Halloween - Sliced Cheese and Discarded Clothes

Halloween has to be one of my favorite holidays. We always get together with my brother and his family and trick-or-treat with them. It's been a tradition for about 8 years, I think. Each year we have something new to add to the list of memories and this year was no exception. Last year Greg set fire to himself and the whole neighborhood (that's the way the kids tell it anyway). This year it was all about Cheese!
You know those houses where you know they don't come from the States and have no idea about our traditions and customs? Well, we knocked on one of those - Asian. Very sweet older lady who felt so bad about not having anything to give the kids that she handed them a pack of "12 Sandwich Slices." :) Elijah was so excited about this large item she had handed out until he saw what it really was. Luckily he didn't show his disappointment until after she had shut the door. He turns to me and says, "Aw Man, Sandwich Slices?! What, are we having sandwiches?" Oh, I love that kid!
Bret and I have also decided that we've got this trick-or-treating thing down to a science. And I am going to share my great wealth of knowledge with all those beginners out there.
1. Children only come home with about 10% of their costumes still on their bodies. The other 90% is in your arms. Don't dress them in complicated costumes. My homemade Puppy, Zombie, Doctor, and Hunter are just as cute as the Scream character whose mask is being held by dad and his robe is tied up around his waist.
2. Pillowcases really don't make good bags for the candy. Maybe they are great for older kids, but little ones - stay away. They are hard to hold open and it takes 20 years for the passerouters to get the candy into them. Your child then holds up the line for my speed demons. :) The best "bags" are the plastic pumpkin ones sold at Walmart for $1. They have the open top and a handle and are PERFECT for the little ones.
3. Little ones will complain 20 minutes into the trick-or-treating. Their little spirits are so torn! Candy/Tired..... Which one? After 20 minutes, the tired starts to win. After another 20 minutes they really get whiney. And I suggest you just don't go past 60 minutes total. You'll have an uproar on your hands.
4. Go in a group. My reasons behind this are not brought on by a sense of safety and concern. It's purely selfish. If you have a group (preferably one with a few older kids - 10 years old or so), then you can stand out on the sidewalk watching the door and send your littles up with the biggers. You have a lot less walking to do and fake smiling to do. Seriously, I'm a selfish person.
Sooo, those are a few rules of thumb for next year. Hope you find these helpful! :) And now because I know that there are Grandma's and Grandpa's out there waiting anxiously, here are some pictures.

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