Booing

Last night our family engaged in a tradition we do each October. We went booing. For those of you who are new to this concept: Booing involves creating baskets of goodies, trinkets, a booing poem (found on multiple Halloween websites) and a ghost picture. The children get to choose a family each to Boo. This year Sydney chose two. We load the car (we call our Expedition "Ella") with the overflowing baskets and overexcited children and procede to "drop" the goodies. We left last night about 8:00. This is early enough not to disturb bedtimes but dark enough hopefully not to get caught. So off we go. The first house was Tyler's friend. Koby and Tyler placed the package, rang the doorbell and ran. They hid behind a parked car. They had to knock a second time but reaped the reward. The friend and her mother were a hoot! They laughed and shouted thanks into the dark in case someone was listening- and we were! Their joy made us all laugh and get excited to do more. Off to the second house; Sydney's friend. Sydney and Tyler placed the package, rang the doorbell and ran. They hid behing a hedge. They waited. No one came. Sydney went around the corner and then bolted back to the hedge nearly hurdling it. Out wanders the dad (a policeman). He heads straight to the hedge to expose Sydney and Tyler. Poor Sydney--caught! Off to the third house; Koby and Cayden's friends. All the kids went to place the package, ring the doorbell and run. Mike and I watched from the car as the dad and older brother gathered the treats and looked around a bit. Success. On to the last home; Sydney's other friend. Again all the children went. They placed the package, knocked on the door and ran. They hid behind a van. They waited. No one came. Sydney tried again. And a few minuteds later tried yet again. After the third try and told them to come. Sydney walked back up to the door and her friend opens it right up. Sydney got caught completely red handed. All the kids ran back to the car as Sydney's friend waved and yelled thanks. Sydney was so bummed that she failed two out of two. The rest of us laughed the entire way home. We even told her she could practice on our house a few times to prepare for next year. She wasn't too amused. We love our yearly Boos. And, why did I choose to share this with all of you? Is it because I want to inspire you to get out and give to your neighbors? No. Is it to motivate you to have family memories, fun and traditions? No. It's so that in the future I can go back, read this and remember what a lousy Booer Sydney is and how much fun we had laughing at her expense! What a noble mom am I!