It's all about bribery

When researching the origins of Halloween, you find out about the Celts from 2000 years ago, celebrating Samhain, who lit bonfires and wore costumes and masks of animal heads and skin.

Then there's the Christian's All Saints Day and All-Hallows...

but it was in the early 1900's in America that the tradition turned more into what we have now.  

They started having vandalism issues around that time during Halloween, 

so they started offering kids bribes or treats to keep them from causing mischief on Halloween night.

BRIBERY.

That's what you're doing when kids come to your door.

You're giving them a bribe not to destroy your property.

Wow.

 For me, Halloween is about having fun with my family.

Using our imaginations and dressing up.

Getting togeher with family to eat and give out candy.

Carving pumpkins.

It's fun.

I haven't really done much of the Haunted houses or scary stuff, but I think that stuff is fine.

All Hallows Eve

Halloween night . . . a time when, the old stories say, the veil between this world and the next is thin . . . a time when spirits walk . . . when signs and portents abound . . .

Does this crow bring a message from that world? His eye has a meaningful gaze . . .

From all the coves and hollows, pale mists swirl and rise . . . spirits of the Cherokee . . . the Scot-Irish, the English, the Germans . . . all those who called these mountains home. . .

The mist clings; it whispers in your ears. . . twines in your hair . . . you breath it in and with it all the history of these haunted hills . . . you are part of us forever . . . the voices echo and recede . . .

It's a good night for drawing near the fire and telling ghost stories . . .

Halloween Traditions in the Country of Suburbia

For the last two years that I've lived in the suburbs of Dallas,
I've discovered some interesting traditions that are practice.

You basically put together a Halloween gift bag of goodies
with a special poem and a sign...

and then doorbell ditch the bag anonymously.

Once you've been hit, you get to put up this sign on your door:

And then it's your responsibility to carry on the event...
and hit two more neighbors with these surprises.

My mom (who we live with) decided to START it this year.

She likes to instigate things.

And she recruited my two hooligans to deliver the goods in the dark.

They loved it.

They snuck into neighbors yards and rang doorbells and ran.

And then we didn't put up a sign, hoping we get hit back in return.

And we did.
A few nights later.

Did you know about this Halloween tradition?
Have you ever participated?
Have you ever instigated?!

Not even pretend?

I read this post recently about a mom blogger, Shamelessly Sassy, who gave out candy cigarettes for Halloween. I thought that was funny but apparently she had a parent RETURN the candy at the end of the night.

I don't approve of smoking. I think it's horrible, and I've never touched one myself. But, that doesn't mean I think candy that looks like a cigarette is bad. It's pretend. And if anything, it provokes conversation with our children about the subject of smoking.

And I think kids get the difference between real and pretend.

Her post reminded me of something I saw on Halloween.

I saw a little boy dressed up like a policeman...but without a gun.



In fact, I heard his mother commenting that he wasn't allowed to have a gun with his costume.

I was shocked.

If he'd been a ninja, would she have not let him carry sword? If he'd been a lion tamer, could he not carry a whip? A pirate? A soldier? A Jedi without a light saber? Costumes are all about the props.

What about water guns? Are those inappropriate?

My son Remy was a Star Wars Storm Trooper, and I bought him a blaster gun that made authentic noises. He loves it. He knows it's not real...but we still teach him not to point it at people unless they're playing pretend with him. We teach him real gun safety.

I also have noticed most kids, when playing with pretend weapons, are usually fighting the bad guys. They aren't trying to shoot the good guys or the women and children. Wanting to protect the good and fight the bad is normal...and a good attitude to promote.

The thing I've noticed about boys...they turn everything into weapons. And I think the key to dealing with this, in my opinion, is to teach them safety.

What do you ban from your kids? Girls or boys.

Wicked Cool

Question: What do you get when you cross a Star Wars Storm Trooper
with a Giant Whoopee Cushion?

Answer: My children.

Question: What do you get when you mix Sunshine and Lemonade?





Answer: An awesome blog with a Wicked Cool contest hosted by the lovely Kat.

Kat is hilarious, witty, and wonderful and has an amazing blog.
She knows Latin and lives in Georgia.
She loves to travel.
She's an avid reader.
She's my bloggy BFF!

She's giving away prizes once a week...for TEN WEEKS!

How cool is that?! GO CHECK HER OUT!

The Ghost of Halloween Past

These photos are from Halloween TWO YEARS AGO! 2006.

Remy was a red ninja
&
Donny was Captain Jack Sparrow

I'm not really sure what I was.
A mysterious witch?

The boys picked out Texas Homeboy's costume that year.

And we slapped a sombrero on my dad.

Do you dress up with your kids?
I always do.
Do you pick out your spouse's costume for them?
Yep.
Do you visit haunted houses?
I haven't in quite a while but they're fun!