Howl-oween!!!

I have to preface this post by saying that I am, admittedly, a Halloween scrooge. Nay-sayer. Curmudgeon. Kill-joy. What exactly is the point of the holiday? What exactly are we celebrating? Which commercial institution was the modern Halloween's brainchild?

What it boils down to is loss of dignity in the pursuit of candy. And, if you attend any Halloween function at your child's school, it also boils down to HOWLING HERDS of HUSTLING parents and children.

I will admit that one's cauldron of Halloween experiences could possibly simmer down to humor and fun, as well. Halloween could possibly be fun. Admittedly, we, the Radmall Family, did have a great time last Friday, and I do have the pictures to prove it. Pretty minimal howling considering what we were able to achieve in 6 hours' time.

I am already looking back on the experience, thankful that we visited almost all of the kids' great-grandparents and both sets of grandparents' homes on Halloween. I think the grandmas enjoyed it. We certainly did.

I already treasure the memory of the simple act of trick-or-treating with just my two older kids, on a peaceful, slightly sprinkly night. It was magical to ascend the steps whilst smelling that delightfully smoky burning pumpkin smell, and visiting with neighbors and friends I have grown to really love, while my kids collected treats. I am so glad there was no trunk or treat at my church this year. I think trick or treating is much better. My kids really enjoyed the journey, as much as the actually getting.

So, here's to my least favorite holiday. I guess it turned out pretty great, in spite of itself!