Halloween Candy

Live and learn, is that some sort of motto for parents? It should be.

That's the reality around here. Case in point: Halloween candy.

The last couple of years on Halloween, we went to a neighborhood close to the OU campus, where there was always lots of trick-or-treaters and plenty of decorated houses. This year we decided to stay closer to home and trick-or-treat around our neighborhood.

Adele as Princess Tiana and Henry as our little lion man

We went for dinner to a friend's house and the kids got to visit the homes within about a 2-block span. (Side note: Henry couldn't contain himself and led the pack, running from house to house yelling "Come on guys! This way!!") On the short walk back to our house, we stopped at just a few more houses - only the most decorated ones. Overall, it was definitely not overkill.

But somehow, we ended up with even more candy than the last couple years! People in our neighborhood were very generous, giving handfuls of candy or even already-prepared goody bags.

That night, we let the kids each pick a couple pieces of candy. Henry chose candy he already knew - smarties and a sucker. Adele laid out each piece and carefully picked a couple new ones that looked most intriguing to her.

The next day we did the same - two pieces of candy each.

Then we ended up talking to some people who said that it's actually better for their teeth (and to not develop a routine of candy every day) if they eat it all right away and then are totally finished with it.

We've heard of lots of ways to deal with Halloween candy. Choose a set amount of pieces and let the kids determine the speed in which they consume it, spread out the candy they get over days or weeks, have a "Halloween fairy" (or witch?) come and collect all the candy, donate the candy for money...etc.

When I was growing up, I remember having the option of keeping the candy, or trading it in and going to the toy store to pick out a new toy. Of course, we always chose a new toy.

Well, on Sunday we decided that since we didn't have much going on, we would let the kids devour their baskets of candy to their heart's content. They both ate a great lunch and then we shared with them the "good" news. I'm not sure what we expected to happen...though we had high hopes that they would eat a few pieces excitedly and then be finished for the day.

Ha! They proved us wrong and had just the best time eating a ton of candy all day long.

Along with the consuming of candy came true expressions of excitement. Things like "Best day ever!" or "There is so much candy I just can't decide what to have next!"

David and I simply stared wide-eyed as sugar took over our kids' brains and they began bouncing off the walls (almost literally). It might have been one of the most amusing days we've had watching our kids.

Finally, toward the end of the day, Henry would open a piece of candy, take a bite, and exclaim "It's yucky." And eventually..."I don't like candy." Hurrah!

I'm not sure what we'll do next year, but it will probably be different than this year. Live and learn, right?

And as for the rest of their candy from this year...they each have about a half a basket left. We are taking a break from the mass consumption of candy. And David and I are "helping" the candy disappear quicker than they realize...