Growing up, Halloween was one of the most exciting holidays. Besides Christmas and birthdays, Halloween was on the countdown calendar. Food, candy and costumes, what more could a child want? Today Halloween means so much more. Maybe it has always meant so much more, but until this year I never knew what Halloween could entail.

This year we have gone to two different pumpkin patches, Cedarwood Pumpkin Patch in McMinnville, Tennessee and Lucky Ladd Farms in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Cedarwood is pretty amazing and has so much to do for children and adults alike. There is a bounce pad, corn maze, hay maze, and of course a ton of pumpkins. While it is a drive nearly an hour from Murfreesboro, it is definitely worth it. If you plan on going there, dedicate several hours to it in order to get the most out of it. Check their website for hours and pricing. Lucky Ladd farms is a bit smaller, 40 acres smaller, but still has a lot to offer adults and children. The farm has several mega slides, a corn maze, a whole play area for toddlers, and tractor rides. I would suggest this one for parents with small children only because it is a bit smaller and a bit easier to navigate. The farm could be done in a matter of two or three hours depending on how fast you want to get through it. Check their website out for hours and pricing.

We have also gone to two different Halloween bashes and have more to go to. As mentioned in plenty of my previous articles, we are a one income family, so cheap or free is always welcome in our house. One we went to was Middle Tennessee State University’s Alpha Delta Pi Trunk or Treat on campus. This was a first for us and I was really pleased. I was only expecting a few cars to hand out candy, but instead was greeted by over a dozen cars. There were also several bounce houses, slides and a rock climbing wall for the little ones. Oh, did I mention it was free?! We were there for nearly two hours and walked away with exhausted little girls and two buckets full of candy. We also attended a boo bash with our mom group and had a blast! It’s always nice having adult interaction while kids have friends to play with.

One Halloween bash I am so sad we are missing is World Outreach Church’s Hoedown. Everyone has been telling me how awesome it is and I’ve been seeing little snippets here and there from previous years. Due to time constraints this year, we will not be able to make it, but I can’t wait to see the pictures uploaded later this week. In previous years they have had a petting zoo, tons of candy and several bounce houses. And of course with it being at a church, it’s all clean fun. A lot of people attend, so be prepared for lines.

Halloween is more than candy and costumes to me now that I’m a parent. It’s creating memories with my children. They didn’t have to go to two different pumpkin patches or two different Halloween bashes. They didn’t have to get costumes or have plans to go trick or treating tonight. But I have been thanked many times over these past two weeks. I have had more hugs and kisses than I can remember. On top of all of that, I have created so many memories with them that are going to last a lifetime. Maybe that’s what it has always been about and I just never noticed. Maybe that’s why my parents always made sure one of them took me trick or treating. Maybe that’s why there are so many Hallmark Holidays. Or maybe I’m just being a sappy momma. Happy Halloween.