Yes, I said it. I’m over Halloween. I was over Halloween this weekend actually.
We have already been celebrating this holiday a few times already.
Day 1: Thursday night was Trick or Treat downtown. Here are probably the two best pictures I will get from Halloween this year:
Dressed in multiple layers (as Wisconsin trick or treat MUST), we met friends and walked downtown to trick or treat at a few businesses. It was great to get out of the wagon, walk inside & warm up a bit. After about an hour, we took a break at the Italian bakery for dinner. This is when big sister started to be “over” Halloween as well, when the kitty ears came off. Crazy, sugar high ensues before bedtime. Parents consume wine thereafter.
Day 2: Friday we wanted to show off our Halloween costumes to Grandma & Grandpa and Great Grandma. My daughter refused to put her kitty costume on. “It’s not Halloween yet.”
Hmm…hard to argue with her, so I let her be (though I DID ask again when visiting Great Grandma, and got a grunt / no in return).
Day 3: More trick or treat with our cousins. Big sister kept her kitty ears on for about 5 minutes. After this, she was an earless kitty.
Little brother refused to get out of the stroller, so he enjoyed “valet” trick or treat. Luckily the treat-givers were typically sitting in their driveway, so it made it easy for Daddy O. to drive straight to the candy. Lucky little guy!
More crazyness occurs after getting home (despite our 1 piece of candy only rule). Little brother melts down, wanting to sleep with his ghost candy bag. More wine after surviving!
Day 4: Sunday – no Halloween costumes or trick or treat today. Only a little drama involving candy. Big sister finds a feather in her Halloween candy and calls it the “best treasure of all.” Hmm..maybe we should hand out feathers instead of candy?We carve pumpkins and roast pumpkin seeds that actually taste good – really good!
Day 5: Pre-school field trip – Big sister wants to change her costume to last year’s costume – a puppy ghost.
We somehow convince her to just be a kitty. Ears apparently stay on when she sees her friends in costume. Kids took a field trip to an area nursing home and sang Halloween songs. It apparently was a HUGE hit. More candy came home! There was drama at dinner (as to be expected) over what candy to have for dessert (or dinnertime bonus as we call it in our house). More wine anyone?
With only ONE more day of official costume wearing and Halloween festivities, I am READY for Halloween to be over. Until then, I’ll grab a candy bar to help me cope!
How do you feel about Halloween and multiple celebrations? Do your kids try to change costumes mid-stream like mine? Have a Happy Halloween!
go mama o. 
I always forget about the trick or treating downtown, until the last second when we’ve already got something else to do. And my kids are in charge of their costumes (they’re 4th graders, though). I’ve got some guidelines: 1) it’s got to be weather-friendly (read: warm or layer-able); 2) they have to be able to wear it to school for the classroom parties; 3) it’s one day and it’s primarily a candy-gathering device, so I’m not spending a ton of money on a costume. We’ve got enough stuff in the house to come up with some pretty good costumes — the kids view it as a creative challenge; and 4) you’ve got to be able to RUN in it (once the real trick or treating begins). No princess heels unless you’re only going to 4 houses.
Of course, I think my kids are nearing the end of the fun “love your costume” phase and are more into “how can I get more candy?” Once they realize that we have a ton of candy right here in a bowl, it’ll be over. Sigh.
Good rules! I agree – keep the costumes easy and cheap, but I’m sure the running and no heels will be rules I need in a few years. My kids ARE pretty cute dressing up and trick or treating. Like you said, they won’t be into it forever, so we have to have fun with it while we can.
I thought your Halloween pumpkin post was so cute! Nicely done Joan! Have a nice Halloween.