We haven't done much to celebrate Halloween at our house for the last couple years. We are kind of caught in the debate of whether it is OK to celebrate as long as we keep everything light and happy, or whether the whole holiday is based in a place we ought not to be visiting. Know what I mean? This year(and last), Will took the bigger kids to a giant Harvest Festival at a local church. I stayed home with Grace, and answered the door again and again and again. The kids had lots of fun and came home with a TON of candy. I have to admit, I really miss seeing my kids dressed up in adorable costumes, made by hand by me. That was always the fun part for me. I guess we'll have to check back in on the issue next year.
Until then, here's a little tour of Halloween through the years at the 5McCKid house....
**Just in Case You Were Wondering**
- 5KidMom
- I am the wife to a wonderful man named Will, and Mom to 5 amazing kids. Both Will and I were widowed before we met. We had 3 children between us when we married. We welcomed a new addition 1 1/2 years later. The pregnancy and birth were wild, so we decided to be "done". God had a different plan. We were introduced to international adoption, and started that process 11/04. We brought our 5th child home from Ethiopia 4/06. You could say our kids are Your's, Mine, Our's and Someone Else's. 8^) We are just grateful that they are all OUR'S! Someday, we will adopt from Ethiopia again. We know there is an "older child" that is meant to be part of our family. We trust that God will let us know when the time is right. Parenting is the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever taken on. I am not an expert, but I'm happy to share any insights I gain along the way. I also appreciate any tips I can glean from my readers. After all, it takes a village, right?!
AHOPE - Send Some Love
6 comments:
We struggle with the same concerns as you do about Halloween. I must say I shudder when I open the door on Halloween night and there stands before me a child dressed as a demonic creature. I toss them a few pieces of candy and hope they leave my front porch fast! I love your slide show of the kids in their costumes over the years. Love the M&M's.
Great photos and such cute, cute outfits.
We did Halloween at our house. Its still such a novelty as its not celebrated much in England.
Take care xx
I can't say we struggle with this yet, but my kids are so young that we don't have to even think about the scary part of it yet. BUT I LOVE dressing them up and we took them to Boo in the Zoo and then to a church thing last night. To me, if we can just keep them going to either a church thing or having our own fall party and then teach them about the evils of many around them - I think we will continue to do "celebrate". BUT last night I saw 2 kids - the only trick or treaters we had and they were probably 8 or 9 and he was some scary creature and she had a white dress on with an apron that had "blood" on the front and was carrying a fake chain saw -- WHATTTTT? at 8 or 9? The same little girl that just a few months ago was pushing her little doll in a baby stroller and wanted to come by and play with Isabella?! I think I will try my hardest to keep my girls from all of that - even if I can never be home on "trick or treating" so they don't get scared over any of the outfits either. LOVE Your pictures by the way and the costumes!
OH, this is the great debate, isn't it? well, my girls were a fish and a puppy this year, but when I was walking and seeing so many 'evil sights'..costumes, decorations, yards made to look like spooky cemeteries..I told my husbnad this is something we need to think about and pray about. I think it's such a great idea to substitute it with something fun like the harvest party. and by the way, REALLY CUTE costumes..you are so creative. we just head to superstore. :)
darci
We did Halloween this year and I think we will continue to in the future. My kids loved wearing their costumes (ladybug, frog and bumblebee), decorating (and eating!) Halloween cookies, and going to two harvest festivals. Eventually I look forward to trick-or-treating with them.
Yesterday Kevin and I were talking about the whole issue and both felt that whatever roots the day may have, it is now a cultural tradition and much of it is very innocent (though certainly not all of it.) Plus many other holidays have some roots in or connection to paganism, even Christmas and some of those traditions. Even doing a harvest festival instead where kids dress up on October 31st and get candy, to me is still "celebrating" Halloween since it's everything about Halloween except the name.
Whew, there's my take on the great Halloween debate! I'm glad you guys all had a great time!!
Handmade costumes! You're such a show off!! (Just kidding, of course! :) )
My favorite costume is the grapes!
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