Oh, how they grow ...

So by now you know that I am a recently reformed fall hater, but here's a new element: I also hate Halloween.

(But I swear that, contrary to how this photo looks, my attitude has not rubbed off on my son.)

Of course I love free candy (especially Reese's Cups, with which I have had a longstanding love affair; seriously, if I get a hold of any this year I'll lose all semblance of self-control) but I hate tromping around in the wet leaves in a costume (at least here in Washington, where it is rarely nice on Oct. 31) and even worse, answering the door to God knows who until well past dark.

However, since becoming a mom, I have rediscovered the joy of Halloween costumes, which, I have decided, are the best thing about this holiday (with caramel apples as a close second). Getting to dress up as a Sprite or a witch was always my favorite part of the holiday, so the past two years, I have spent endless amounts of time hunting for the perfect costume for Collin.

Last year, he was a little tiny Glowworm (from Gymboree), and this year, he is a very active bear (from costumexpress.com, and I must say that it was not easy finding a non-creepy/hokey looking bear).

And both last year and this year, he has gotten his first opportunity to wear his costume at Bumpie Halloween parties.

Last year, the party was held at the Seattle home of Michelle, one of the first Bumpies I ever met, and Collin was among the little ones lined up in a row on the couch, unable to escape pacifier and bottle thieves, while the moms feasted on fabulously fancy pastries.

This year, I had the pleasure of co-hosting the party at my friend Jen's house in Kent, and it was a ton of fun, even though you wouldn't guess that from Collin's expression in most of the pictures! Blame teething, a bear costume and being dragged out of bed earlier than usual. He did have fun, though, and very much enjoyed a ridiculous consumption of sugar.

Speaking of food, that was one of my key roles since the fabulous Jen provided her home and a ton of adorable decor. The gathering was potluck style, but I made cookie-dough truffles with orange drizzle (I added yellow food coloring to the pink frosting I already had and prayed for the best), fabulous boo cups (crushed oreos, chocolate pudding and whipped-cream ghosts), caramel apples for the moms (because seriously, when do moms ever get party favors?!) and sherbet punch (which I need to admit I wouldn't have been able to make without the lovely Keri picking up, uh, all of the ingredients). I love these kind of projects!

It's so much fun being able to get together and celebrate Halloween with other moms, especially since our kids aren't old enough yet to really enjoy it. And it's also wonderful to see how they have grown in a year. Remembering Collin, Holden and Max lying on Michelle's living-room rug last year and then seeing them chasing each other for possession of a toy lawnmower (thus making them impossible to photograph) on Sunday was both hilarious and nostalgic.

Our babies are growing up.

But fortunately, I have at least another year before Collin rebels against soft and adorable costumes.

I hope.