The Great Pumpkin

You all know and love the story of Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch for The Great Pumpkin, right?

Well around here we wait for The Great Pumpkin too.

See, a few years back I realized that my kids love candy. I know, I know, all kids love candy, but my kids love it in a "I'll do anything to have it and I cannot leave it alone until I am on a sugar high bigger than Mount Everest and even then I'll eat it 'til I puke" kind of way.

And I value my kids cute smiles and dental hygiene so I devised a Halloween plan. Thank you Linus!

Every year, after Trick or Treating around the neighborhood, they get to dump all their loot out onto the table and choose a set number of candy items they'd like to keep. This year I have said 12. I have no idea what I said last year or any other year. So far, the kidlets haven't noticed the discrepancy.

Then, they put the rest of the candy back in their Trick or Treat bags and set them out on the back porch (or right inside the slider if it's raining.) While they are sleeping The Great Pumpkin comes and trades them their treats for a small gift or 2. He takes the candy, they get a gift! They always have the option to opt out if they want to keep their candy but they never do.

This works great in my house for 2 reasons: 1) it saves their teeth and 2) it replenishes my potty training treat supply (yes I bribe and reward with food. Sue me.)

I never spend more than $10 or $12 each and they think it's great fun. The bonus is that they go to bed nicely so they can get to the morning faster to see their gifts!

I love the Great Pumpkin. And I love that he always leaves me the Snickers bars.