Halloween Trick-or-Treating, Part 2

Now it is finally time for Part 2 of Trick-or-Treating… a few months later. I spent a lot of time working on videos recently and even though these pictures were all already edited, they kind of fell by the wayside but of course, I did not forget, so without further ado, here they are.

If you’ve seen Part 1 of Trick-or-Treating for 2021 you’ll know that it was a gorgeous evening, we went out early for once, and got back in record time. We caught the most amazing sunset which made for a ton of spectacular images that I just could not choose between, so I’ve uploaded them all!

Overall it was just such a magical and happy Halloween and I am really glad that after the pandemic stealing last year from us, we were able to go out as a family this year. It was sad that Arin didn’t come, but at least he got to go out later to the exact same spot so I know he had a fun evening too.

Next year I may drag Arin out by his hair so he can enjoy it with us, since his protestations that no other teenagers were out was absolutely wrong… the entire town was out, and early! He will have no excuse, at least if we are still here on Long Island, anyway.

I still can’t believe that Alistair got tired so early on and was ready to go home, since the kids love candy so much I thought they’d want to get as much as possible – and stay out as long as possible!

Even Ariana was ready to go by the time it finally got dark, even though it was still early! We assumed Arthas would be the one to get exhausted, after all he is tiny with little feet… but he walked the entire time and showed no signs of wanting to stop, he really is a trooper!

I was also really impressed by the neighborhood because it seems like the whole town, and maybe some of the surrounding community, were out and having a festive good time. People were just milling around the streets like it was a faire, and lots of people were having open parties in their yards or driveways.

It definitely felt like old-fashioned wholesome 1950s vibes, the way the whole community was having a good time together, celebrating an old tradition in good style and everyone had immaculate lawns and nicely manicured houses… it felt a lot like Pleasantville but in a good way.

Ariana had a ton of fun in her fairy costume, but the wig did not last the whole time. It really was a bit wonky after we had already done the trunk or treating, where it looked amazing and stayed on the entire time, but tonight it kept slipping off so finally she put it in the treat bag and was much happier.

The sunset seemed to last for ages and got even more beautiful as we walked on, which was really hard to believe because it started out incredible. Every image it seems that the background is just more spectacular than before.

I didn’t mind of course when everyone wanted to stop for a few moments, it gave me time to get more shots of the beautiful evening! I could have taken a million photos, and I guess it seems like I did.

We did take a few ‘breaks’ but only for a moment or so, the kids ‘passed out’ on the grass once or twice but other than that they were walking around the whole time.

It was still so bright and beautiful out that it felt like we were having a picnic when we stopped on a random lawn here or there. Don’t worry, we weren’t the only ones, every where you looked there were groups of kids or families taking a seat on a lawn as they strolled through the neighborhood.

Tookie did take a few more breaks and skipped a few of the houses that Ariana went to, but Arthas pretty much went to almost every house she did! Wherever Dada led, he followed.

One block party we saw had some pretty cool decorating, including this hugely flaming pumpkin! Reminds me of Sleepy Hollow, and it made for a heck of a photo but I wouldn’t want a poor kid getting too close.

I guess having the kids keep a firm early bedtime between 6 and 7 has really paid off this year, because they were just ready to go home and brush their teeth and get into bed! They didn’t even sort out their spoils of war (all the candy) when we got home like I used to as a kid, they just left their bags and hopped into bed!

Once the sunset began to fade a lot the kids were pretty much ready to leave, but of course we had to circle back to the truck and ended up going past the coolest houses. We also passed the teenagers who were spraying everything with shaving cream, especially each other!

Some of the shaving cream art was apparently directed at houses that were empty and therefore not distributing candy to the kids, these phalluses were to be found indicating teenage displeasure at any such property.

Even though the neighborhood was very family-friendly and couldn’t be safer, I guess it can get pretty spooky after dark when you’re a little kid, but there was only really a house or two we visited after dark and they were certainly the ‘spookiest’ of the night – with tons of decorations!

I love how some people just go absolutely all out for holidays, it really makes it special and magical for the kids, and grown-ups like me who still get excited by Halloween night!

Once we move I hope we can go all out for the holidays and decorate like crazy for Halloween and Christmas, Arin already has tons of plans for what he wants to do to make our house as festive as possible… of course being in a neighborhood would help!

As a kid I lived in a house no one came to on Halloween night, so decorating wasn’t necessary, and now we also live on a main road set very far back, so while we could decorate, no kids would come trick or treating. Though from the road we could be a nice showcase!

I’m sure it costs a pretty penny to keep all this decor going, but it is only one night a year and you’re only young once, might as well make the most out of it and bring joy to your community at the same time!

Even thought this haunted house was pretty spooky, Ariana was not afraid at all! She even ran up and hugged the dragon and tried to fight a zombie statue. Arthas might have been a little hesitant, but he had Dada there holding his hand the whole time and he was just on a mission to get another piece of candy.

The hardest part was keeping the kids off the blow up decorations, and keep them from breaking something! They want to touch and climb on everything, of course, like Ariana trying to sit on the witches lap!

The truck was only a few steps away, so Arthas got a ride on Dada’s shoulders for the last little stretch, and the sky was almost fully dark but not quite by the time we got back to the truck and drove home.

There were some cool cars out on display, which I assume are their owners pride and joy. They weren’t really Halloween looking, but they were interesting.

I think Ariana may have ran off to one last trick or treat house just before we got back to the truck, everyone else was not nearly motivated enough.

After we got home, Arin was still figuring out his plans so it wasn’t until the kids were already asleep that I drove Arin back to the exact same spot we had parked in before and dropped him off with his group of friends, another roving band of teenagers, to go spray shaving cream and get up to whatever mischief local teens do.

That makes it the end of our Halloween 2021 Night, and a great night it was! Can’t wait to see what next year has in store.

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