I’ve never liked dressing up in a costume, but I must say I enjoy Halloween.

There’s something fun about children using their imaginations to pretend they are a Disney princess, a Ninja Turtle, a witch or some other character as they go door to door collecting candy. It’s kind of a weird concept when you think about it, but as a parent, it’s not only a great photo opportunity, but a chance to be with your children for something a little out of the norm.

This year, my daughter is dressing up as a Monster High character, while my son is dressing up as the Hulk. Sophie  has tried on her costume — wig and all — a few times in anticipation of the big night, and Landon has worn his mask off and on for the past few weeks in the house, letting out a few growls with it on as if he’s getting into character.

My husband, who works overnights, is taking off Halloween night from work to join in on the fun. He — unlike me — has always enjoyed dressing up for Halloween and plans out his costume at least a year in advance. He tends to buy scarier costumes, and next year he is plotting to be a creepy clown.

A few weekends ago, he and I got a babysitter and drove to the Rochester area to attend Fright at the Farm. We’ve never been to a haunted house or anything like that before together, so we thought it would be fun. We’re already planning another trip next year to a place in the Cities.

I didn’t think the Fright at the Farm was traumatizing or anything too severe, but I think it’s safe to say my husband’s arm was a little sore after we got out of there from me clinching on to him for support. If I didn’t have the comfort of having him beside me, it probably would have been even scarier for me.

It’s the unexpected actors that get me at things like this. Though the actors cannot touch you, they sure can get really close. A few were so close we could even smell their breath. That’s a little too close for comfort.

Needless to say, I liked that they had multiple areas for people to walk through, including a few barns, a bus and part of a corn maze.

The Halloween fun continued this past weekend with a party with some of our friends in Albert Lea. My friend requires everyone to dress up if they want  to come to the party, so unfortunately I had to bypass my normal comfort zone and find a costume.

I opted for an easy, clever  idea taken from my co-worker Michelle DaVeiga, who donned the costume last year at work. I was a deviled egg — wearing a headband with devil horns, a white shirt and black pants with some yellow tissue paper crinkled together and taped on the white shirt to represent the yolk.

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Send or bring in photos of you, your friends and family in your Halloween costumes by Nov. 3 to print in the Tribune. You can send them to lifestyles@albertleatribune.com, and we will run them in the paper.

 

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune.