Our Busy, Happy Halloween

This Halloween was a Friday.  A busy, busy Friday.  We babysat a sweet little girl Elliot's age this morning. 

 It was a chaotic 4 hours filled with pottying, accidents, pull-ups, new underwear, stories, tea parties, pretending, and cake making.  

I was pretty tired after a few hours and SO grateful to not be pregnant.  Being pregnant is exhausting.  Anyways, it was a busy, good morning.  

All the kids had a nap and/or "rest" time after lunch, and as soon as everyone was up, we ventured over to Hobby Lobby for some last-minute party supplies I need for 2 showers I'm hosting this weekend.  

When we go out, I take the double-stroller.  Elliot sits in the front, and Lucy sits in the back, holding Oliver in her lap.  We attract a lot of attention.  Lucy gets a choice between holding Oliver in her lap or walking beside me, but she always chooses to hold him.  She is tickled at having this special job.  

Hobby Lobby turned out to be a fairly easy, quick trip.  We ate a quick take-out meal for dinner when we got home, and then it was time for COSTUMES!!!

Lucy and Elliot were looking forward to dressing up as Doc McStuffins and a monkey all. day. long.  Actually for several weeks now.  We even did a "dry run" a week ago.  I let them dress up in their costumes and practice ringing our doorbell and saying trick or treat!!! 

Lucy was a little shy the first couple of houses, but she got her feet under her and started becoming excited about ringing the doorbell of our neighbors.  

 

Elliot kept getting distracted with things like, "noooon!!!" (the moon)...

 

...and acorns that simply could not be left behind.

 

The big kids had a blast tonight.  I think they'd like to wear their costumes everyday for the next several months.  

For my part, I'm left with this lingering question... what do we do with this candy?  In an age where we already are eating far more sugar than we need, how can I possibly justify feeding this stuff to my kids? They already get "potty treats" (read: jelly beans) after each trip to the potty.  

The dentist asked me the other day, "They don't eat much candy, right?"  And I was like, Definitely not.  Ummm... except after every time they go to the bathroom.  Oops.  

However, my guilt about how much candy they eat is assuaged by the fact that Elliot is nearly done with potty training.  

With little ones so close together and in cloth diapers, early potty training is necessary -- or at least very helpful.   

So, back to Halloween! We had a blast with our candy-lovin', costume-lovin' munchkins.  I love these years.  

Some day they'll be asking to go to Halloween parties and wearing costumes we don't love.  But today is not that day.  

 

Today was amazing.  And when that scary day comes, when they're wanting costumes we don't like and wanting to go to parties... God's grace will be sufficient for that day.  One day at a time.