Given the ongoing Pandemic Situation, we decided to opt out of trick-or-treating this year. If I actually thought this decision would seriously disappointment or otherwise scar any of my children for life, I probably would have considered it. But given their ambivalence on the matter, The Husband and I decided to make the decision for them and simply plan an extra fun evening of festivities at home.
Besides, the six year-old spent most of the week dressed up as a pirate anyway, so that totally counts. And we obviously still had a big bowl of candy available because we aren't monsters.
The boys did express interest in pumpkin-carving, so we made that happen.
The teens helped the younger ones with the knife-wielding (except Oldest Boy who was holed up in his room working on a programming project. But he also doesn't like getting messy).
We all agreed that Benjamin's was the most terrifying.
I'll let you figure out which one that is.
There didn't seem to be nearly as many trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood this year. I know other neighborhoods were busier, but ours was definitely a little quieter this year. We have the extra challenge of living in a house that's on a cul-de-sac, up a very long driveway and half way in the woods. We usually set up a fire pit about halfway down our driveway and hand out candy from there; generously rewarding anyone who actually makes the full trek. We decided to enjoy hot apple cider while playing a new, spooky, game called Mysterium instead.
Obviously we needed an adult beverage as well - mulled wine + apple cider in the crock pot or "keep warm" setting of the Instant Pot. It tastes like fall. And reminds us of our awesome friends and neighbors in Cleveland that we always spent Halloween with.
The game was a lot of fun and one all the boys seemed to enjoy - no easy feat when the ages span six to eighteen. My husband gets all the credit for finding and purchasing the game, setting it up and watching tutorials so we could avoid most of the "No Idea What We're Doing and Just Want to Play" phase of any new game.
The other highlight of the evening was the Alien Autopsy Buffet The Husband made for dinner. The boys weren't really sure what to make of it, but since it was made up mostly of various meats, they ate it.
It's a culinary creation he's envisioned making for awhile now and it was fun to see it come to fruition.
And that was Halloween - pandemic version. We also spent some time outside stargazing - the moon was full and bright and several planets were in view as well (Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). With binoculars the boys were even able to make out Jupiter's moons.
The weather turned a bit cold, rainy and disgusting last week, but it looks like the beautiful fall weather will be returning this week. Fingers crossed...
I hope you enjoyed Halloween and All Saints Day however you celebrated!
~ Dori
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