Article by Wendy McCance
I have always loved this time of year. The cider mills, roasting pumpkin seeds, carving pumpkins and decorating for Halloween are such good times. When you have kids, it seems the fun is heightened watching the kids enjoy the same things you loved as a child.
Well, the kids are getting older. My youngest is in middle school and the oldest will be graduating high school this year. I have been absorbing ever minute and making the best out of the time I have left to see the kids be kids.
My daughters were at the kitchen table carving their pumpkins. I heard the younger daughter joke with her sister that since she was in her last year of high school, this would be the last time she would be carving a pumpkin. My daughters reply was a simple, “ah, no I don’t think so.” I’m glad she isn’t feeling too old for what many label as “kid stuff.”
While the girls were busy with pumpkins, my son had an opportunity to get together with some friends, dress up in costume and go trick or treating through a semi-scary forest. As the youngest, he still has an abundance of Halloween spirit.
I know I have some time before the kids truly feel too old for many of these activities, but I have enjoyed seeing the kids enjoy these moments so much, I just don’t want them to end.
I am lucky in one regard. I have a husband that is a true kid at heart. He is great at getting everyone into the holiday spirit. The other day he came home from doing some errands. He surprised us with several pumpkins. He lined them up on the porch and waited for the kids to notice they had appeared. The kids were thrilled. They seemed most excited to pick out which pumpkin was the perfect pumpkin for each of them to carve.
The kids had planned an evening to carve their pumpkins. As they sat around the table laughing and carving, my husband got to work roasting some pumpkin seeds. A while later, he had snuck outside to decorate the front porch with pumpkin lights, a light up spiderweb and many spooky items he got down from the attic.
I love to see my husband enjoy the holidays as much if not more than the kids. He makes these moments so sweet. The best part is how the kids feel having a step-dad who looks for ways to make their childhood full of fun memories.
Wendy McCance
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Halloween has the opportunity to bring us many great memories. These memories of you, your children and your husband become a permanent part of you. That is something no one can ever take away making them so very precious indeed.
It’s such a fun time of year and I remember those days so well. I now see my girls and their husbands enjoying Halloween with their families. Love it and cherish the times and memories.
I’m going to love seeing the kids grown with little ones of their own. The holidays will be so much fun.
It is and so enjoyable the second time around as a grandparent. Can just love, love, love and watch them grow and reflect on the memories being made with them. That’s a lot what my stories are about (memories and reflections). We may not be able to stop them from growing up and moving on but we can always hold onto the memories we’ve made with them.
Love this!!
I love Halloween too, but unfortunately around here, kids are not allowed to dress up for school, color any pictures, even mention it cuz “some” people thought it was evil. I guess my kids got in on the tail end of actual trick-or-treating, now the kids all go to festivals at their church that gives out candy or to the mall where the stores do it. I love your blog.. Thanks for the wonderful memories…
Thanks so much. It’s sad that the kids can’t enjoy the holiday at school. I can’t believe that a school doesn’t celebrate, but a church of all things does.
My son is grown, but I still enjoy celebrating Halloween. My celebration involves immersing myself in classic and new horror movies and potato chips. Halloween is my favorite holiday!
As I was reading your post, I kept thinking “You are never too old to enjoy Halloween” of course when the children grow up and move out it does change, but then I had time to just enjoy this time of year without all the activities that came with being a parent, it was a peaceful and thankful time for me.
While reading about your husband I was thinking what a wonderful husband and father. In the end, you share he is actually the children’s step-father and I realized I needed to congratulate you in finding such a wonderful partner who enjoys your children and parenting them so much. You and your family are truly blessed.
I think so too. Thanks so much for your comment.