The kids and I are back from a fun filled night! It's chilly and just downright cold when the sun goes down right now, so figuring ways to bundle but still see costumes was a challenge this year. They each had a couple or so layers, hats, gloves, and I brought coats for O and L.

The traditional "just starting out" photo on the front steps...

Our first stop two doors down, they go all out every year...

This is from the same yard, but Liam wouldn't go through the house for anything...

Liam was so cute! He had more energy than any of us and quickly got the idea of going to houses that had lights on. As soon as he spotted the next one he'd scream, "Found it mom!" and race to get there. I think he was a little in awe that strangers would hand him free candy for saying "Trick or Treat." Too cute! Course, you have to have the ever popular meltdown at some point with that much energy! :)

But it was quickly over! The kids love Halloween for all the "regular" reasons and because Halloween is the one night of the year where I let them eat candy for dinner! That's right! I figure why not, it's ONE night and I don't give them much candy otherwise. When Halloween is on a school night we barely have time to get costumes on to go out, let alone eat dinner, so I started this candy-for-dinner tradition a few years ago because of that. I just let them eat as we go and they think I'm cool, it's a win-win! :)

Our last house of the night was across the street from our house...

There were fake and real people on the front steps and it was hard to tell which was which, plus lots going on in the yard as well. Liam wanted NOTHING to do with it and clung to me. :) But Braeden and Olivia went up, I give them credit!

Then we went home and sorted the candy. I dump it all out on our dining table and they take turns picking one item to go back into their Halloween bags. That way they all get things they love. After their buckets were almost full we put the rest in a community bucket up in a cabinet, still full from summer parade candy, and save it to use from time to time.

Liam swore he wanted a Warhead, I told him it was sour! This was after he puckered and then spit it out... see the purple candy on the table??? :)

Of course not to be outdone, Braeden had to eat a Warhead, keep a smiley face with no pucker, and claim it's so sweet and he loves it! Stinker!

They had a great night!!!