I must admit that as a kid I never really liked Halloween. At three years old I remember spending the evening of the 31st hiding under my bed when trick-or-treaters came to the door. It was too spooky for me and the line between fantasy and reality was just way too blurry. It didn't help that I grew up in Northern Canada where you always had to incorporate your snowsuit into your costume which can really curb the creative juices. In any case it was never my favourite holiday.
Pumpkins, though... I've always loved pumpkins. Searching for the perfect pumpkin, scraping out the guts (getting that familiar itchy, slimy feeling on your arms), designing the face, roasting the seeds, and finally watching nervously as Mom and Dad wield the huge knife to carve out the jack'o'lantern face. Then the search is on for an appropriate candle for the jack'o'lantern and some matches to light it. Eventually, it is perched on the front stoop to beckon the trick-or-treaters. Yes, the pumpkin is definitely my favourite feature of Halloween.
RKA actually loves Halloween and he really loves pumpkins. He goes all out planning his designs and he always carves more than one jack'o'lantern. After a month of perusing the web and taking our input he spends the afternoon of the 31st at the kitchen island drawing and carving. The results are always crowd-pleasing. Looking forward to seeing what he comes up with this year.
One of the traditions we have started with our kids is "ghosting". It is a phenomenon that is more popular in Eastern Canada but I think it should be popularized out west as well so we are doing our best to start it in our own little neighbourhood. The kids love it because they get an opportunity to try out their costumes. So we suited up tonight and went ghosting. Okay, so we semi-suited... B decided he was only going to wear his "chichen toat" and not the pants. R decided to only wear her crown with her pj's. Then we walked around the neighbourhood to deliver some goodies and this poem (and a large picture of a ghost):
YOU’VE BEEN GHOSTED!!!!
Late last night, we left you a treat.
The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.
Take the ghost and pin it on your door,
to let others know, you need ghosted no more.
Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise,
to two more families, we must advise.
Gather some treats and deliver them soon,
within two nights, under the light of the moon.
Include a ghost with each package you give,
along with this poem for the tradition to live.
It is a fun tradition and it was particularly hilarious tonight because B did not understand the concept of sneaking and being quiet. He really wanted to ring the doorbell and when I told him not to then he decided to knock on the door and shout "Hellooooo?". So our next door neighbour actually caught us before we snuck away. Darn chichen...lol. Good thing he is so cute!
So it is as a parent that I have come to appreciate the festivities of Halloween. You won't find me hiding under the bed this Halloween!
