BOO!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled installment of the Mallett's Walt Disney World Saga to bring you breaking news of super-cute costume-clad kids!!

 

Molly the Pheonix, Jack as Pre Viszla, Cameron the MooCow, and Ben the Ghostbuster.

 

 Yesterday was Halloween! 

A day the kids LOVE and parents DREAD.  Or is that just me?

 

I didn't make these, but I'm bragging about them anyway. 
Auntie Ulia is quite the gourmet cook, and spoils us rotten. We were lucky little pumpkins this year!

 

This year was challenging because Trick or Treating usually begins by 5pm in our neighborhood, but the kids don't get off the school bus until 4pm.  It was a mad rush to get everyone home, into their costumes, have a quick visit with our adorable cousin Cameron, welcome Marc home, have dinner hot, ready and brought to the neighbors' for pre-game festivities, and begin trick or treating in an orderly fashion.

 

What does a cow say Cameron?
MOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

The fact that any pictures were taken at ALL, was a near miracle. 

The fact that we ended the night with all three children accounted for was a complete miracle!

 

 

 

 

 Why is it that every year I forget to set ground rules so that my children will not run off in different directions at warp speed, causing their parents incredible anxiety? Molly will gladly walk from one house to another in an orderly fashion, and at a normal pace. Ben and Jack run screaming down the middle of the street, zigzagging from house to house, the older brother trying to elude the younger with the tactics of a well-trained secret agent

 

 

 

Marc chased the boys, while I stuck with Molly.  Before we had gone 15 houses, Marc had doubled back carrying a hysterically crying Ben, who had gotten ditched by the big boys and was heartbroken and indignant, especially since he considers himself an honorary 10 year old.

 

Meera, Sela and Molly.

Vince and GiGi

Brody and Miss Kris.
(remember the Kara Vita testimonial?  That's her!  Could she stop looking 15 already?  It's prematurely aging ME!)
 

Sela is the ying to Molly's yang.  Here she is doing the happy lollipop dance.

Our Pheonix so perfectly matched this tree!  She was so sweet to let me snap a picture between houses,

Molly, Kayden and Avery teamed up with their IDOL, Alexa, the gorgeous 17 year old from down the street.
They were in HEAVEN!

Ben finally stopped crying long enough to take care of a few neighborhood ghosts.



What a sunset!  Love the way Ms. Pheonix lights up in the distance!

Did I mention it was fr-fr-freezing???  I had to break down and buy a winter coat that morning.
One that would fit the round belly I'm sporting.

We crossed paths ONCE with Jack all night.  He tore off with a group of his buddies and one set of parents (that we trust implicitly - they're much stricter than we are!).

Jack "D", Ben's buddy from across the street.

This was the spookiest house on the block - I'm surprised Molly went up there!
Not Ben though...he ain't afraid of no ghosts!

Once the sun went down and our buckets were filled, that was pretty much it for us.

We were home by 7:30, Skyping with Nana and Papa, stuffing our faces with candy.

 

Mommy needs to remember that this year, both Molly and Ben squashed their old habit of crashing into bed happily after a candy bar or two.  This year, they stuffed their faces until they were no longer capable of speaking English, then fussed and argued and whined until they finally passed out long past bedtime. 

 

Next year, we may have to change tactics!

 

This year though, the kids would all say Halloween was a fabulous success!

 

 

**NOTE TO SELF and PARENTS EVERYWHERE**

The nice lady who sits next to me at Ben's swimming lessons told me about the "Sugar Fairy".

Every Halloween, the Sugar Fairy visits all the good boys and girls who leave their excess candy out for her to take with her.  In exhange, she leaves them a special treat!  Some years it's a movie and popcorn, other years a small toy they've been pining for.  But she leaves happiness wherever she goes, especially Moms and Dads who don't have to arm wrestle children over their candy the next day!!

 

I need to find a way to get the Sugar Fairy to come to my house!!