We just wrapped Halloween, and this year was different in a few ways.
We got our decorations out on time but for some reason skipped the pumpkin path and never carved pumpkins. Clearly, we got our priorities wrong. We participated in your school’s “trunk or treat” but for us it was a “frunk or treat” with the Ford Lightning. Let’s be honest. Ninety percent of my motivation was about using the truck for this. Our theme was UW Huskies football and was a big hit for everyone except Cougars.
As for Halloween day, rainy weather reduced the total number of trick or treaters compared to the last couple of dry years. The kids who braved the weather were soaked and spent extra time by the propane fire at our house to warm up.
The rain didn’t stop you. Last year, you were done trick or treating early after a half an hour as you were more interested in being home to greet kids at our house and watch the movie being projected on the garage door. This year, you joined your buddies Austin and Daniel to canvas the entire neighborhood, sprinting door to door. Eliza was the one who called it early, citing wet shoes and shivering in her angel costume.
As for the costumes, I thought we were on the same page about matching Harry Potter outfits, you as Harry and me as James Potter (Harry’s Dad). However, on game day you decided to dress as a blue ninja to match your buddies. I get it. I also called an audible to throw on the popular Spiderman costume to match your Mom, who took my Superman costume to be Superwoman.
For all your hard work, you earned an excellent haul of candy. We cut you off after downing the first 10 or 12 pieces to save for later. Of course, I ate some too. Your Mom really got after the candy earlier in the month and suggested that we soon need to get all candy all of the house before she eats it all. Sugar is a tough vice to shake.
You’re at the start of your peak Halloween years at age 7. Kids any younger just don’t have the legs for the neighborhood. I saw some nine-year-olds and older trick or treating solo, though I imagine we’ll hang with you into later ages because we like the walk as much as handing out candy. We had a share of teenagers come through in groups, and I hope you stay with it at least through junior high.
When you can grow a mustache, that’s a good signal to consider hanging up the candy basket. Take it from the guy who wore a full bodysuit Spiderman costume.
Love, Dad