Halloween

Every few years, Halloween changes with kids. We remember the toddler days, holding a hand and coaxing them up the walk to say “trick or treat” while assuring them the zombie doll was just a doll. Then the kid years where they ran ahead to get to as many houses as possible, then dumping candy on the counter at home to compare hauls, and maybe trade a few. Then, last year, our daughter announced that she felt awkward trick-or-treating. She didn’t even like the candy that much. Halloween changes.

Luckily, while some things change, other things stay the same. We meet up in downtown Nevada City with my niece to wish her a happy Halloween birthday and trick or treat together. Ian appreciates trick-or-treat buddies.

This year, Anika and her friend, Jessica, dressed comfy for school. Then they transformed into zombies so they could be part of the Spooky Maze in Nevada City. We had visited local thrift stores the week before so they could distress clothing. They also practiced how to create wounds, which turned out scary realistic. They joined the Maze to spook visitors. At first they had to banish the smiles, which bubbled up even though they were fearsome zombies :)

They learned why many haunted house actors wear masks. It’s hard to stay in character when the “audience” is so close. They learned a few things and made great memories.

We visited our local favorite “haunts” like the Spooky Maze in Nevada City and the Haunted Path at the Outside Inn. Ian was really into trick-or-treating so we got to visit quite a few well-decorated houses.

I know he looks grumpy here, but he was just impatient to get back to trick or treating. He did want a quick photo with his favorite Ghostbuster ghost on the Haunted Path at the Outside Inn

At one of the thrift stores while looking for zombie clothes, we found a pair of white glasses that flashed colors. Ian wore them so we could find one another easier. They created a funky-dinosaur effect :). And he got so many compliments on them, especially after dark when the lights became more dramatic. He would come from each house smiling- “They liked my glasses!”

We met up with the zombie girls at the end of the evening. Instead of dumping out candy, the kids shared stories about the evening. Instead of swapping sugar, they swapped observations about favorite costumes. Things change. But, the same as ever, we all laughed a lot and made epic memories.

Thanks again, Nevada City, for a great party!

See you in Nevada City next year!