"I Hate To See October Go"

I have ambitious plans today to take the giant spider off my front porch, and I am referring to a decoration... not my housekeeping skills.  Is it just me, or is it November already?  The end of October always makes me a tiny bit sad; it might be my favorite month.  I think Barry Manilow wrote a song about the end of October.  Granny may have to add that to her playlist. 
All things Fall make me happy... Changing leaves, college football games, clothes that cover all the stuff, and the (sometimes) cooler weather. Why does the weather never seem to cooperate on Easter or Halloween?  I have fond memories of either shivering in a too-thin costume or pouring sweat in something with fur. 

As usual, Halloween was big fun this year.  The boy hung out with his friends, and I passed out candy to miniature princesses, ninjas, and one rocket ship.  I may have become "that lady" who dresses up the cat and the dog.

 

I don't know why our cat missed the memo on the Star Wars costume theme this year.  Maybe Obi Wan and Leia picked up a space witch on the way back from Endor.

Our dog was a big help giving out candy to all the kids.  I call her my "Trick-or-Treater Greeter,"  and she was the life of the party.



 

In talking with a few mom friends of mine this week, we all agreed we need a way to freeze time.  To go back (for just a minute) to the days when our kids were the sweaty toddlers in the fur costumes.  To go back to the time when we could eat all the candy from their little plastic pumpkins and they were clueless.
Last week, the boy accused me of not wanting him to grow up.  Telling him he was wrong was fun, but it gave me the chance to explain the truth.  I told him I am loving having a 16 year old, just as much as I loved having a 6 year old.  Every stage and every age has been something to treasure.  (Except for all that no sleeping nonsense as a baby.)  I told him I am not sad he's growing up... I'm sentimental.  I think there is a difference. My job as a mom is making sure he does grow up, and I want to enjoy every step.  Then I told him to bring his mama some candy.

If anyone is worried about me, don't be.  The only things I love more than Halloween and Fall are the holidays.  I am already trying to decide when I can put up the tree.