What a fantastic week it has been, well this time of year is full of excitement and fun for the kids. You have Halloween and then loads of Fireworks on Bonfire night. That being said, it can also have some scary moments for some children, such as some of those diagnosed with ASD.
I remember as a kid going to Halloween parties. We would bob for apples, play games and have loads of fun. Some of my best memories where when I was in the Cubs and Scouts as we would make a big deal out of it.
We wouldn't get dressed up in scary outfits, well unless you thought our Cubs and Scouts uniforms were, but we would have so much fun regardless. I don't ever remember anyone doing trick or treating over here back then. Certainly not where I lived anyhow.
Today, Halloween and Trick and Treading go hand in hand in the UK also. Though, before I talk about that I have to say something I heard on the radio just before the day itself. It went something like, next to Christmas, Halloween is the second most expensive time. Why? Well, if you had seen how some of the houses were dressed up, make to look like something out of a horror movie. Probably as many, if not more decorations than Christmas itself.
Then you have the cost of trick or treaters. I think, at some point in the last 30 something years since I was a kid, that someone got savvy to the US way of doing things. Knocking on doors and getting free sweets. I know, if I had thought of it back then, I would have loved free sweets.
In our house though, this year only my daughter went. The last few years I also went out with them with little Mr. He really wasn't into it though, even with the prospect of free sweets. So, this year I stayed in, answering doors to all the little monsters that arrived and gave out sweets.
The funny thing was, little Mr. kept checking the post of sweets, probably to see if any was left for him. He did have a bag or two, just so you know.
My daughter returned, all hyper. Many sweets in tow. Wife had loads of images, especially of one house that had some amazing decorations. All in all, though, I actually enjoyed it this year.We did somethings we have not in the past, such as the pumpkin picking and the kids enjoyed their time, even if little Mr. didn't go out in the end.
Then it was bonfire day. Well, I can't really say a day because it seemed to happen on both the 4th and 5th this year. Most of the fireworks and bonfires around us happened on the Saturday 4th November, maybe that was the easier night. However, we saw our fireworks on the 5th at the wonderful free firework display at Poole Quay.
That's one of the great things about living in Poole, or nearby. The end of the year is full of free fretwork displays. Throughout the 6 week summer holidays, every Thursday night they have a display. Then it stops, apart from on the 5th November.
However, I have to say that not all children (and some adults) feel comfortable when fireworks are going off. We are quite lucky really, with little Mr. Load noises don't worry or scare him. Yes, he turns quickly to look but doesn't scream, shout, cry or anything else other than wonder what it was and looks at the fascinating lights produced.
As I say, we are lucky like that. I know many who do have some problem with noise, though if he did then we would be using ear defenders to try and at least give him the opportunity to watch the wonder of fireworks.
All in all, though, we had a fantastic week with both these wonderful days. With only 7, or so, weeks left until Christmas now - that's on our list, at least my list for holiday. Our daughters birthday is before then though, end of November, so we have another special day before Christmas. Its all go in our house.
So, I hope you all had a fantastic Halloween and Bonfire. I hope your kids enjoyed it, or at least some aspects of it. If you would like to share with us what you did, then please do. Leave us a comment below.