Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good to Eat!

Halloween...what an interesting holiday!  While trick or treating with my family recently, my brother-in-law Dave brought up that Halloween is such a weird holiday if you really think about it.  My sister-in-law Danielle added (and I'm paraphrasing) that it's the opposite of everything parents want for their kids:  tons of candy, emphasis on gory stuff, being out late at night, knocking on strangers' doors, etc.  This is so true, it made me laugh!  I think as parents we try to focus on the cute, fun side of Halloween, but no doubt, many of us do ponder how strange it is that we celebrate a "horror" holiday!  So, I decided to refresh my memory on what Halloween is really all about.  I say refresh my memory, because deep in the recesses of my brain I have a vague recollection of being told or reading about the history of Halloween when I was a child.  So, here's a very summed up version of why we celebrate this intriguing holiday.

Also known as All Hallow's Eve, Halloween is celebrated in a number of countries on October 31st, the eve of the Christian feast All Hallow's Day.  It's the commencement of the triduum of Hallowmas (three day religious observance of All Saints), dedicated to remembering the dead, especially saints (hallows), martyrs and all of the faithful departed. Halloween was originally a pagan festival, oriented around fire, the dead and the powers of darkness. This pagan festival was transformed into one that honors deceased saints. Here's some of the symbolism:  Jack 'O Lanterns scare off evil spirits; dressing up in costumes pokes fun at the Christian figure Satan; skulls, skeletons, and the dead are a reminder that death is inevitable.

Halloween has most definitely made its way back to being a pagan celebration, at least in my part of the world.  However, I'm glad I read up on its history and origin, and as a Christian, I'll enjoy the symbolism next year on October 31st.

If nothing else, it's certainly a blast to watch my children have an amazing time with family and friends, all dressed up and cute as can be!

One of the few times I could get this little candy obsessed dragon to look up at me!

I think Addy had a sucker in her mouth the entire time we were out trick or treating.

almost lost little miss Blueberry Muffin, she was so hard to keep up with!

Izzy's ready to move to the next house and wanting mom to stop taking pictures

We got the greatest comments on Rory's Mad Hatter costume

Look at those eye lashes!

Things my kids have said in the last 6 months that I want to remember!

Of course, since RORY is much more verbally advanced than Isabella, she's covered the most in this post. She says the funniest things. I wish I had written them all down. I always think that there's no way I'm going to forget some of the things that come out of her mouth, but I guess I just have too much to remember all the time. Here's some things that I actually did write down right after she said them:

One night we were having family home evening and we were talking about dressing modestly. I asked Rory what kind of clothes she thought were appropriate or modest.
Rory: "This dress (pointing to herself) is modest cuz it's not all boobs and stuff." (pointing to chest).

Rory and Seth were playing the copycat game. Rory was supposed to have copied what Seth said.
Seth: "Why didn't you copycat me?"
Rory: "I don't want to exturb you!" (meaning to say "disturb")

Rory and cousin Rosie hadn't seen eachother in a while. Upon meeting up with one another Rosie exclaimed: "Rory! Rory! I'm here! I'm here!
Rory: (arms outstretched) "Rosie! Come here! Come here!...you wonderful girl!!!!
They ran to each other and hugged as though they were long lost sisters.

ISABELLA: Last night, Glen was trying to get some loves from Izzy and she said: "No! No! Don mess wif Izzyboo!" (something we frequently call her) And if you don't read baby script, she was saying (don't mess with...)

I'm just kicking myself for not writing everything down right when they say it, because we all know that extraordinary things come OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES!