Trick or Treat

Another Halloween has come and passed. Despite being barely recovered from the worst bout of a stomach virus I personally have ever experienced, including when I was pregnant with Miriam, our family managed to have a fun-filled Halloween. Adriana was given a choice of several costumes, but she was adament that she wanted to be a BYU cheerleader for Halloween, but a cheerleader who does not carry pom-poms. Of course. Go BYU. Miriam was our cute little cow (calf?). Although she wasn't a fan of holding still to get makeup on her nose, or with keeping her hood on, she did love that the costume "moo'ed" when someone pressed on her tummy (or, she discovered, if she rolled or fell on her tummy, over and over and over and over again--fun times).

Holidays seem to get more fun the older our kids get, seeing Adriana especially so excited and actually recognizing and enjoying the various traditions, and Halloween was no exception. She's been talking about trick or treating, and playing trick or treating, and pretend dressing up for trick or treating, for months now. A new addition to the festivities this year was driving down to Springville and going trick or treating at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Kenny and I also liked that Adriana, uncoached or prompted by us, often asked at houses if she could take a piece of candy for her little sister, too. This was great because Miriam is still too little to eat candy (at least that's what I say...), so Kenny and I were able to divide up her candy, as well as subtly influence what candy she received ("Miriam really likes the Reece's peanut butter cups, and the Snickers, and, um, anything chocolate."). Not so with Adriana. The minute we were home Adriana had her candy dumped out and memorized. No snitching opportunities for Mom this year ("But where's my other brown candy bar? I need to find my green sucker."). Ah well.

(And yes, in case you couldn't tell, that's Kenny with part of his "Wal-mart ninja" costume on as we were getting ready to go trick or treating. He kept saying bad puns all day, like whipping out his ninja sword and saying things about "slashing prices." :)

Another Halloween tradition is, of course, carving the jack-o-lantern for a family night activity. Adriana and Miriam both weren't too sure about cleaning out the pumpkin. Adriana's favorite part was getting to draw what she wanted her pumpkin to look like, and then ordering, er, requesting from Daddy exactly what she wanted ("No, he needs a bigger nose. And a scary face, not a happy one."). The best part, of course, was lighting the pumpkin at the end.

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween. Oh, and merry Christmas. Just walk in to any store, and they'll assure you that now that Halloween is passed it is officially the Christmas season. Time to put up those Christmas lights and finish up your Christmas shopping. Oh, and fit Thanksgiving somewhere in there, too. At least I can't get teased now for playing Christmas music too early.... :)