One of the things I have most looked forward to with my kids growing up are traditions. Making new ones, and carrying on old ones in hopes that they will form some lasting memories. I fear I will drive my kids nuts one day. But for now, they’re young enough I can get away with it 
.
My memories from Halloween are mostly all about the costume. I remember going through my mom’s closet, or my sister’s looking for ideas. For some reason I always remember being a gypsy of some sort. I think it comes from this 70′s frock my mom had, and all her jewelery I loved to wear. And then I went through the box stage. One year I was a pair of dice with a friend, the next a present, and so on. I remember always catching “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on TV, and any others ABC Family had playing.
On the big night, my sister, brother, me and some friends from the neighborhood would scour the town. And by town I mean the entire town, until the latest hours we could get away with, stuffing pillowcases full of candy. We’d get home and my mom would go through the candy looking for anything suspicious (really she was looking for her favorites, and then take a few. I totally plan on carrying on this tradition!), and then I would sit and eat candy till my belly hurt. My mom was cool like that.
So now it’s my turn. Here is what I have planned for the week of Halloween:
- Monday – Go to the pumpkin patch and pick out the ugliest pumpkins we can find. Take the hay ride, get the ice cream, you know all the things we don’t normally say yes to. And no we have not done this yet…cut me some slack, we just moved…sheesh!
- Tuesday – Take one of the pumpkins and make dinner in a pumpkin. Then taking Maria’s advice after dark walk around the neighborhood with flashlights to see all the Halloween decor. My neighborhood goes all out so this is perfect! Thanks Maria
- Wednesday – Take from Design Mom’s idea and read some stories by candlelight. I already checked out a bunch of Halloween books from the library, and she has some great recommendations here.
- Thursday – It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is on ABC tonight! Pop some popcorn, maybe throw in some caramel (my sister has a great recipe, I’ll get it and share on our facebook page), and lay in a heap of blankets on the floor to enjoy the old peanuts classic. ABC Family has a movie every night until Halloween, schedule here.
- Friday – Carve our pumpkins, and light them up. This is my husbands favorite part of Halloween.
- Saturday – Take around our Halloween treats to the neighbors and friends. Go check out the festivities at our library’s Halloween party.
- Sunday – Halloween!! Costumes, candy, you know the drill! Maybe all of this Saturday? Haven’t figured that out yet.
Oooo, I can hardly wait! I am such a dork like that. I know the vision in my head goes much more smoothly than reality, but hey, you gotta try.
So how about you? Any plans, traditions? I would love to hear them!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
That sounds like a fun week. We’re decorating tomorrow with a big ole spider we’ve made, then carving pumpkins. There’s some apple cider chilling in the fridge to get us in the mood. Otherwise, I’m afraid we don’t do much besides trick-or-treating with friends. That, in itself, has become a tradition over the past couple years. One my girlfriend and I look forward to as much as the kids do!
mmm, apple cider. I miss my mom’s wood burning stove, she would make it in a cast iron kettle with all the good stuff.
Thanks for the heads up about the Halloween movies! Halloween week traditions include Mummy dogs and Mummy pizzas for dinner, carving pumpkins, crafts, and a trunk or treating party.
Mummy dogs! My boy would love that. Your welcome on the movies!
Carving pumpkins, of course. But my big thrill is sorting through all my kids’ candy and organizing it with them. Oh yes. I said organizing it. Who’s the dork now?
that is hilarious Julie. But certainly the best way to take inventory!
Your kids are gonna have so much fun. Reading this makes me wish I was still a kid. I loved Halloween parties as a kid….and I still do.