We had a wonderful Halloween. I always love this time of year, when all the craft projects, and pumpkin patch trips, and costume shopping and pumpkin carving and preparation finally come to an end in a great Halloween night. Truly, Halloween often feels like a month-long holiday!
We carved pumpkins the night before Halloween, and the kids took a nice pink bubble bath afterwards. The kids were all interested in the “guts” of the pumpkins, but only Brenna and Joshua were truly interested in the designing and carving of them. They drew pictures of how they wanted their pumpkins to look, copied the faces onto the pumpkins themselves, and then helped Daddy carve them. It was so cute to see them so excited and involved.
The next morning I made Halloween pancakes. I added various Halloween sprinkles to each individual pancake and then the kids cut them into bats, cats, ghosts, and pumpkins using Halloween cookies cutters. I spent most of the day baking, cooking, cleaning, and preparing for our Halloween party. Brenna and Joshua were excellent helpers, pitching in with dishes and tidying, and helping with the treat bags and some of the baking.
Our Halloween party was “open house” style from 5-7pm. We had quite a few families come in and out during that time, but I must say we still had way too much food! We had our traditional Pumpkin Pot Chili. I bake chili (or some other soup or stew) inside a carved pumpkin shell ( of course, only the surface is carved so the chili won’t spill). It is so yummy and such a fun tradition! I got so many compliments on it this year.
I also made a huge batch of caramel popcorn, a “Reese’s pieces” cake with peanut butter frosting, cupcakes with pumpkin cream cheese frosting, chili cheese dip, spinach artichoke dip, sugar cookies for party guests to frost and decorate, and hot apple cider. I tried a new gluten-free cornbread recipe, but it didn’t turn out. I ended up serving store-bought non-GF rolls instead. Oh well. And I made my own little chocolate suckers and candies and they turned out very well. You win some and lose some, I guess.
After the party, around 7:30pm, we got ready for trick or treating. (I will put pictures in a separate post.) The kids were all excited to hit the sidewalks in search of candy. The night was warm, but a light rain fell the entire time we trick or treated. Thankfully, the rain didn’t dampen anyones spirits. The kids were happy and excited as we sloshed along the wet sidewalk. I rather liked the coolness of the rain, the pattering sound it made against the leaves and rooftops, and the way it look as it fell through the glow of the street lights and slashed against the road.
All the kids were so cute, marching along in their costumes. I especially loved watching Braden because he is at my favorite trick or treating age. I just love it when they are so tiny, but old enough to really understand what is happening. Braden was so cute as he held up his teeny, tiny pumpkin and said, “Trick or treat!”
One family had created a miniature haunted house in their garage. I was a little wary of taking my kids in, mostly because my girls tend to get scared easily. But Joshy wanted to go in and before I knew it, all the kids were following after him like sheep. The haunted house wasn’t too scary and everyone did fine. Near the end there was a man all dressed up in a scary costume. He was handing candy to those brave enough to go near him. My poor nephew Eli shrieked in terror and tried to run. The poor little guy was so scared! Braden, on the other hand, was totally calm and happy as he approached the scary man, said “trick or treat,” took a candy from his hand, and then said “thank you.” My brave boy!
We didn’t stay out for long. The rain ended up driving us home before much time had passed. I’m glad my children are all still young enough to be thrilled with a small bag of candy! I remember when I would come home from trick or treating with a pillow case full of treats, and I really don’t look forward to my kids doing the same!
At home the kids happily sorted through their candy, trading out the treats containing gluten for gluten-free substitutes. We had our traditional caramel apple bar with caramel apples and all the toppings a person could want. I set the kids’ costumes out to dry (this is the first time I’ve ever had to do this after Halloween) and got to work cleaning up the house while everyone watched a Halloween movie.
Around 9:30pm, a group of kids around 10 years old came trick or treating. I was so glad to dump the rest of my Halloween candy into their bags and they were thrilled as well!
We had family scripture study. I always cherish this time of day, snuggled together on the couch reading from the scriptures. It’s not always completely serene and peaceful, but the older kids are reverent and the little kids are learning to be. I just enjoy closing our day that way- singing hymns, reading from the scriptures, watching my children as they feel the spirit and their testimonies grow, and ending the day with family prayer.
We brushed teeth (extra well) and put everyone to bed. Madalyn did talked to herself in bed, as she often does, but before long it was quiet and all seven kids were sound asleep. Rick, Elaine, and I watched some TV together before going to bed ourselves. It was a busy, fun Halloween!
