Growing up it was the man's job to take the kids trick-or-treating. Some years it was my Uncle Lars, some years my dad.
In the early Olsen years (Kaisa, Scott, and me) we wore home-made costumes. My mom was young and fresh, and creative in the pre-money family environment. In the later Olsen years (all seven of us) we wore costumes purchase from Pay less. They were one-piece plastic suits that peeled open at the seams by the end of the evening.
But during the Mid-Olsen years, caught between a very tired Mom and a tight budget, we fended for ourselves. I remember constructing wings from bent metal hangers and church tights to be a fairy, or pulling sheets off the bed for the classic ghost costume. Every year Ross would fore go the ritualistic trading of the candy and neatly organize his Halloween candy in a small briefcase instead. He was known for leaving the candy alone, the lined butterfinger bars, Charms suckers, and red twizzlers, until he needed the case for his Easter candy 6 months later. By then the hallowed treats had morphed into chalky Snickers and melted Now'n'Laters. Annelisa and I were then allowed to eat them.
Billy and I like the tradition of the mom staying home with the little ones while the dad takes the big kids out. This year he and Liam left around 6:30 for our church Trunk-or- Treat and then patrolled the swanky nearby neighborhoods for some traditional door-to-door gathering of candy. Liam quickly embraced the festivities. Everyone recognized him as Bob the Builder in his plaid long-sleeve shirt, overalls, tool belt, hard hat, and yellow boots. They returned home after 8 pm with lots and lots of candy for Billy and I too mooch off of the next few days. Awwww. We love Halloween.
