My son looks forward to different occasions for celebration. When they celebrated United Nations Day in school last October, he asked me what event comes next, and I said Halloween. He was so excited, like all kids were, waiting for the day when he could finally join his classmates in trick-or-treating. He went home with his pumpkin basket full of sweet treats that day, some of which I gave away to my parents so they could also distribute to neighboring kids in their place. Now, he’s eagerly anticipating Christmas and naming the gifts he wants to receive from Santa Claus.

Last night at bedtime, he asked me what’s next after Christmas. I said New Year. He didn’t want to stop there because he wanted me to go on and tell him what events/occasions will happen each month. So I said, “New Year, Valentine’s Day, Graduation Day, Summer, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Linggo ng Wika, United Nations Day, Halloween and Christmas.”

Mommy: Oh, I think I forgot something, baby!

Justin: What, Mommy!

Mommy: Your birthday! You will celebrate your birthday in July. You’ll be 5 years old already!

Justin: Again? Why does everything happen again and again? Why do we have to celebrate birthdays every time?

Mommy: Because that’s the way things are, baby! Besides, don’t you like to receive gifts on your birthday or on Christmas Day?

My son didn’t answer. He simply moved on to the next topic as if nothing happened.

I had to set aside my writing task about business card printing (full color printing, that is) yesterday morning to give way to my son’s Halloween party in school. I actually had to skip work in the morning because parents were encouraged to join their kids in school for their Halloween celebration.

I actually didn’t buy my son a new Halloween costume this year because last year, I bought two costumes, Zorro and skeleton costumes. The skeleton costume was still too big for him last year, but yesterday it fitted him perfectly.


With Mommy before going to school


Ready for trick-or-treating!


With Diego, one of his best pals in school


With his classmates inside their classroom


During their class presentation on stage


Class picture after the presentation
I went home ahead of my son and his yaya because Justin still wanted to play with his friends in school. I felt so tired when all I did was sit and take pictures of my son. Signs of aging? I hope not! LOL!

Last Friday, Justin’s school celebrated Halloween, one week in advance because they’re having their midyear break from October 26 to November 3. Kids are encouraged to come to school in their Halloween costumes. In anticipation of this event, we bought Justin a skeleton costume two weeks ago, which we found out later was a little too big for him. We were in a rush to buy it at Toys R Us because Justin might find new toys in the store that he’ll ask us to buy for him again. LOL!

Because I don’t want my son to feel uncomfortable wearing an oversized costume, I bought him another one, a Zorro outfit this time. Too bad the costume didn’t come with a hat and a sword. He didn’t want to wear Zorro’s mask because it was a bit tight, although I managed to take a picture of him in school wearing it. And because they’ll be trick-or-treating in school, I also bought him a pumpkin basket for all the sweet treats he’ll be receiving.


My Little Zorro


With Teacher Gwen


With Teacher Kara


Wearing Zorro’s mask


Standing proudly with the other superheroes in school


His Halloween loot

Did my little boy enjoy his first trick-or-treating? You be the judge of that.

As a mom, I always worry about my son’s health. I hate seeing him sick; that’s why I make it a point to monitor the food that he eats. For instance, I don’t usually include junk foods and candies in my grocery list. Instead, I try to incorporate healthy snacks into his diet because I know for a fact that good nutrition equals good health.

This year will be my son’s first time to go trick-or-treating. We already bought him a skeleton costume for Halloween. I know this will be a fun time for him because he’ll be receiving lots of candies and junk food, things that I usually deprive him and the very same things that young kids, like my son, find delightful.

Now, this got me thinking. Is there something we parents can include in our trick-or-treating fodder that kids will love and will be good for their health, too? I found the answer to my question in Trick or Treat Me blog. This site offers valuable healthy living tips even during the Halloween season.

One of the healthy Halloween treats we can give our kids is chocolate milk in shelf stable Tetra Pak cartons from Hershey’s and Organic Valley. Chocolates are a guaranteed hit among kids, while milk provides them with calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. What’s more, cartons are made from paper and are recyclable, so this product is also good for the environment.

Parents can join in the fun, too, by sending a Halloween tweet to family and friends. So go ahead, Twick or Tweet Me. You’ll be glad to know that for every trick or treat you send out (up to $30,000.00), Tetra Pak will give a $10 donation to World Wildlife Fund.