Every holiday or celebration is now heightened to a new level. The anticipation builds inside of me like a boiling pot on the brick of spilling over. Why? Because I’m a mother and I get to experience the joy of celebrations anew. This was Athena’s first time trick or treating for Halloween. I was able to see the wonder in her eyes as she dressed in her costume, knocked on doors, received treats, and carried her pumpkin basket. Life is more beautiful just by being near her… even if she is a witch.
I put Athena’s costume on her and said, “be a scary witch”; this was her scary witch face.Personally, I think she’s the cutest, happiest witch I’ve ever seen but I might be a little biased.
As she approached the door, she let go of my hand. She wanted to do it herself. I don’t even know how she knew what to do. It’s not like we practiced it. Yet, she went up the steps and rang the doorbell. When our neighbor opened the door, she put out her pumpkin. Darren and I stood in shock. How did she know that he was going to put something in the pumpkin? How did she even know to ring the doorbell? They may seem like simple tasks but at 19 months old, and when I still see her as an infant, it’s pretty special to watch her grow into an independent girl with a personality and inquisitive nature. (Ask me again in 15 or so years when she wants the car and my ideas of independence will most certainly be very different, but for now I’m enjoying it.)
She ran from house to house, knocking on doors and collecting treats. Although she didn’t eat any of the chocolate, she was on a high and so was I. 
Why do we have to grow up? Why can’t every day be this exciting? People have always told me about the joys of being a parent, but they forgot to tell me that one of the greatest joys of all – getting to be a kid all over again.
The question we’re all dying to know — how much candy did she get to keep? 😉
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Yeah, we only let her eat the non-salted pretzels. She’s still a little too young to have chocolate and hard candy. That’s a whole other parenting question that I struggle with daily. Do you have kids?
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No kids here (yet) but it’s a question I would struggle with if I had them!
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She’s too young for a bucket list, but it pays to have a bucket when you go trick or treating… : )
Definitely the Cutest Witch Ever!
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I don’t even think she’s too young for a bucket list. Better to start dreaming young 😉
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She’s so cute and pretty. With or without the festive , it’s hard not to give her some sweets.
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It was even more difficult not to let her eat them. We compromised. She ate non-salted pretzels and really didn’t seem to know the difference or mind at all.
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Adorable! Hate to tell you though, we’ll be asking you again in TEN years. Fifteen is very ambitious. 😉
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I’m a dreamer 😉
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And it suits you! 😉
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She is SO cute! Looks like she had an absolute blast.
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I agree VERY cute!!!
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So cute!
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She’s so sweet!
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OMG she is such a cutie pie; beautiful eyes 🙂
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Thank you. She looks just like her dad so I can’t take too much credit.
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She is certainly the cutest little witch I’ve seen! Those smiles tell it all. 🙂
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Your little witch is about the cutest one I have ever seen. I only say ‘just about’ because I had three little witches of my own once. So you see, I think nearly every mother is a little biased when it comes to their own. Would we want it any other way?
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Nope, I think it’s a survival mechanism; if she wasn’t the cutest kid in the entire world, I might kill her some days 😉
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Definitely!
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Gorgeous girl ,
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Agree that she is such a cute witch. I just love the Joy on her face ♥
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Such sweet photos!!!
In 15 (or fewer) years you will look at your daughter and wonder how and when did she become a young woman? You will catch a stolen glimpse of her or listen, really listen to her intellect or her wit and recall that sweet little 19 month old witch and wonder where the time has gone. But, at the same time you will smile because you will see the amazing woman she is becoming. Enjoy these precious moments!!! They go by in a flash!!!
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It delights me to read of your delight in being a parent! There is nothing as special – and your little witch is gorgeous! 🙂
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Thank you! I was always a happy person but I had no idea so much joy existed in the world. She has completely changed my life.
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I see the same joy in my youngest daughter enjoying her daughter who is just 6 months. It’s so lovely! 🙂
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You’re right, she totally is the cutest, happiest witch I’ve ever seen!
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It is wonderful to see, how big smiles your little daughter shows. Enjoy every second, she will grow up SO fast. Have a nice Sunday,
Irene
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Great post
http://www.fashionforlunch.wordpress.com
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Athena is adorable! Just yesterday, it seemed like I was reading about her being born and now look at her!
About the doorbell ringing — maybe she figured it out by seeing the other kids do it?
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i think one of the greatest gifts of being a parent is how much joy you get from your child experiencing joy. One of the perks of Parenthood. 🙂
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Great photos!
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Athena is beautiful! You have captured some wonderful memories here… the joy in her face is lovely! 🙂
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What a beautiful child!
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the best years of your life have arrived…and she is just precious!…brings tears to my eyes remembering my “little boys”…40 years ago…
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Awwwww. Too cute. I still cry when my babies leave.
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“People have always told me about the joys of being a parent, but they forgot to tell me that one of the greatest joys of all – getting to be a kid all over again.”
I love that line.
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Thank you! It is a wonderful experience 🙂 Do you have kids?
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No, not currently, but likely in the future.
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I hope it happens for you as soon as you are ready. 🙂
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Thank you! Your blog is inspiring in that it shows I can still have the adventures I desire and have children as well.
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She’s the sweetest, cutest witch ever.
Already Athena has been exposed to more than a most kids and I believe she’s going to keep surprising you forever. So…since she’s too young to eat all that chocolate and candy, would you consider donating some to us, your readers? 😀
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Athena was cute as a witch! Many people enjoy Halloween because they have a chance to be like a kid and dress up. It’s always a fun holiday to take pictures!
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Every picture made me giggle. You just took me on a walk down memory lane. Did you notice how her scary witch face looked a lot like your OMG parachute face??
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I really enjoyed reading this! She is soooo cute!
http://jemsbitsandbobs.wordpress.com/
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She is so pretty!
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Bernadette, could you share your blog link, and other social media, please?
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She needs no props to be bewitching!
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You are definitely not just biased! She makes an adorable witch!
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What a sweetheart! You must be excited to have a little one to collect the neighbours candy for you!
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she is adorable! glad you had fun!!
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“…one of the greatest joys of all – getting to be a kid all over again.” Absolutely. My wife and I are on the other side of it now, having teenage sons, and Halloween is our favorite family holiday. We try to make an entertaining and slightly creepy display every year, on a different theme, and love to see people’s reactions.
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Such a cutie and how funny that she knew exactly what to do.
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I love halloween and you are absolutely right that we get to release our inner child again through our own children (my son loves that his mum has a scooter and a bike and can climb trees and play dragon hunt in the forest with him!). Your daughter looked like she was having a ball and what lovely pictures to preserve the memory. She obviously has her mothers spirit and sense of adventure! Our house was chaotic and noisy on halloween night with over-hyped up son and daughter, excitable puppy and lots of trick or treaters but wouldn’t have it any other way!
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Fantastic pics!!
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Sweet girl. I wish we had Halloween in my country… Bless her, she’s not a witch , but rather an angel 🙂
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Much too pretty to be a witch, but she certainly can bewitch everyone!
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Well, pity she didn’t came this way… I had lovely hand made mi-ca-muu (swiss milk toffees) made for my kids too!!! really lovely 🙂 claudine
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So cute! She may have overheard you and Darren talking about Halloween but even at 19 months old, she may have understood the gist of it–walking up to each house and asking for candy. Kids soak up things like a sponge.
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Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! This year was my 8 year old’s first year out unsupervised. She and her friends had a strict route to follow. As a mother, it was nerve-racking. I sat by the open window while knitting tirelessy and waiting to hear her voice.
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