Trick or Treat Mania

All kids love Halloween. That's a given. Costumes, candy, and staying up past bedtime. What's not to love?

Lauren, however, doesn't just love Halloween. No, she really loves it. To infinity and beyond.

Since her first Halloween, when she was just a bundle of chub, she's embraced the occasion with nothing but pure vigor.



Now, 4 Halloweens later, I'll admit that it's difficult for us not to get caught up in her adoration of the holiday. So much so that this year, Mama and Daddy wanted in on it, so we too decided to dress the part.



We all got a little carried away and kinda acted it too.





As has been our tradition for the past 3 years, Kristen joined us for trick or treating, and was promptly anointed by the Barbie Diamond Castle Princess (aka Lauren) with a tiara for the festivities.





We set off down the street, in full saunter mode.



To best friend Faith's house, for oohing and aahing over each other's outfits, and to strike some fierce poses.







Side by side, the two partners in crime lead us to our next destination, friend Karina's house.



Where, just like last year, the troops rallied for a staged shot for the memory books.



This year we added a new trick or treater.


[for the life of me, I can't remember his name, so for now, he's just "Neighbor Bee Dog"]

The search for all things sugary and spooky then began in earnest, at a dead sprint no less.



I don't know why, but it pleases me to no end how children feel the need to run at breakneck speed not just between houses, but up to the doors and back to the sidewalk, where they proudly show off their take to the waiting pack of parents.



Where is Lauren, you're wondering?


There's our girl.

Several culdesacs in, we finally made it to our house, Lauren eagerly leading the gang up the driveway.



To the front door.



Where Daddy Skeleton Head gave them a fright.




[The rest of his costume, being somewhat small, didn't make it through the night, as it just didn't seem right for a skeleton to have a high pitched voice]

Suffice it to say it was another immensely successful Halloween experience in the neighborhood (especially to the under 4-foot-tall set). This morning Lauren announced how sad she was that it was over and is already asking how much longer we have to wait until it's here again.



Not soon enough, our fearless princess.