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in Blog on October 29, 2021 by Katherine DeVries

The Triumph Of A Spooky Season

By Katherine DeVries | @thepaperdart

For most of my life, Halloween has been one of my absolute favorite holidays. I even loved it when I was teaching middle school, which, if you’ve ever had to teach grammar to 35 sugared-up 12-year-olds in inflatable dinosaur costumes, you might understand to be quite an impressive feat.

And as this most festive time of the year fast approaches, I can’t help but reflect on last year’s first pandemic Halloween, and the ways in which it served as a testament to the relentlessly joy-inducing power of a spooky season. It also serves as a reminder that light and levity (or a good case of the screamies) can be found even in the darkest of times. 

In the fall of 2020, I think I was far from the only Halloween-loving adult who was really craving some costumes, candy, and a more controlled kind of terror in my life. However, by late September, my already pandemic-weary heart was forced to accept that any semblance of a “normal” Halloween was likely impossible. Parades were cancelled, fairs were postponed, and haunted houses everywhere shut their creaky doors to the world. 

But when the rumors of cancelled trick-or-treating started floating around, my neighbors put their collective foot down. I think that many of us recognized just how few opportunities children get to consume an entire pillowcase full of snickers bars in a single night, and we were determined to keep this one sacred and safe.

So, my neighborhood banded together and showed up for the kids (and, if I’m being honest, for us Halloween-loving adults, as well). 

At the beginning of October, what my family had come to affectionately refer to as our daily “prison walks” around the neighborhood were suddenly (and very much to our delight) transformed by a deluge of spooky decorations unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was as if all of the neighbors had been waiting six months for a Covid-safe reason to leave their homes and spend entire afternoons on their front lawns. And if that opportunity had to involve hanging life-sized spiders from their garage roofs, so be it. 

Throughout the month, I spoke to many of my neighbors (or, more accurately, screamed from a safe distance) about their projects and was delighted to find that so many of them had turned some pretty unhappy situations into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really lean in to Halloween. 

The guy down the street who got furloughed from his pilot job? He built a socially distanced corn maze in his front yard. The twins who got sent home from college when their campus went remote? They decorated their dad’s van like Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine. The retired teacher with the chronic health conditions who no one had seen in months? She collected POUNDS of trash from the beach and used it to construct an enormous (and obviously haunted) sunken ship in her garden bed. 

For weeks, the daily jaunts we had grown so tired of suddenly became the highlight of our morning (and afternoon, and evening). We were shocked, impressed, and oftentimes scared silly by the veritable Halloweentown that had been constructed in our own backyard. In fact, almost a year later, my young daughter STILL talks about the sensor-operated robotic “spooky girls” my teenage neighbor made out of a Bluetooth speaker, two mannequins on wheels, and some dresses that were oddly reminiscent of a nightgown I, myself, owned in childhood. 

But as much fun as the preparations were, they paled in comparison to the main event. On the night of Halloween, bridge tables were erected at the ends of driveways, candy was laid out in socially distanced fashion, and children and adults alike were encouraged to wear masks (which ended up not being that big of a deal, considering so many of us were planning on going as a Power Ranger, or Spider Man, or the Creature From The Black Lagoon). 

And, to my utmost delight, the occupants of many a two-story home or apartment used everything from pool noodles to PVC pipe to an inflatable slip-n-slide, to construct elaborate candy chutes that launched Starbursts, Twizzlers, Skittles (and the occasional clementine) straight into the open arms of the children waiting on the sidewalk below.  

This year, as we approach another sacred Halloween season, and the pandemic we all hoped would be over by now continues on, I am buoyed by the knowledge that we’ve at least figured some things out: 

This year, we have better testing, and vaccines, and we know how to install elaborate pulley systems on our roofs for the purpose of making inflatable severed heads dance just out of reach of groups of squealing children. 

This year, we have emergency childcare plans, and more realistic expectations for the school year, and a catapult made of plastic skeleton bones for launching marshmallows across the street.

This year, we have fear and uncertainty, but we also have perspective, and the knowledge that joy can still flourish, even in the scariest of times (and yes, I’m referring to both the virus and the ghosts). 

This Halloween, my daughter, who has really doubled down on her princess obsession, will be dressing as Snow White. My son, for reasons unknown, has decided to go as Donald Duck. And my husband, myself, and the baby, in a form of subservience characteristic of many parents and infants at this time of year, will be going as Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto. 

And much like last year, we didn’t wait around to get started. The princess costume was delivered at the beginning of September, and Donald Duck arrived a few days later. The spiderwebs were ordered in August, and the orange twinkle lights came out of hibernation before the kids even went back to school. And, much like last year, the desire to escape to the world of our imaginations is strong, but so is the desire to bring joy, laughter, and a slightly scary surprise or two into the lives of our kids, and our neighbors.  

The world is definitely different, and, in a lot of ways, worse, than it was in 2019, but my community’s effort to save Halloween is just one of the millions of ways we have showed up for one another over the past two years. 

And the joy and excitement on my children’s faces as they practice using their dinosaur claw grabbers to snatch candy out of our inflatable swimming pool is one example of the many magic moments we’ll continue to have together, despite the harsh realities going on around us. 

So, this Halloween, I encourage you to resist the urge to wallow in the what-could-have-beens of it all, and make the best of what you have–because even in the scariest and most uncertain of times, a motion-activated skeleton by the front door, or a severed rubber arm in the mulch pit, or a king-sized Twix bar lowered from a rooftop on a fishing pole is sure to make you smile. 

Katherine DeVries | @thepaperdart

Katherine is a stay-at-home-mom to three kids. She and her husband are originally from the Midwest but now reside in sunny, Southern California. Before taking time off last year, she spent 10 years teaching middle school English in public and charter schools throughout the Los Angeles area. She has a passion for literature (of both the children and adult varieties) which she shares on her personal blog, The Paper Dart.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: holidays & celebrations

About Katherine DeVries

Katherine is a stay-at-home-mom to three kids. She and her husband are originally from the Midwest but now reside in sunny, Southern California. Before taking time off last year, she spent 10 years teaching middle school English in public and charter schools throughout the Los Angeles area. She has a passion for literature (of both the children and adult varieties) which she shares on her personal blog, The Paper Dart.

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This recent picture of Eric and I adventuring in t This recent picture of Eric and I adventuring in the snow, well into our third year of dating, captures so much. 

But there's a lot it doesn't tell you, too. 

It doesn't tell you about the heartbreaking experience of watching my former marriage dissolve.

It doesn't tell you about the confusion and loneliness in the aftermath of my divorce six+ years ago.

It doesn't tell you about the time that, while driving home in the dark on a snowy evening, I reflected on the fact that nobody was expecting me to check in with them that night - that if I skidded into a ditch nobody would think to look for me for days.

It doesn't tell you about the twenty-five - yes, TWENTY-FIVE - first dates I went on prior to meeting Eric (the vast majority of those never turned into a second date.)

It doesn't tell you about the disappointments and doubts and tears leading up to finding my person.

And...

It also doesn't tell you about how much I (grudgingly) grew during that period of singleness. 

The strength and resourcefulness I discovered through having the space to run a household on my own and determine my own path in life. 

The peacefulness of a home run under my own steam, its rhythms based on my own values and priorities. 

The joy (and necessity) of getting back in touch with myself.

If you’re single and looking, I really do hope you find your person soon. I am so grateful for having found mine, and I know how hard it is to hear "your time will come, too" when you see no evidence of that on the horizon. (Especially going into February, right?)

But while you're waiting, there's another person (you) who deserves your attention...

and hard as it may be to see when you’re in the thick of doubt and disappointment…

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Looking for unique classroom valentines *and* a gr Looking for unique classroom valentines *and* a great deal? We love everything about @minted, from the high-quality paper and printing, to the ability to buy unique designs, freshly sourced from a community of independent artists. And right now, Minted has great deals on all things Valentine's Day!

(Pssst: they even have a Disney collection!)

Click this image at the link in our bio to get:
🎒 20% off Valentine photo cards, & classroom Valentines
🎁 20% off photo & stationery gifts on orders $250+
💕 15% off ALL orders with code BEMINE23.
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Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

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Happy Saturday! Been meaning to check out a deal y Happy Saturday! Been meaning to check out a deal you heard on our podcast? You're in luck because here's our sponsor roundup for January. Once a month, we use this space to thank our partners and remind you of their special offers. For our special promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight or search the brand name on our website. And when you do check out our sponsors + use our links and codes, it helps support our show! We also collect ALL our active promo codes in our email newsletter - which is full of our latest episodes and blog posts, personal updates, community news, and more. Tap on this image at the link in our bio to subscribe today.

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And welcome back . . . 
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Would love to hear what you're celebrating about your older kids! Everything from learning a new skill to blossoming independence - leave us a comment! 

PS - Listen to the episode in your favorite podcast app, or by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

#parenting #parentingbigkids #parentingteens #parentingtweens #bigkidmilestone #teenagers #tweens #momoftweens #momofteens #momofteenagers
Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-d Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-digits, you find yourself staring a different milestone right in the (puffy) face:

It's been a decade since I was pregnant for the last time. 

This photo was taken the morning of my scheduled c-section, just a few hours before we'd meet our third and last babe. It's hard to remember, but I'm SURE I was ready to be done. Constant braxton-hicks, heartburn I hadn't experienced with the other two, food aversions that lasted the whole 39w5d, and physical exhaustion trying to keep up with a 2- and 4-year old: all part of an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, but still nobody's idea of easy.

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New episode! Big black trash bag energy is in ful New episode!

Big black trash bag energy is in full effect over here! In this episode Sarah is joined by contributor @cafedumartin for a conversation about how, why and what we are getting rid of this January. We talk strategic home resets, major junk-hauling, and tips for ongoing clutter maintenance. And while on the surface this episode is about physical stuff, we also acknowledge the emotional complexity that surrounds getting rid of stuff.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
This recent picture of Eric and I adventuring in t This recent picture of Eric and I adventuring in the snow, well into our third year of dating, captures so much. 

But there's a lot it doesn't tell you, too. 

It doesn't tell you about the heartbreaking experience of watching my former marriage dissolve.

It doesn't tell you about the confusion and loneliness in the aftermath of my divorce six+ years ago.

It doesn't tell you about the time that, while driving home in the dark on a snowy evening, I reflected on the fact that nobody was expecting me to check in with them that night - that if I skidded into a ditch nobody would think to look for me for days.

It doesn't tell you about the twenty-five - yes, TWENTY-FIVE - first dates I went on prior to meeting Eric (the vast majority of those never turned into a second date.)

It doesn't tell you about the disappointments and doubts and tears leading up to finding my person.

And...

It also doesn't tell you about how much I (grudgingly) grew during that period of singleness. 

The strength and resourcefulness I discovered through having the space to run a household on my own and determine my own path in life. 

The peacefulness of a home run under my own steam, its rhythms based on my own values and priorities. 

The joy (and necessity) of getting back in touch with myself.

If you’re single and looking, I really do hope you find your person soon. I am so grateful for having found mine, and I know how hard it is to hear "your time will come, too" when you see no evidence of that on the horizon. (Especially going into February, right?)

But while you're waiting, there's another person (you) who deserves your attention...

and hard as it may be to see when you’re in the thick of doubt and disappointment…

that person is enough.
Looking for unique classroom valentines *and* a gr Looking for unique classroom valentines *and* a great deal? We love everything about @minted, from the high-quality paper and printing, to the ability to buy unique designs, freshly sourced from a community of independent artists. And right now, Minted has great deals on all things Valentine's Day!

(Pssst: they even have a Disney collection!)

Click this image at the link in our bio to get:
🎒 20% off Valentine photo cards, & classroom Valentines
🎁 20% off photo & stationery gifts on orders $250+
💕 15% off ALL orders with code BEMINE23.
🗓️ Sale ends Monday 1/30!

The Mom Hour is part of Minted's affiliate program, which means if you shop our links we'll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Here’s your January reminder to save shoeboxes f Here’s your January reminder to save shoeboxes for February and March classroom projects! Valentine boxes and leprechaun traps are around the corner, and shoe boxes are so much harder to come by these days. Consider this a friendly head’s up from a mom who’s been there.

Want more help and tips, plus reassurance that you’re doing a great job? (You are.) Search for The Mom Hour in your favorite podcast app and hit subscribe!

#kindergarten #firstgrade #valentinebox #leprechauntrap #shoeboxcraft #roomparent #roommom #classroomvalentines #parenting #momlife #parentingtip #tipsformoms
Looking to implement daily "quiet time" for presch Looking to implement daily "quiet time" for preschoolers? Even for kids who want to GO GO GO all day long, having a built-in pause in the day can help develop independent play skills, encourage rest, and - of course - give caregivers a chance to reset as well.

Since this week's podcast episode is all about kids and alone time, we thought we'd revisit this resource on the blog by Sandy Hsu:

👉 How To Encourage Independence In Preschoolers With A “Quiet Time” Routine. 👈 

Sandy (@hopefulsmiles) give tips for implementing a successful quiet time routine AND rounds up products and activities that help make independent play more likely - even in young preschoolers. Check it out by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

#quiettime #parentingtoddlers #parentingpreschoolers #momoflittles #stayathomemom #stayathomeparent #activitiesforpreschoolers #activitiesfortoddlers #threeyearolds #fouryearolds #fiveyearolds #momlife #sahm #sahmlife
New episode! Does solitude come naturally to your New episode!

Does solitude come naturally to your kids, or are moments of solo play far and few between? Meagan and Sarah read some research recently that challenged us to think about the importance of alone time, and whether our kids get enough. In this episode, we dive into our own childhood memories, how our children embrace (or run from) solitude, and how challenging it is to find that just-right balance. Join us! 

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
New episode! With all the day-to-day planning requ New episode! With all the day-to-day planning required to run a household, it's easy to put longterm planning on the back burner. Today Meagan and Sarah share lessons we've learned (or are still learning) that help us look ahead at a whole year, quarter, or month at a time. From knowing ourselves and our seasonal rhythms to figuring out where they keep next year's school calendar, we've picked up a few things over the years, and we're ready to dive in for 2023. Join us! 

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Happy Saturday! Been meaning to check out a deal y Happy Saturday! Been meaning to check out a deal you heard on our podcast? You're in luck because here's our sponsor roundup for January. Once a month, we use this space to thank our partners and remind you of their special offers. For our special promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight or search the brand name on our website. And when you do check out our sponsors + use our links and codes, it helps support our show! We also collect ALL our active promo codes in our email newsletter - which is full of our latest episodes and blog posts, personal updates, community news, and more. Tap on this image at the link in our bio to subscribe today.

Shoutout to our NEW sponsors:
🍳 @caraway_home (10% off gorgeous, non-toxic cookware!)
💪 @futurefitapp (risk-free trial of 1-on-1 personal training!)
🔪 @prepdish (2 weeks free of healthy, prep-ahead meal plans!)
🎨 @minted (design marketplace with art, bags, gifts & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (deals on the easiest photo books ever!)
😍 @fabletics (2 stylish workout bottoms for $24!)

And welcome back . . . 
⭐️ @stitchfix ($20 off your 1st purchase!)
⭐️ @theessentialcalendar (10% off full-season calendars!)
⭐️ @hiyahealth (50% off 1st order!)
⭐️ @kiwico_inc (50% off your 1st mo!)
⭐️ @athleticgreens (1yr of Vit.D + 5 travel packs!)
⭐️ @vionicshoes (free shipping on cute, comfy shoes!)
Braces on, braces off. First phones, driver's ed, Braces on, braces off. First phones, driver's ed, high school registration. As we discussed in this week's episode, we still get all the feels when older kids meet cultural or developmental milestones - even if they cringe when we celebrate and share.

Would love to hear what you're celebrating about your older kids! Everything from learning a new skill to blossoming independence - leave us a comment! 

PS - Listen to the episode in your favorite podcast app, or by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

#parenting #parentingbigkids #parentingteens #parentingtweens #bigkidmilestone #teenagers #tweens #momoftweens #momofteens #momofteenagers
Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-d Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-digits, you find yourself staring a different milestone right in the (puffy) face:

It's been a decade since I was pregnant for the last time. 

This photo was taken the morning of my scheduled c-section, just a few hours before we'd meet our third and last babe. It's hard to remember, but I'm SURE I was ready to be done. Constant braxton-hicks, heartburn I hadn't experienced with the other two, food aversions that lasted the whole 39w5d, and physical exhaustion trying to keep up with a 2- and 4-year old: all part of an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, but still nobody's idea of easy.

I don't miss it - being pregnant. Grateful to have had the experience, absolutely. But I've never really pined for another go-around, at least not seriously. Still, a whole decade removed feels as significant a milestone to me as does the notion that that double-dimpled babe will blow out ten candles this weekend.

Time, like, whoa. 

-Sarah

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