candy. Candy. CANDY!

Last year, we took the kids trick-or-treating at several different places, mainly because they were free family events (and we're all about those!). This year, however, we decided to cut back a bit, not so much because there weren't as many events, but because the kids didn't need so MUCH candy. (We're slowly but surely trying to make some positive and healthy food changes/choices, but that's for another post.) Besides, they still had candy leftover from the 4th of July parade!

Well, despite limiting some of the specific trick-or-treat candy deluge opportunities, the kids still wound up with a ton (and that's after giving some of it away to the trick-or-treaters who stopped by our place). First, there was T-or-T at Wegman's. Leah ran from station to station, greeting each person with a "Happy Trick-or-Treat!". Hunter waddled, stiff-armed, from one station to the next. (I don't think he was sure how to walk in his shark costume.) It was pretty funny watching him, especially since he looked so serious.

Then there was the WSHS Homecoming parade. I knew there would be candy, but I had no idea just how much! Of course, cuteness equates to extra candy, some of it personally delivered (rather than it being jettisoned through the air) to Hunter (along with, "Ahhh, he's so cute!"). Leah was quick on her feet, snatching candy in her vicinity (or Hunter's). By the end of the parade, my pockets were full!

Halloween morning, I took the kids to the library for a costume parade. I didn't know there would be candy; I thought they'd listen to a few stories, maybe make a craft, and then parade around the library in their costumes. Silly, naive, Mommy. Yes, the kids listened to stories, but then the parade involved T-or-T. Yes, more candy (though not THAT much, thankfully).

And of course, do I even need to mention Halloween night? Scott and I both were surprised by the amount the kids collected, especially the number of full-size candy bars they received. Looks like we'll have to do our part to get rid of the candy in the house, too. Oh, the sacrifices we parents make!

We didn't carve pumpkins until two nights before Halloween, mainly because we hadn't had time before then, but the wait was worth it.

Hunter and Leah enjoyed pulling the seeds out (and surprisingly, it wasn't too messy!).

The cat and the bat.

Leah took this photo of her jack-o-lantern. When we took them trick-or-treating, she told everyone about her cat pumpkin. She was so proud of it!

I'm THAT mom who doesn't know how to take a good photo. This was at the library, and where do I stage them? In front of the book drop and next to a trash can. Real classy.

The fairy and the shark are ready to go! Scott and I loved walking around with the kids. Halloween is much more fun living it through our children's eyes.