Trick or Treat

     Ah, Halloween! On a Sunday no less. When I was a kid Halloween's on the weekends were the best. We'd be out all day. Though we did wait until after lunch to start, which is what I'll do with my kids today. Even though Jake has been asking to go or when he can give out, candy since 7am. My big boys are hanging around the house and plan to help the little ones eat the goodies they bring back home. And maybe scare some kids at the door with masks they have.
    Sixteen is tough for anyone, boy or girl. I had a group of friends who dressed up, sort of, and still went trick or treating even as seniors in high school. I read on Yahoo recently that there are some towns in some states where it is against the law to trick or treat past the age of 13. If you aren't willing to dress up to trick or treat you shouldn't go. But 13 is too young. Everyone complains kids are growing up too fast, well when you take away things that keep them being kids of course they are. I know one of my sons thought about dressing along with Emily and Jake and coming out with us but decided not to. My husband will be dressing up with them, though he won't be coming to your door with a bag. He knows better.
    There are still adults that do not know better, though. Or maybe they do and want to see what they can get away with. I will never forget the Halloween while still living at my dad's house where at the door were a few kids and their mom, none dressed up. All, including the mom, were holding bags for me to put candy in! I felt weird refusing to give her a piece of candy but also felt put upon. Like "Come on! You should know better why should I have to tell you that!" Anyway she got her candy from me because I just didn 't know what to do at the time, but I've complained about it ever since. I think if it happened now, as I'm older and more outspoken than before, I'd have said something to her. Embarrass her in front of her kids. Maybe she needed that. Maybe someone else gave it to her all those Halloweens ago. I can only hope.
     I'd have dressed up with Rob and the kids had it not been a last minute decision for him to. I like dressing up. It was always so much fun. I've said we should have a Halloween party, it just never works out. He was able to find a costume that went along with the kids 2 days ago. I was not. So now I look like I'm the party pooper who won't dress up. When had it been planned I could have gotten something. Oh well, maybe next year. I also think $50 for a costume is a bit much for one outfit for one day. Although if we needed to dress up for a wedding or something that's one day too and $50 wouldn't seem so bad. Maybe the re-use value would be more but you never know. Same with the Halloween costume I guess.
     Maybe you'll see us all out and about next year as Star Wars characters. Something my husband has wanted to do forever. Only the kiddies will have their bags of course. Because as in my favorite Garfield special "Halloween is where dogs help cats get lots of candy." When in reality we all know it's the kids that help their parents get lots of candy! Now don't go making yourself sick on it! Happy Halloween!