Learning

I always thought I loved Halloween....

then I had children.

You'd think I'd like it more, but I didn't

and you want to know why?

Because I would make myself crazy (and everyone else) trying to MAKE my kids have fun.

(you know that saying, Momma aint happy, aint nobody happy....it's SOOOOO true!)

I thought if I made them look cute and wear great costumes and drag them to the right houses (to get great candy because it's for them...right) and, and, and....then they would love me more and think I'm a great mom and be SO happy...........

WRONG!

I was a crazy lady! Yelling at them to stand still so I could do their hair or makeup or whatever. And they always seemed to hate the costume because it was itchy, uncomfortable, not what they want. I was psycho!

Then after I forced them to do want I thought would make them happy, I would force them to smile for the camera and again stand still.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I would always try to get (okay....force) my hubby to dress up or decorate the back of the truck...let's say that would never go off well.

I'VE CHANGED! (Well, for now.)

I let my girls do whatever they wanted. If they asked for makeup or for their hair to be done I would do it, but if they didn't....no big deal! I didn't even take the camera to the trunk or treat. And guess what....we all had a great time. All of us. My girls, Julius, and...

ME.

I really hope I remember this for the next holiday when I'm going crazy and trying to force people to do things I want...which I'm sure will.

(I need to save forcing for the things that I really need to enforce.)

Here's a pic of Lucy at school. They got to dress up in the morning and have a parade. I did take pics here, but there was no forcing going on at all.