I admit, I LOVE the costumes and festivities surrounding Halloween.  It brings back a lot of happy childhood memories.  Memories I enjoy recreating for my kids.

However, I found myself not wanting to go trick or treating this year.  Not because I don't find it fun.  But because we just don't need all that candy.  I don't want it in my house.  What's the Halloween version of Scrooge?  There must be one.

For a bit, I considered passing out pencils or pretzels or something non-sweet.  Yeah, then I decided that NO, I don't really want to spend the next day scraping egg guts off my house thankyouverymuch.

Then I read this article about a local dentist paying kids $1/pound for their candy.  AND he's sending it overseas to our troops.

What a GREAT idea!  I'm SO on board.  Bring on the sweets!!!!

The kids dressed in costumes last night for different events and again today for school.  We will be trick or treating tonight in a friend's large neighborhood.  Woo, hoo!

Sarah is Pocahontas:

She sang Just Around the River Bend in a Broadway Kids performance at a senior home.  And, check out her necklace.  Yep, I made it myself.  I totally ROCK.

Max was a rock climber last night and a knight today.  Here's the rock climber picture.  His aunt was "on balay" and took him trick or treating through her office.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween, everyone!

Update on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 11:17AM by Ashlie

My kids ended up donating 6 pounds of Halloween candy!  Very proud.

If you are not local and/or missed the event last weekend, check out these great sites for info on sending care packages to our troops:

Operation Gratitude

Operation Shoebox

SupportOur Troops