I heard the maniacal laugh from across the store and saw the toy chainsaw lifted high above the rows of costumes.
“Oh no!” I thought and began to make my way over.
“Declan! Wait!”
Before I could reach him, I saw the masked figure tear off across the store to chase down another little boy with the chainsaw humming away.
I came around the corner and lifted my arm to stop him, then stopped.
“That’s not Declan,” I thought looking at pants and shoes unfamiliar to me and retreated to the mask and weapon area Declan had been playing.
With the weather changing Declan and I have taken our free playtime to his new favorite Halloween store.
Having gone a few times already in the past week, I seriously fought the urge to bring a folding chair to sit in while he played.
The Friday the 13th in September ignited the spooky spark in Declan causing his restrictive interests to take a sharp turn to Horrorville.
He’s dropped his Spiderman costume for all things Freddy, Jason, Chucky, Pennywise, Michael or Ghostface. Movies he’s never seen before but has learned about through You Tube commentary.
His artwork of these favorite characters is on display in our house.
And as much time as he spends playing with all the Halloween gear, he spends deciding on which character he will actually be for Halloween.
With our many trips to the Halloween Playground I’ve realized I am not the only parent bringing my child to the store for fun.
Declan finds the other children there to play and they find delight in trying to scare each other with masks and chainsaws as we parents watch from the side of the store (wishing for our folding chairs).
Playing with these kids is really great for Declan. Right now, Declan wants to play horror and ONLY horror. Do you know how well this translates on a second-grade playground? I’m not really sure, but if my experience with him on the sidelines of sporting events is any indicator – not so good. Playing with kids INTERESTED in spooky stuff works much better.
Halloween is almost here when the spooky fun will come to its peak.
When Halloween is over will Declan’s intense fixation on Horror fade until next year? Will he return his intense focus on the US presidents? American history? Will he return to learning about the solar system? World countries?
Time will only tell.
Until then – enjoy this Spooktacular Season!
Halloween can be so much fun!!
I agree – the Halloween fever is alive in this house, for sure!!
I wish Halloween was celebrated here in the UK like it was over there. It all looks so much fun
We have the Freddy hand but it belonged to Auntie😂 She has a thing for all things Nightmare On Elm Street. Of course Ben decided it was his and some arguments aren’t worth having.
Ben is going to be Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas this year. Taking home to a Halloween store would be too much. He’d touch everything, want everything and it wouldn’t end well. We ordered online.
My goodness, Bobby has grown! Wow! I love their scary faces.
💌👻🎃
There is definitely a lot of bargaining by Declan when we go to the store. Right now, we have it that if he follows his schedule and doesn’t use mean words he can get something on Saturdays (and not expensive). Although he definitely tries for stuff on our visits in the week.
Jack Skellington is a good one! Originally Declan wanted to be a dead George Washington. Still kind of hoping that is where we land 🙂
He did! He hit a growth spurt. I started having to look up to talk with him last year. My husband is 6’3″ and is starting to look Bobby in the eye instead of down to see him. Just a matter of time until Bobby passes him I think!
Basketball scholarship 🙏 save mom & dad some money😉
When he becomes a teenager… KEEP THE BLACK LIPSTICK AWAY…
Laughed out loud again – but that is definitely a good point. I could totally see that happening!
Switzerland sort of band it really. We were there one Halloween and went out to buy son a mask. Absolutely nothing anywhere. Must admit here the buildup is fun with places like zoos doing themed events. The shops are full of it. Here the Halloween theme goes really quickly. It’s straight into bonfire night then it’s the Christmas buildup. Have you got your costume sorted yet.
Same! In our store one aisle is Halloween and the Christmas is starting to sneak its way in on the next aisle. Well, Declan picked mine – and the rest of the family. He wants each of us to be a character – I think he has me being Jason, my husband is Freddy and Bobby is Chucky (Catelyn put her mighty foot down and claimed SHE was going to pick her own). Have you and your son picked out your costumes yet?
He’s wants Freddy. To save money I will either try to squeeze into his last years one or just put on my old Dr Who Cyberman mask (free from a mag about 8 years ago) and pretend it’s something scary.
LOVE the pumpkin on the left! Even at 14, I think our annual trip to Spirit Halloween is a top five yearly experience for Eli. I love it too.
Thanks! Declan wanted a ghost face pumpkin, so I drew it and he carved it. Turned out pretty good! Definitely a top five for Declan too, and I’m thinking it will be for years to come.