We did it!
Another Halloween in the books!
(A few days ago, but--hey--let's call this the posting delay grace period!)
I give you: our assorted conglomeration of my own kiddos and some friends. Woop woop!
Okay. Now. For some context...
Last year, we intentionally broke the glorious Halloween cycle that we'd enjoyed for years.
It was a little bittersweet to rip of the bandage, but it was the right thing to do, because...
1. The kiddos were on the verge of those transitional Halloween years (to Trick-or-Treat or not to Trick-or-Treat; that is the question).
2. The family we'd traditionally enjoyed the holiday with had moved from the neighborhood, so we knew things would feel different--and not in a good way.
3. We had the chance to be at our beloved Mohonk for Halloween, and we jumped on it.
For all of the above reasons, it was the right decision, and it paid off, big time.
Not only did it pay off in the moment, but...it had the added benefit of transitioning us so beautifully into this year.
Instead of going immediately from the annual (like, six years running) gloriousness of the whole family dressing up and prowling the neighborhood with friends, the Mohonk break served as a launching point for new and different Halloween vibes that leaned into the free spirit (ha--pun intended, there) of the season, instead of clinging to past, outdated traditions.
We had loose plans that panned out perfectly for the girlies: Chica's closest friends (who've all generously taken Chicklet under their wing) came over to hang, dress up, and sleepover--and they were willing and eager to pass out candy.
And though I was a bit worried about where this would leave Little Man, he was able to sync up with a neighborhood friend to do some duo Trick-or-Treating without us looming as chaperones, and he lived up the independence and had a happy go of it.
So, nothing but win, win, WIN vibes for this new season of Tween/Teen years doing Halloween up in their own way.
And let me tell ya--hosting the festivities and catering to all the teens doing their thing was more than enough to entertain me, so I happily collapsed on the couch when they all ended up out and about in the neighborhood (the older girlies went prowling for just a bit) and experienced zero bittersweet feelings.
You know, I think the same holds true for us over and over:
We've done the holidays up right for so many years that it's hard to feel sad about any changes or transitions.
We have such beautiful Halloween memories. I feel nothing but gratitude for the many (many!) rounds of coordinated family fun. And now...
Onward and upward!
Okay...photo dump, now, of the girlies hanging, dressing up and picture-posing, Little Man and his hysterical inflatable, and the happy-exhausted candy haul.
Stay tuned for the next post that will feature our immediate turnover from Halloween to CHRISTMAS!
All thanks to Chica's enthusiastic friends, who started blasting Christmas music ten minutes after the above pic, declaring the season BEGUN! Ha.
Happy November, peeps!
Over and out.
P.S. Little Man and I had so much fun doodling a plethora of Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving pictures from August-October. In fact, we even framed a whole assortment outside the playroom!
Then we capped off this particular season with THE challenge we were saving for last.
I give you...the Autumnal Dragon!
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