Spooktacular Halloween

Our Halloween started early this year – complete with preschool parties and fall festivals. And the requisite horrible cold. A nasty cold accompanied by a depressing sore throat took over our family the week before Halloween. But we didn’t let that stop us from having fun!

The weekend before Halloween we went to a fall festival hosted by a therapeutic boarding school in West Jordan. It brought back memories of our time working at Willow Creek School (a therapeutic boarding school in Provo) to put ourselves through college. I thought it was a really neat thing for the school to do – it was completely free, and there were a lot of things to do. We went for the last few hours on the last day, but the festival was open for three days that weekend. If we’re still around here next year we will definitely go earlier. We bought our pumpkins from their “pumpkin patch” and then went to dinner and a movie.

A week before Halloween, our co-op preschool had a Halloween party. We played a lot of really cute games – the kids enjoyed them. I think they enjoyed dressing up more than they enjoyed anything else.

They played a puzzle game (above right where Joseline and Colin are putting together skeletons), hot potato with a jack-o-lantern (whoever ended up with the pumpkin had to stand up and make a scary noise – with 2 and 3 year olds we got more silly noises than scary ones), Don’t Eat Pete (with ghosts), and a bean bag toss (sandwich baggies full of candy corns thrown into cauldrons).

Monday night before Halloween we had a special Halloween FHE complete with a jack-o-lantern pizza for dinner! Then we talked about sharing and serving our neighbors (part of the plan for FHE was to make a treat to share with our neighbors… more about that later…). After our brief lesson we carved pumpkins, decorated, and then started making the treat for our friends.

 

We made crunchy Halloween bones for a treat – click here for the instructions/recipe. We didn’t finish before it was time for bed, so we put the kiddoes to bed and Russ and I finished them while watching Edward Scissorhands. We made so many bones it was ridiculous. I we probably used about 5 lbs of white almond bark.

We had every intention of handing out three coffins full to our friends/neighbors… but remember how we were sick? And I’m pregnant? Yeah… somehow it just never happened. Failing to plan is planning to fail, and really that’s what happened. I usually plan these types of things out really well, but this time… well… let’s just say life got in the way and leave it at that.

Needless to say we just ended up eating all of the bones. Well, mostly the kids did. I can only eat so much almond bark before I feel like my mouth is coated in wax. We also took a bigger coffin full of them to work for Russ’ work Halloween party. Unfortunately they didn’t get as devoured as I had hoped (he had them hidden by his desk – and I think that was on purpose!)

I made a printable version of the coffin pattern I used (click here for the file), in case anyone is interested. I printed the pattern on cardstock and then just taped them up with scotch tape.

On actual Halloween day, Vincente had his very first costume parade at school! I really wanted to go and take Joseline, but she had been up all night before, hacking and coughing, and she slept until about 10am. (this is my little girl who is up at the crack of dawn saying “It’s good morning time!”) So I sent my little Vince off to his first Halloween at school all by himself. (to the right, Vince as a mummy with his friend in his class before school. Cuties.)

Later I dropped off some things for his class Halloween party (which I had also been planning on attending, but sick kids just need to stay home and cuddle, so we did).

Joseline seemed to be feeling a little better after sleeping all morning long, so I dressed her up to go to Russ’ work party. Vincente had a blast trick or treating around the offices, and see all the scary decorations, but Josline does not share her father and brother’s love of Halloween and all things spooky. She wanted to be held almost the whole time. Until we stayed put in Russ’ office and she just played and ate candy.

That night we went trick or treating with Dan and Michelle and Ethan. Well, Russ took the kids trick or treating, and I stayed home and watched shows on the iPad while I waited for trick or treaters to come calling. We had more than the last two years because our ward didn’t have a truck or treat, but we didn’t have nearly as many as I expected. I think most kids have been skipping our neighborhood for so long because of the trunk or treat that they are just in the habit of not coming. But that’s okay. Russ got the best candy (which I spent the next few weeks devouring – the baby made me!)

I’d say Halloween was mostly a success this year. The only flop was delivering goodie plates (which we do just about every year at Halloween!!). Everything else went off without a hitch, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Till next year!

All Hallows

Our ward does a Trunk or Treat every year on Halloween.

This year posed a problem.
Halloween was on Monday night.

Why is that such a problem? you ask.

Here’s why:

Monday nights are reserved for family home evening throughout the Church. No Church activities, meetings, baptismal services, games, or practices should be held after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays. Other interruptions to family home evening should be avoided. An exception may be made when New Year’s Eve is on a Monday.

That’s straight from the Church Handbook of Instructions. No ward activities on Monday nights.

However, somehow our ward got special permission (from the Stake Pres? From President Monson?) to do the Halloween chili cook-off and Trunk or Treat on a Monday night! I think it helped that the entire partay is in the parking lot. And the fact that it’s probably one of the biggest non-member/less actives drawing event. Everyone in the neighborhood comes (and brings chili) – even people who never come to Church on Sundays (or any other day of the week). I also think that a lot of neighborhood kids who are in other wards come and start their trick or treating out in our church parking lot. It’s safe, fun, and you get a warm bowl of chili! Plus, we usually start at 6pm and it’s not quite dark yet.

Keeping with tradition, we were about 30 minutes late (last minute costuming, last minute chili preparations… you know, the usual).

Last year we made the mistake of taking the kids on our street after the Trunk or Treat. Duh – all the people at the houses were the same folks at the Trunk or Treat. So this year we got smart and went to the neighborhood on the other side of the main road. The kids made it up one side and down half of the other side of one street (probably about 1/8 of a mile – which is pretty good for little ones!)

Toward the end, J’s bucket got so heavy she couldn’t carry it anymore! And by the last few houses, Papai was carrying her. But she really enjoyed everyone doting on her and gushing over her costume. J the paper doll. A costume that cost under $1. Score.

We also had one of those scary car-almost-running-over-small-trick-or-treater experiences with V. They had just scored some candy at a house with a very big, but gentle, Mast-weiler (Mastiff/Rottweiler mix – one of the most beautiful dogs I have seen!) and we were headed back down his walkway to cross his driveway to the sidewalk when a chick comes ripping into the driveway. V was already making his way to the sidewalk. I don’t think she saw him, but we yelled at him, and he took off toward their garage, away from the car. We were all freaking out, but there were no injuries, and after some great big hugs, we were all fine.

When we got home and started getting ready for bed, I was asking J if she had fun trick or treating. Of course she had fun. Here is the rest of our conversation:

  Me: What did you say when you went to the houses?
J: Trick or treat!
Me: And what did you get?
J: Candy!
Me: And then what did you say? (expecting her to say “Thank you” – my favorite part about trick or treating is getting to practice manners!)
J: Strawberries!

Me: …

Okay. Well, we’ll work on that.

Of Spooks and Treats

Our Halloween festivities officially started on the 23rd when we made some Halloween decorations -

The classic magnets-on-decorative-stones project (I have decided that I am going to make “themed” holiday magnets for our family magnet board – which will be one of my “snowy day” projects later this winter – the yard comes first!)

These smiley-faced-googley-eyed spiders. The kids had a blast making them, and they were so easy. Just some big pom poms, pipe cleaners cut in half then hot-glued to the pom poms. Add some embellishments, and you’ve got the cutest spiders on the block!

These cute little Halloween jars inspired by my friend Katie. Nabbed the jars at DI for $.50 a piece. I wanted to make a few more, but towing small children through the glass aisle at DI = trouble, so I grabbed the first ones I saw and ran. They should have candles in them, but we don’t really have any furniture in our living room, so I didn’t have a place to put them. I’m hoping to put up a bunch of floating shelves in my living room (because I don’t particularly care for furniture anyway). Another “when-it-gets-too-cold-to-work-on-the-yard” project.

Last but not least, my “BOO” letters. Grabbed these from a clearance bin at Michael’s for about $.50 a piece (they’re about 6” tall). The O’s were actually Q’s – just used the handy jigsaw and some sand paper, and voila – you’ve got O’s. I tied some hemp through them and had them hanging on the door. I wish I had snapped a picture of them hanging on the door. It was actually pretty cute. Eventually I want to make a huge generic wreath to hang outside and change the decorations on it to match the holiday/season. Yet another “when-it-gets-too-cold-to-work-on-the-yard” project.

Later in the week, we broke out the decorations and costumes. The kids had a blast trying on old costumes. I can’t believe the Turtle still fit Joseline. And of course Vince wanted to be Dash again as soon as he saw the costume.

Luckily we had several Halloween festivities to attend, and his Optimus Prime costume took longer than expected to create (read: wasn’t finished until 5 minutes before the ward Trunk or Treat) – so he got to be Dash twice, and Optimus Prime once.

Our first activity was Trick or Treating at Camp Williams with all the Guard families. It was pretty awesome. Joseline, as you can see, was a ballerina. Vince was Dash. I was – me – and Russ was in the “Chair Force.” If you don’t get it, don’t worry – military humor. Anyway, he wore his old BDU’s (the Air Force only got ACU’s last year... heh), and his hat cocked back on his head, and taped over the :”US ARMY” and wrote “US CHAIR FORCE.” It was pretty great.

There were some fun costumes and displays at the Guard Halloween deal. Vincente was a little nervous at first, but we kept reminding him that it was all pretend, and he didn’t need to be scared. He would repeat it to  himself, and to us, “They’re just pretend, so I don’t be scared.” And then he would go get some candy.

We got to one room where the candy was in a coffin. Under the candy was a (obviously fake) zombie. When Vincente was hesitant to grab some candy, I reminded him, “Remember it’s just pretend.” And then I added, “It doesn’t even move.” Bad idea. Just as I said that, and Vince was reaching for the candy, some dumb soldier thought it would be a great idea to pull the strings that were apparently attached to the head and hands of the zombie. Vince lept to the floor away from the coffin, screaming. Joseline screamed, started crying, and held on to Russ with a vice grip, and of course, Russ and I jumped as well. Stupid jerk. We made sure to get extra candy from there. It would have been hilarious if my kids weren’t 3 and 1. Maybe if they were 10 and 8 it would have been kind of funny. It would have been hilarious if they were teenagers. But c’mon, babies!? Really.

Vincente’s costume was a hit for the second year in a row (better this year with freckles – more like Dash, less like Mr. Incredible). Joseline charmed everyone because, well, she’s just adorable. And everyone loved Russ’ “Chair Force” costume. After we had obtained a sufficient amount of “loot,” we returned to Russ’ offices and watched the rest of How to Train Your Dragon (perhaps one of Vincente’s favorite movies, even though he had only seen it once in the theater) and filled our bellies with all the good stuff from the kid’s candy. Hey, what’s Halloween for as adults if not to pillage your children’s candy?

Friday night took us down to Provo to the Coyne’s rockin’ Halloween party where we brought some Crunchy Bones. I thought I had taken a picture of them, but can’t seem to find one. Bummer. I even made a coffin for them out of cardboard. They’re basically the best Halloween treat eva. The party was great, Vince and Joseline (or should I said, Dash and Ballerina) donned their same costumes, Papai went as a detective, complete with hat, side-holstered gun, and trench coat. I can’t believe I didn’t get a picture. It was pretty cute. I wore my old hippy dress. I thought my short hair wouldn’t really work with the hippy thing, but it actually looked fine.

The third, and crowning event of this Halloween season was our neighborhood ward’s Trunk or Treat. Vince wore the fruits of mine and Russ’ hard labor for several hours leading up to the Trunk or Treat.

Optimus Prime.

Complete with Vince-provided sound effects. He would move his arms and make “robot” sounds. I’ve included some here for your listening pleasure:

After the “Trunk or Treat” (which ended up being a “walk around the gym and treat” due to the rain) Vincente declared “I want to trick or treat outside!” Well, his costume was a little cumbersome, so I offered to give him a ride. Before he even reached the end of the Church sidewalk, he decided that maybe a ride was a better idea. So I drove, Russ picked Vince up and carried him to the houses, Vince put on the charm and got candy. I drove them to the next house (if the one next door wasn’t giving out candy).

Vincente really enjoyed it, and actually got pretty good at walking in that costume.

We did pretty well in the candy department – and had a few trick or treaters ourselves that night. Not many, because we were all out when most of them were coming around the neighborhood... and it had been raining all night. Next year will be better, hopefully.

 

It looks like our neighborhood gets hit pretty well (I saw at least 10 groups out just the night of the Trunk or Treat, and it was raining. So I imagine there will be more next year.)                    

 

 

And I just had to share this last picture... Joseline kept watching Vincente step into the boxes that made up his costume, so when she found this empty light bulb box laying around, she decided she would be a transformer, too. Heh. Cutie.

All Hallows’ Eve Part III – Los Altos

our trick or treating party

After the trunk or treat, we hurried home to pack for our weekend at Barbara and Abe’s house in Los Altos. They were so sweet to invite us to trick or treat in their neighborhood with my cousin Mikila and her son, Corbin. Then, so that we wouldn’t have to drive back to Monterey late Saturday night, they invited us to spend the night! It was a fabulous weekend. We felt so at home with them. The kids actually slept really well in their own room, too! Of course, Joseline somehow weaseled her way into getting Barb to snuggle her at 5:30 in the morning! And Vince had a hard time going to bed at night, but that’s nothing new.

We watched The Holiday on Barb and Abe’s HUGE TV. Then in the morning Barb made delicious pesto potatoes… hmmm… my mouth is watering just thinking about them!

Anyway, so on Halloween Eve we ate dinner with Barb, Abe, Mikila (my cousin), Connor (her hubby), and Corbin (their son – he’s about 2). It was a soup/chili with gluten free pumpkin muffins, some delicious SafeWay bread ;) and sparkling cider and fruit juices. Barb’s cooking is always to die for, and her chili was awesome. Some day I’ll make good chili like hers. Really, it was the best I’ve ever tasted. I aspire to be a good cook, but sometimes fall short. Like tonight. First, I undercooked the veggies (but that was easily solved by leaving them in the oven for a little longer), undercooked the rice, and over cooked the chicken. Of course, the chicken was due to me taking a very important phone call (more about that later).

Back to Halloween. After dinner, Russ held Vince down on the ground while I painted a mask on his face. We tried to do it without holding him down, but Vince wanted nothing to do with the face paint. Of course, once he saw what was on his face, he was super excited. He kept saying that his face was “painty.” Ha ha. Love kids.

We just took Vince and Corbin up and down both side of Barb and Abe’s street. Most of the families were older, and a bunch of older ladies thought Vince and Corbin were adorable.

Vince wanted to hold Aunt Barbara’s hand the whole time. It was really sweet. He would let go of her just long enough to knock on the door and get some candy, then it was back to her side! He was attached to her.

Connor was a baker, and Mikila was an oven (she’s about 8 mos pregnant). Their little Corbin was a panda. He was wearing a jersey, too, but I forgot what that was about. Something about a sports team. Mikila can comment and fill in that part – my mind is drawing a blank.

Vince was really good at saying “Trick or Treat,” “Thank you,” and “Happy Halloween” although for some reason “happy Halloween” always had a hard time coming out right. If you listen really closely to the end of the video, you’ll see what I mean.

 

    vince trick or treating

So pretty much, thanks to Barb and Abe (and Mikila and Connor!) this was the best Halloween I think we have ever had!

vince inspecting some Jack O Lanterns

joseline – deer in the headlights – and yes, that is a Hotwheels car she is toting around

 

vince pointing at the moon “DA MOON!”

 

this house would have definitely won the “best decorated” award on this street. They even had some cool music playing. It was awesome.

 

vince checking out the skeleton pirate coming out of the ground. I think these people were the only ones who knew who Vince was. At least everyone knew he was some type of super hero! They just didn’t know which one. These folks got it on the first try. :) But they also had little kids.