Thriller Night

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, gratitude, halloween, ParentingTags:, , , ,

T enjoyed trick or treating with friends this year.

Halloween fell on a Friday and we stayed up later without worry of school or work the next day.

T dressed up as a child being abducted by an alien and I chuckled at his grandparents asking who the alien was when we sent them a photo.

Halloween is one of T’s favourite times of the year and he helped pick out the pumpkins and emptied the guts before the hubby carved them.

Two younger friends invited T to go trick or treating at their neighbourhood.

For two hours, we enjoyed walking around and I loved watching T running around excitedly from door to door with his friends to collect candy.

Some houses went all out with decoration. I just love when parents get into the groove all for the enjoyment of other children.

It was a cool autumn evening and it was awesome seeing so many families out. This is what community is all about.

The hubby stayed home to give out candy and by 7:45, we ran out of candy and he had to post an apologetic sign on our door.

As I laid on my bed later that evening, about to pass out, T walked in and gave me a hug.

He said he had a lot of fun then burst into tears, saying this was the first Halloween without our cat Lanaya, who passed away in the Spring.

I could tell he was processing a lot of emotions and it just came pouring out for him.

It felt bittersweet knowing how much fun T had. It’s not often that kids like T get invited for fun outings and so I was so happy he had this night out to enjoy himself.

This in itself was the best treat I could’ve asked for.

43 thoughts on “Thriller Night”

  4. I admire those parents who decorated Halloween scenes for their children to enjoy. I’m glad that T enjoyed the Halloween events, but I’m sorry to hear about Lanaya. I hope he gets another cat soon. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks Hazel. I always appreciate adults who do their part to make it a magical experience for kids. 😊 We have another boy cat who’s still alive. He is good enough for us now. Hope he’ll be around for a long while still. 🙏

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  5. Glad to hear T had a fun time trick or treating with his friends. Love the costume! I’m such a fan of all the Halloween decorations and love that some people go all out. Crazy to hear that you ran out of candy. We always buy way too much. And we don’t really get too many kids.

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    1. Thanks Linda. It was a fun night and the costume was a riot. And yes, it was in a way nice to have run out of candy, because it meant lots of people came out. Sounds like you three have the benefit of leftover candy to enjoy! Maybe it’ll be different next year when Halloween is on a Saturday and maybe no Jays game. 😊

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  7. “It’s not often that kids like T get invited for fun outings.” Aww… this and the fact that Lanaya is no longer around are probably too much for a kid like him to handle. 🥺 But I’m glad to know that he had a lot of fun! That costume he wore is exactly the same with what one of my team members wore in a costume party two years ago, and she won the best costume!

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    1. Thanks Bama. The costume is a lot of fun. I love watching the Internet videos of kids acting out being kidnapped by the alien. Makes for a great laugh. I can see why your colleague won the contest! 🤣

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  8. A big cheers on T’s enjoyment on Halloween, going out with friends and being part of the spooky fun! That’s the kind of thing that caused my daughters to glow with memories for a long time afterward 🍁 🙂

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  10. Love T’s costume!! 🙂 Isn’t it amazing the feelings that come pouring out when we are too tired to keep the guard up. At least that’s how it feels to me. You two are great dads for handling it all as it comes. Here’s to the fun of Halloween!

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    1. Thanks Wynne. T and Mr D were thinking this year! 🥰 And yes, the pouring out of feelings are so poignant and especially at this young tender age.

      Hope you’ve all exhausted the candies and the sugar highs weren’t too tough to handle! We’re thankfully passed most of the loot now!

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  11. What a fun costume! I’m so glad T had such a great time with his friends, collecting candy, and checking out all the neat decorations. It sounds like a day that wont soon be forgotten! 😊

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    1. Thanks Deb! Oh yes, cavities and dental bills for sure. I think Halloween is sponsored by the local dental associations. 🤣 Glad your grands had a good time out too and I’m glad you got to enjoy it with them this year!

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  13. great costume, so funny and fun! I’m so happy that he went out with friends for trick or treating, makes it even more friend and that you could share the joy with him. cool that the families got into the decorations groove and that’s great that you had so many kids at your house too! a nice note for the ones who came later, and I know you’ll be ready for the masses next year. ) what a wonderful night all around, especially for T to share it with friends and to share all of the emotion with the two of you !

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    1. Thanks Beth! Halloween falling on a Friday definitely meant more people were out and it was so fun experiencing the joy with T and with other families. We’ll definitely be ready for next year when Halloween falls on a Saturday. I bet it’ll be even busier! 😊

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  15. I love that costume! How nice his friends invited him to go with them. T has come so far Ab! I can’t believe how people here decorate as much as they do for Christmas. Times sure have changed since I was a kid. What a shame you guys ran out of candy. There were a bunch of kids at my daughter’s house too. She went through 2-3 huge bags of candy from Sam’s Club. I think she said she spent somewhere around $60 on candy. Lol

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    1. Thanks Diane! I love Halloween because it’s a time when kids and older kids and grownups can have fun playing dress up and decorate homes to scare others. It definitely seems to get bigger each year!

      I think Halloween falling on a Friday this year definitely was the reason more kids were out and why we ran out of candy. I think Halloween being on a Saturday in 2026 will mean it’s even busier! 😊

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  16. A great reminder that everyone needs friends and just wants to be accepted. I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, Ab, but the best friendships often form organically for our kids when they take part in groups or clubs where they share a common interest with other children.

    Halloween is still my favorite holiday. I was sharing a funny memory with a buddy the other day about a neighbor who messed with us kids with some annual Halloween gimmick. One year, he offered trick-or-treaters either baked or raw potatoes just to see our reactions. He was a cool guy, and we looked forward to finding out what he had planned for us each year.

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    1. Thanks Pete! Friendships are an area where I do get a little parental stress especially as T transitions to middle school next year. I can see he has good friendships but sometimes maintaining them can be a challenge. Middle school is a whole new world and I agree your tip around organic friendships, such as those formed through clubs, is one way to go. I’ll be sure to share that tip with T!

      Halloween is a fantastic holiday and probably in my top 3 for the reasons you described. It’s great when we have people in our neighborhoods who go out of their way to help form fun and foundational memories! 😊

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    1. Thanks Margie. I’m glad he had the fun night out. And we ran into other friends of his along the way so that was also fun. I can only imagine what those adult costumes were that terrified your grandson! 😂

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