Trick-or-Treat in Texas

Trick-or-Treating in Texas is pretty different than what either of us experienced growing up.  We, (like the rest of the country I imagine) went from door to door.  You know, walk up to the actual door to knock/ring the doorbell and we never skipped houses.

So not the case in Texas.

If you hand out candy (and there are MANY who do not) you must have ALL the lights on and 90% of those homes set up camp chairs on the driveway/porch and just hang out outside all night passing out candy. No knocking necessary.

I've thought that was really kindof funny. Though its nice to not have to walk all the way up to the door and wait for someone to answer, I still find it a little odd.

But in other ways, it could also be more of a community building thing.  Many neighbors actually set up their 'stations' next to each other (maybe we would too if we actually stayed home- or knew or neighbors :/ ). The weather is great (a little on the warm side actually if you're out for long) and no need to travel back and forth from the couch to the door all night.

I met with a neighbor and actually took the girls to a few houses on our block - which was a first (Our girls took swimming lessons together and she lives just down the street). Then we headed to a friends house to hit up their neighborhood together.  I always love it when people get all decked out for holidays.  I don't so much go crazy myself but I definately enjoy the work others do.  There is one house in particular that decorates A LOT for both Halloween and Christmas.  We call it the "spooky house" every time we get the mail we walk around the block to take a peak at the decorations.  This was the first year we've gone by on Halloween, and its even better.  This gremlin blocked the sidewalk and made the kids walk between his legs. I think I actually could have convinced Rylee to do it if the other kids we were with weren't freaking out, so he moved over.  She did give him a high-five though. They also had their convertible in the driveway with a skeleton in each of the seats :)

My other favorite is a house has a pop-corn maker running and hands out pop-corn.  I love something unique and fun.  We had a great night, staying up past bed-time but who cares? we all slept in.

Rylee had chocolate for breakfast and asked to go trick-or-treating this morning- it could be a long year. :)  Kelsey was happy to be strolled around all night and enjoyed the ride.