Trick or treat.

I don’t really love Halloween. I do enjoy getting dressed up in fun costumes with my family and watching the boys (and Olive too, as much as she can at least) walk confidently in what they have on while socializing with neighbors and checking out other fun costumes. I love the sense of community, especially how they do it in these southern neighborhoods, on Halloween night. Neighbors are all gathered in driveways, talking, sitting by a fire, handing out thoughtful treats to neighborhood kids. I think we forget how to how face to face conversations with people we aren’t good friends with, without a screen between us, but this night always feels like the opposite of  that. 

We went to my parents house for dinner before the fun began and then we all got dressed in costume to trick or treat and sit in the driveway passing out candy. It was so much fun. Also, it was super helpful that my mom decided on dinner and I didn’t have to think about it or make anything for it since my arm was a bit sore. We left their house at the end of the night and I think we all felt so filled up to overflowing with love for them, for their intentionality, their love, and their fun. They are so deeply thoughtful and we all felt it this night a little bit extra. They dress up with us, and I love the way they just jump right in even if they’re a little uncomfortable (my dad in particular) wearing a costume. They love their kids and their grandkids and it is just so evident in their actions, on this night especially.  

One thing that stands out to me from this year in particular is that Luca wanted to be Bagheera from the Jungle Book but was concerned any costume he would wear would just look like a regular black cat. He voiced this concern to my mom in casual conversation, where he also voiced how he didn’t want to be the only person dressed up as a Jungle Book character. She went home and searched and searched for a panther costume and not a cat costume. (Which, is no easy task because a panther is technically a cat!) She found one that was exactly what Luca was envisioning and then she secretly decided to dress up as the tiger from the Jungle Book so Luca wasn’t the only character from it. That decision to join him, built him up in a way I am so grateful for. It instilled confidence in him and supported him in a way that showed him, tangibly, how much his creative vision matters and how much carrying that vision out matters. The world needs what God put in Luca, and the enemy tries to steal that in the form of lack of confidence. But that night, he walked around so confident as Bagheera. He didn’t second guess or think twice about it AND he had the most fun doing it. Because of her support and love and belief in him. 

Jack’s bedtime prayer that night listed out all the things he was thankful for that they did for us to make that night special and all I could do was smile and say “amen.” Because I couldn’t agree more. Thank you Lord for such a fun night and for blessing us with a loving family. We are so grateful for all of it, and not one detail goes unnoticed by any of us. 

Ok, enough words. Now for the fun pictures! 

After we ate dinner, we got into costumes! The most anticipated moment (the boys debate what they'll be for Halloween for months!)!

Helping Cinderella get her glass slippers on, like every good fairy godmother should. 

The cutest Cinderella I have ever seen! Also, I was surprised she kept that headband and necklace on for the entire night! 

Donatello from Mutant Mayhem TMNT. Not only do the boys think hard about their costumes, but also their poses so they look most like their characters. 

Bagheera, the black panther, from The Jungle Book. 

She spotted her chariot (which just so happens to be next to a pumpkin! hah!).

Cinderella and her Prince Charming.

Jack's favorite pose was this spin move. He told me he wanted action shots where you could tell he was moving his weapon. (He made the stick with Lee because the one we had ordered came broken. Lee was excited to make it with him, and Jack, while hesitant at first about how it would turn out, loved what Lee envisioned and what they created together.)

Lee's smile here is my favorite. 

"Old school" Donnie and new Donnie. I LOVED that my dad not only wore a costume but posed! He isn't one for pictures at all but he posed because he knows that's what the boys love. After this picture he laughed at himself, and I loved seeing that fun kid in him come out a little bit. 

He even jumped in to pose with Luca! GAH! He's the best. 

Luca 100% told my mom how to pose and had inspiration pictures for her to look at so she could do it just like the movie scene. I think she nailed it! 

The way he is looking up at her says it all.

Goodness, I love my sweet family. 

Olive liked being pulled around and seeing all the people, despite her serious side eye here. She was cozy and bundled up because it was really cold. 

The one where Prince Charming and the fairy godmother get together. 

Olive and I didn't last as long as the boys, so we headed back to hand out candy with Nana and my parents' neighbor, Cindy while Lee took the boys to the other half of the neighborhood.

Our night was ending and we were tired, but so happy. 

Olive, all on her own, started cleaning! I couldn't believe it! She took her role as Cinderella very seriously! 

And just like that another year of trick or treating is in the books. We were grateful that no one was sick this year and that it didn't rain. And that Nana and Pops weren't out of town, because the boys really like getting to dress up alongside them. We left filled up to overflowing for sure.