Okay, I'll be honest...I probably had more fun planning, organizing and putting together their costumes and themes than they did...but for some reason I never truly registered the concept of the day it would all end. Sure, I knew they would grow up and the family themed Trick-or-Treating would turn into the kids running around the neighborhood with their friends instead. This eventually transitioned into them going to high school parties and then finally, two are off to college with a quick call or text with their fun for the night at the very best.
Everyone said it would all go so fast and they were right.
One thing we never did, but always wanted to do was go to the "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party". Like everything else, time and life got away from us and we never made it happen. Each year I would convince myself the next year we would go, but we didn't. It got to the point when I felt the kids were simply too old altogether.
Then it hit me. As much fun as we had Trick-or-Treating when they were young, it could be so much fun now that they're older. We called our oldest two boys and told them come home for the weekend, then threw all four kids in the car.
It's been so long since we've been together. Our second son was a church camp counselor the entire summer and we barely saw him. To hear them together again with their laughter, bickering and teasing was the truest happiness my heart could hold.
Once we got to Disney, our time began by mistakenly making one of our favorite memories of the night. Our daughter pulled us into the line for the "Little Mermaid" ride since it was such a short wait, stating she knew she would ride everything her brothers wanted to so it was only fair. Little did we know, it wasn't the ride, but instead it was meeting "The Little Mermaid" herself. All three boys shook their heads whispering, "Nope." and tried to walk through, but the Disney staff was beyond wonderful and played along with it. Ariel even fiddled with our mortified youngest son's hair with her dinglehopper (fork).
The attention to detail throughout the night was spectacular. The parade was phenomenal, the decorations beautiful and don't get me started on the candy. There were actual barrels of candy and they shoveled, yes shoveled loads into your trick-or-treat bag.
It was a magical night and definitely symbolized a different chapter in life. Even though their younger days are gone, it was wonderful to see knowing they're older and forever connected. I'll always miss the days of family costumes in cool autumn nights shuffling though leaves from door to door, but walking behind them now as they laughed and carried on together with bags of candy in hand, warmed my heart with the love they are today.