November 2, 2015

This year, Halloween was a compromise of traditions and new adventures, and it worked out wonderfully. The kids carved homegrown jack o’lanterns with Papa while I made roasted pumpkin seeds.  (I have learned the trick to making really yummy seeds without the mouthful of woody bits is to soak them for 24 hours before roasting.  Honestly, it makes a world of difference!)  And Forrest did all the carving himself this year…and while I couldn’t watch, he was careful and deliberate with his knife and he made a two-sided jack o’lantern that he was so proud of!

Every year the younger kids have gone to the local Waldorf school for an Enchanted Halloween walk.  It really is a favourite activity but this year, Sunshine was ready for trick or treating.  While Huckley is still only 5, we decided to stick together as a family and go to a family Halloween party and we are so glad we did!  After some ghoulish treats and a little haunted house, the kids went through the neighbourhood.  This part of Halloween ~ the focus on collecting candy ~ makes me quite uncomfortable.  But I was prepared and the Switch Witch came in the night to sweep away all the junk food and leave a few carb-free chocolate bars that don’t affect blood sugar at all ~ just right for a child with type 1 diabetes!

In the morning, I received a few messages from people in our neighbourhood who want to support the Teal Pumpkin Project in providing non-edible treats, all in an effort to help Sunshine experience a safe and healthy Halloween.  That in itself was enough to make this Halloween an amazing holiday for our (not quite dressed) ninja, our warty witch, and our dashing pirate!