Halloween averted

It’s National Blog Posting Month and I’ve signed up. All I have to do is post an entry every day for the whole month of November. “All I have to do” is kind of a silly thing to say because I’m a bit intimidated by it and it’s easier said than done to come up with a blog entry every day, but it’s exactly the kind of challenge I need to jump start the blog again! Wish me luck!

It’s over! Halloween. I don’t like it. I don’t like the characters, the masks, the music, the cotton spiderweb stuff in trees and the like. I admit that there have been years in the past where I’ve actually turned my front light on and given out candy; the one thing I do like about Halloween is seeing the cute little trick-or-treaters in their costumes. Well, until some of the older ones get just plain rude. Then I turn off the light and console myself with Three Musketeers and Tootsie Rolls, lamenting about the state of our future at the hands of ill-behaved monsters.

The final piece of soul-searching I had to do when I was considering becoming a mom was this reflective statement: If I become a mom, I will actually have to participate in Halloween and mostly act like I enjoy it. If I’m okay with that, then I can start the adoption proceeding.

Fortunately, the boys are just one and two so we could get by this year without participating, but I realize this will be the last year. I will say that we loved the Halloween present the boys’ aunt and uncle sent – matching sweat shirts, trick-or-treat bags which the boys carry like they are purses, DVD’s and books. But next year, Dave and I will be carving a pumpkin (okay, Dave will do that), dressing up the kids and stalking the neighbors (also known as trick-or-treating). Although I am working up a plan to get the kids on my side. I really think I’m onto something. I’ll deliver the following bit of news in the most earnest hey-this-message-isn’t-coming-from-me-I’m-just-telling-you-the-facts:

Well, boys, it’s time to pick you costumes? What? You say you’re excited? Oh darlings I’m so glad to hear you say that – nothing makes me happier than knowing you’re excited. I’m also proud of you for risking the Christmas consequences that sometime occur as a result of participating in Halloween. Unfortunately, Santa frowns upon Halloween and sometimes there are consequences on Christmas morning for those who take part. Santa sanctions, if you will. I know, kids, I think it's horrifying, too, but I'm just telling you the word on the street.

I didn’t think I was going to stoop so low so early in the parenting adventure, but alas, I’m going to start playing the Santa card. Pathetic, I know.