Death and Taxes, Not Necessarily in That Order
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 10:58PM Yesterday, we got on Skype with my parents, who had sent the kids little Halloween treat bags.
I say little, but they managed to stuff more candy and other goodies into these bags than I get into a grocery bag.
The kids took turns opening their bags (see, they look small, but they were like magical multiplying sacks), and the older two let Eliana go first.
They pretended to eat each piece of candy she took out of her bag.
She was particularly excited about the Tootsie Rolls. I didn't even know she liked Tootsie Rolls!
She had a huge pile of Kisses and small Hershey bars by the time she reached the bottom of her bag. There were also stickers, an activity pad, and some Goldfish (the cracker, not the animal).
Christian went next. He struggled to get his bag open at first. Grandma's use of the staple may rival her legendary use of tape on Christmas presents.
The Grandparents regularly send socks to the kids, and they are always crazy fun.
He put them on immediately. (Eliana had socks with pink cats on them. She also put hers on right away.)
He pulled a package of Chessmen out of his sack and said,"Yessss!"
Once he had emptied his bag, he had a pile that equalled Eliana's.
Finally, it was Michaela's turn. She pulled out her socks. Orange, of course.
Do not ask me why she put them on inside out. I have no idea. My kids are weird.
I'm sorry to say none of my pictures of Michaela turned out. Bummer. But here is what happens to the bags that my parents send to the kids.
They don't last too long.
This is the candy that Michaela had BEFORE we went to the Fall Fun Fest and trick-or-treating.
Yes, that is a gallon size Ziploc.
Christian and Eliana's look pathetic in comparison.
The reason why there is such a discrepancy is not because my parents love Michaela more, or thought she should receive more because she is the oldest. It is because she won a box of 30 candy bars from Bible study for a contest they had.
30. Candy bars.
Never fear. I have already taken a portion. We shall call it The Candy Tax. No eleven-year-old needs 30 candy bars. I'm just doing my parental duty, and saving her teeth from early and unnecessary destruction.
The kids were very excited once they got to put their costumes on today.
Commander Fox, Belle, and Hatshepsut (an Ancient Egyptian woman Pharoah)...
Eliana discovered this mirror at a dollar store. She wanted it very much. She told me once she had it that she was a real princess because look at it! It is a princess mirror. Obviously!
This blond girl went dark for the night.
So, this is Michaela at age eleven.
Which is what I dressed up as tonight...
Me, at age eleven. I'm so glad she does not look like I did. At least at this unfortunate stage.
And for those who didn't know me back then, and who said,"Nooo...You didn't look like that!"
OH. YES. I. DID.
After the Fall Fun Fest at our church, and a round of trick-or-treating in that neighborhood, we headed home, ate a late dinner, sorted candy, and hit the showers. I went to switch the laundry from earlier in the day and just about jumped out of my skin as I turned the corner at the stairs.
Maybe the clean laundry pile startled him to death.
P.S. I think tomorrow should be a day off.
Reader Comments (3)
You are Gorgeous. Just in case you haven' heard that today. And ancient Egyptian women pharoah's are the best. Along with grandparents because I want a huge bag of candy and cute socks! (Also, 30 candy bars? Your church is clearly far cooler than mine ever was - we'd win things like one candy bar. And it'd be fun sized!)
I am rolling on the floor laughing about your "costume" and then the picture to follow. I'm So Right There With Ya. The costumes are adorable. And around here? We call your Candy Tax, The Mommy Tax. hee hee
Your parents are so awesome. Do they need an adopted 42 year old grandaughter? No? Rats.
Michaela's costume is amazing! Oh, and um, yours too of course. :)