Our family hasn't celebrated halloween or at least in the traditional way that most families do in 7 years. Our last dress up and go trick or treating was in 2000. We gave up halloween festivities when we got wrapped up in a very suffocating religious way of life (very long story indeed). And just so you know we don't care either way whether families celebrate the holiday or how they celebrate the holiday or why the celebrate the holiday etc. We are responsible for our family and our choices and we respect the right of others to have the same freedom of responsibility with their families. Just.So.You.Know! Therefore our youngest has never even gone even one time. Everyone else has gone at least once, but the two kiddies before her (P and F) don't remember it anyway. It has never really been a problem, noone even cared, even when it wan't for religious reasons.
Each year we usually get lots of candy and watch movies together. Well from 2004 up until now the kids have asked half heartedly about dressing up and trick or treating. My answer was an equally unenthusiastic "No not this year". There wasn't any whining and complaining. There wasn't any "that's not fair" stuff. No "we never get to do it" at all! The last few years of course, since the littles have asked to go, Justin hasn't been home on the 31st anyway, which is the main reason I don't take the children out on Halloween. It creeps me out to think about going. I worry about their safety and my ability to keep them safe all by myself.
I know that being creeped out at my age is pretty silly, but I can't even bring myself to put their names(maybe one day I'll relax a little) anywhere on this blog so far because of my paranoia and fear for their safety. I don't let them play out front in broad daylight unless they are together with 2 or more siblings, along with many other "I am sorry we can't do this or that" activities.
Anyway, what we did this year was go shopping at the dollar store where I let the pick out one bag of candy each with the understanding that the bags of candy would be shared among the 5 of them. No problem. Which candy to choose? Totally differet story! Decisions, decisions. This part was a little more complicated and time consuming as they each tried to be fair and buy what the others would like as well as themselves :)
Yep, that would be momma trying to sneak in a little, thoughtful consideration of others as well as yourself and sharing moral lesson. Not to mention a better selection than just one kind for each. After much very important deliberation...wallaaa!!! we walk out wih 8-9 bags since I picked up a couple more that I thougt that they would like as well.
Next we talked about what to do on the actual day. Trick or Treating was out (daddy's ship is out to sea), and we had already done the haunted house on the base, so what else??? Then it dawned on me...on the base they have $1.00 bowling on Wednesdays. So we all decided that bowling was a great idea! My babes all love bowling yay!!!
Bowling, scarey movie and candy.Fun.Cheap (big plus).Happy family! That is what it was all about anyway right, having a good time together? Maybe just maybe we will dress up as a family and hit the neighborhood again. We'll see, maybe we will continue with our tradition we have been following for the last 7 years. Who knows. What I do know is that it will be fun together as a family. As it should be. Hope your family had a happy holiday together too!
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