to draw on your face. What's not to love?

We hope all you Halloweeners had an excellent time Halloweening!