Halloween Through the Ages

If you were looking for a history lesson in the origins of Halloween, you’ll need to visit a much more reputable source like Wikipedia. I’m here to talk about Halloween through my son’s ages.

He’s 4 this year (four and three-quarters to be exact) which means this is the 5th Halloween we’re celebrating together. And every once in a while, because this is my space, I get to just be an outright gratuitous mommy blogger. I get called that anyway even though I emphasize throughout that this blog is about ME. Okay, I guess I write about my family too.

So I decided to smother you with Halloween cuteness and maybe a little tiny giveaway at the very end.

Without further adieu, I give you some Halloween memories. Please to enjoy.

2007

Year 1: I was that mom. I paid $50 to buy this ridiculously cute Tom Arma costume that was worn for about 20 minutes. It was so hot and quite annoying for Evan, I’m sure. Yes, I was also that mom that pushed him around in the stroller to collect. But cut me some slack. We only went to 3 houses and they were neighbors we knew. I just wanted to show off the cuteness.

I also worked at an office and we always played dress up every year. In fact, people were disappointed if I didn’t dress up. So I played along even if geisha isn’t my best look.

2008

Year 2: Evan was still too little to have any preference in costume so I got to pick him the most adorable pirate costume from Old Navy. But this was the year he understood the concept. I told him about knocking on doors, saying trick or treat, and getting candy. It wasn’t until we knocked on the first door that he got it. And then he took off running for the other houses.

I don’t remember if Halloween was on the weekend but whatever costume I wore to work came off as soon as I got home. And I came thisclose to going out trick-or-treating as a normal mom. At the last minute, I decided to pull off a very watered down cowgirl look.

2009

Year 3: Evan had developed his own interests and his costume choice was not up to me. He decided, this year, that he wanted to be a pirate. And he wanted to wear the exact same costume from the previous year (which still fit). Many parents were delighted with my story because I didn’t have to buy another costume! I, however, was disappointed. I missed the fun of making him look ridiculous all by myself.

That year, we went to my friend Heather’s awesome Halloween party. And although it was a kids’ party, I couldn’t NOT go in costume. Evan requested that I be a mommy pirate so that’s exactly what I went as. We even dragged Daddy along who was wearing his office costume (he was Jon, from Jon and Kate Plus 8; it was a popular costume that year).

2010

Year 4: There was no question what Evan wanted to be this year. It was all things Buzz Lightyear. This was the year he put on his costume and felt transformed. He was Buzz Lightyear. He was also annoyed with the hood but left it up long enough for me to take gratuitous shots.

And where was my costume? I had one. I was a Vampiress, complete with collared dress and spooky makeup. But the pictures were so godawful unflattering (mainly because it showed my abdominal excess a little too well) that I thought I’d show you how I ended up for trick or treating on Halloween night. I was wearing orange. I was still in the spirit!

Oh alright, fine. I’ll show you my Vampiress picture. Yuck.

2011

Year 5: Oh, how we’re growing up. I let Evan pick out whatever he wanted (with mom approval and a little influence). And what does a 4 3/4 year old pick? A ninja, of course. I suppose he’s right on track because when I dropped him off for his Fall Party at preschool, he was the third ninja in his class. None of them look as good as my little ninja.

As for me? Well, I did break down and buy a $2.50 witch hat from Target. I’m sure I’ll pull off something at the last minute. Until then, I have my sweats on and I’m pretending that I’m going to work out today.