Up until now, on Halloween we packed the kids into the car and drove them into town to trick or treat, usually a few houses around Brad's, and when Erin and Miko bought a house we cut them loose in their neighborhood. Until Kevin was eight, we stuck close, but the last couple of years we let Alex take Kevin and Rachel around and handed out candy while Erin and Miko took Toni out.

This is the first year the kids have lived in a neighborhood where they can go out without the long drive get there and the long drive home; it's also the first year both Alex and Rachel and felt they're too old to dress up and trick or treat. Rachel could get away with it; Alex looks older than he is and would probably get people yelling at him.

Their school hosts an annual party for the high school students, a very not-subtle way of keeping them out of trouble on a night when trouble is almost a requirement. We assumed Alex would be going to this and had already decided that Char would stay home and hand out candy while I took Kevin around the neighborhood (as much as he would like, no, he is not going out alone.) But yesterday afternoon I overheard Alex telling his girlfriend that he would go, but not until Kevin had been out to trick or treat.

I always take him out and he's only going to do it for a couple more years.

Last night I told him he could go to the party when it started and I would take his little brother out; no, this is their thing and he doesn't want to miss it. I'm welcome to tag along, but he's going out with Kevin.

Rachel wants to hand out candy, which leaves me only being needed to drive Alex and Stephanie to the party after he and Kevin get back, and to pick them up a couple of hours later.