Yesterday, I was writing a Halloween article about what to do with Halloween candy.

I started a sentence that said – although my kid's are older, they are 11, 15 and 18 – and I realized that one of my 'babies' doesn't even trick or treat anymore at all, my middle 'baby' will be going for the last time this year and my youngest is not only trick or treating, but attending 2 Halloween parties and btw, will not be trick or treating with me this year.

I had to change the sentence, it is looking like cute Halloween trick or treating stories are a thing of the past. 

GOING INCOGNITO 

I am seriously planning on dressing up incognito and going by myself if it's warm out.

Why would I do that?

Because I have always loved wandering the streets chasing after little ghosts and goblins, in the warm, dark air, with a spooky, mischievous glow and cackles and moans floating through the air, with the odd witch riding down main street :0) 

THE FIRST HALLOWEEN

I remember my son's first Halloween costume. He was 2.

I spent weeks sewing it for him.

It was a clown costume. I worked from a pattern used warm, fuzzy material from something else, possibly big, fuzzy pajamas (I was always making little clothes from big back then).

I sewed big, handmade balls on the front and made a pointed clown hat to match to keep his ears warm and little clown booties to put over his boots. 

When the time came, we painted his face.

He wasn't sure what to think.

I sure do wish I had a picture.

That costume went on to be used for about 3 more various kids in the family, and then to be unassembled to be used for footie pj's for a few more.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED

My son turned 18 this year and will probably buy a bag of candy. At least I have taught him well to share and to prefer chocolate. I can look forward to that much (I think).

I remember back to all of the fun times that we had making crafts for various holidays throughout the year. At one time I kept a running craft table (well, it didn't really run, but it was always there, ready for a creative mind to come and spread things all over the place).

But I also remember years when I wasn't so on the ball and holidays would go by without much to show for it in the way of family craft time or special focus on enjoying the time leading up to the holiday.

When my kids finally got to the age that they weren't interested in doing crafts anymore, I felt a twinge of regret, and of loss.

My youngest teeters, she says she's not but can be convinced if it's something special, which makes me feel a little better, although she is growing up much too fast these past years as well.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE MAGIC ERA? 

My point is, if you have kids who are still in the magic stage, who still love to be creative, who love the wonder of each holiday, don't waste a minute of it.

Grab onto it, get some craft supplies, get out the baking stuff.

Put aside the 'important things' and get in there and make some beautiful childhood memories with them this week.

You will always be glad that you did, but you won't even remember what was so important that you put them to the side if you don't. 

MAKE A HAUNTED HOUSE 

Fill the air with the aroma of holiday cooking and treats.

Dress up yourself this Halloween.

Enjoy it while you can.

And get lots of pictures. 

SOME HALLOWEEN CRAFT AND DECORATION IDEAS 

If you need some ideas to get your creative juices flowing and to make some spectacular Halloween decorations, here are some collections of Halloween recipes, crafts, activities and games for kids that you can use year after year.

Halloween Activities – A huge resource of educational games and activities that you can print out.
Halloween Printable Activities for Kids 

Halloween Crafts, Drawings and Printables.
Halloween Party Recipes 

Halloween Crafts for Little Kids – Fun for older kids too, they can do them together using items from around the house.
Halloween Crafts for Little Kids 

Easy Halloween Crafts  – A smorgasborg of Halloween crafts, haunted house ideas that you can use to make your own house a spooky place of haunting fun, Halloween costumes, yard decorations and recipes.
Easy Halloween Crafts