Sppoky Goblins

A few more Halloween photos of Bug and Sis

The finished project.

We did discover that the eye holes weren't big enough. As the evening grew darker Bug required assistance to find his way around.

Sis joined us for trick or treating. She wittingly claimed her costume to be the character Juno (from the movie). Here she is checking out Bug's mask.

It was a pleasant Hallow's Eve, with the only complaint coming from Bug that Beggar's Night just isn't long enough. I think our candy dish (and my tummy) would care to disagree.

Halloween

Sometimes Bug's brilliance and creativity just astounds me. This week has been one of those times.

This year we just haven't had the time to visit our normal Halloween-time haunts. We have been overbooked with soccer, Cub Scouts, school activities, and working on the house in between. This actually gave Bug a little more free time than I had though.

For those of you that don't know, I'm kind of a scrooge when it comes to store bought Halloween costumes. I'm not sure if this is because of my penny-pinching side or my creative side, but I really don't see the point in spending upwards of $30 for a costume that will only be worn once, is a copy cat of every other kid at school, and will invariably rip before trick or treating is over with. So every year I encourage my kids to be creative and work with what we have on hand. I am willing to shell out a few bucks for clothing that they will wear again or a handful of supplies needed to complete their project.

It has been a lot of fun to watch their creativity grow. From their year as Harry Potter and Hermine or Sis's jaunt as an emo/Gothic rock star, to Bug sampling life as a hobo last year, these kid's have really proved that they can think outside the box and work with what they have. Bug really proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt with this year's costume.

He has been a little obsessive about playing Mario Cart on the Wii lately. He comes home from school and tells me about how he and his classmates pretended that they were characters from the game during recess. Everything around here lately seems to revolve around his favorite character Yoshi. So it came as no surprise when he decided a few weeks ago that he wanted to be the little green dinosaur for Halloween.

He begged for me to give in and order a $50 costume off the Internet for him. I just couldn't justify spending all that money though and helped him look up ideas on how to make his own costume. We found a site that offered a suggestion on making a paper mache head of the character. So after the purchase of a couple large balloons, Bug set to work with piles of old newspaper and a water/flour/glue concoction.

I did help him attach the two balloons together after they had dried and took over the spray painting in an effort to minimize the mess.

He took the reigns of his project back again after the green spray paint was dry.

There are peep holes cut out of the black parts of the eyes and nostrils so he can see where he is going. We purchased the camouflage fleece pants and green thermal shirt on sale at Target for only $15.

The tail came from an old stuffed alligator that he had slated to be given away to Goodwill with a belt looped through it. Sis was mildly disturbed to see us hack away at the stuffed toy but was pretty impressed with the outcome.

Today is Bug's big classroom Halloween party. I had to commission a friend to give him a ride to school with the big costume. I am excited to hear his recount of the event when he gets home.

More Haunted Happenings

We continued our haunted happenings throughout the week. On Tuesday night we carved pumpkins.

Sis wasn't feeling so well that night. She had a fever, sore throat, and headache. She stayed home from school the next day. I seem to have a touch of it this weekend, thanks Sis.
Bug did pretty good at cleaning the guts out of his gourd. Sis did step in and help him finish it up. Such a sweet sister.

I was surprised to find out that Ricky had never carved a pumpkin before. I am so glad that we have the opportunity to share our traditional holiday experiences with him.

On Thursday night we went up town to the local merchant's Trick-or-Treat with a Cop. We love to attend this function every year. It is really a neat idea. As a fundraiser for December's Shop with a Cop charity function (where low income kids get to shop for presents to give) the local merchants block off 3 blocks uptown and open their doors to trick or treaters. We get to see a lot of familiar faces and mom benefits too by getting a few discount coupons & the opportunity to window shop.

After our excursion uptown I dropped Bug off at his school for the 3rd grade Fall Fun Festival. Unfortunately this year I was deemed uncool by him and not allowed to attend. It's both sad and happy to watch my little boy assert his independence. He had a lot of fun with his friends under the supervision of the school staff. The kids got to play Halloween Bingo, balloon volleyball, and musical chairs. Normally the school has a marshmallow roast too, but it was raining off and on that night. During this time Sis and Ricky were uptown volunteering at a haunted house with Sis's dad. One of his friends was putting on the house in his store as a fundraiser. The kids had a lot of fun working there and Sis may even have a couple new babysitting jobs because of it.

On Friday night, while Sis and Ricky worked the haunted house again, Bug and I ventured up to the YMCA for their Halloween Under the Big Top event. We enjoyed hot dogs, chips, and popcorn while playing various carnival type games. Bug won a cupcake at the cake walk, had his fortune read, and played games such as the bean bag toss and knock down the cans. I had an amusing time watching an old friend try to keep his 3 year old from saying Captain America, which unfortunately always comes out 'Cap'n Nigga'. Bug and I came back home to enjoy take out while watching Halloween movies.

And Saturday was Halloween....

Bug thought up his hobo costume and Sis and I had a lot of fun pulling it together for him. We even cut apart an old pair of cleats to show his toes. He got so many compliments and extra candy for his costume that he has declared that he plans to be a hobo again next year!
This is the gravedigger that Sis and her dad put together to watch over the cemetery and helpfully spook a few people
Bug making sure all the tombstones were in place. Our neighborhood gets into Halloween and we have one of the three cemeteries adorning the block.
We were ready for the beggar's to start trick or treating. Unfortunately there are a lot of kids sick with H1N1 around here right now, so we didn't have very many kids come by at all. Sis and Ricky stayed back to pass out candy while I took Bug begging. Rumor has it that they were giving handfuls of candy to the kids that we knew :)

I was hoping to get to go to a haunted house or forest this year, but my Halloween night plans fell through. I see that Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, maybe that will be incentive for me to finally clean the garage and basement and have that Halloween party for the little ones like I've wanted to for the last several years.

Halloween Happenings

Anyone that knows me knows that I have this bizarre fascination with the upcoming Haunted Holiday. I'm not really sure why I do, but I have always loved Halloween.

This year it took me a little longer to find my spooky spirit. I usually have the tombstones and other decorations up on October 1st. On the 12th Sis finally had enough of my malaise and put the cemetery up herself (pictures to hopefully be posted later).

It was time to get my tucas in gear & enjoy some fall festivities so the kids and I ventured out to some of our favorite celebrations.

First stop was the pumpkin patch and corn maze.

Sis has a tendency to choose pumpkins a little on the large side. Can you handle it Sis?

Bug found one a little more his size. Ricky is carrying mine so I can take pictures. I didn't get a picture of him with giant gourd, but it's pretty comparable to mine.

Then it was time to embark on our journey through the corn maze. Bug did a pretty good job of guiding us so we didn't get lost.

Bug thought he could push me off the path and into the field.

He was wrong. Bug ended up in the corn instead.

Sis was having fun picking ears of corn. Naughty Sissy.

Our next stop was Living History Farms where Bug went trick or treating at all the old stores, listened to a spooky story teller, and enjoyed popcorn and hot apple cider.

We also enjoyed a hayrack ride. Bug took this picture of me while we were being pulled on the bumpy path. Good job Bug! Maybe I should consider getting him a camera for Christmas?

I'd say the kids had a lot of fun!

The roasted marshmallows on our way out. What a perfect end to a beautiful afternoon.

On Sunday we decided to continue our adventures and check out Spirits in the Garden at Reiman Gardens

Bug got to touch all sorts of interesting things for a treat. Here he is petting a hissing cockroach. I am very glad they had hand sanitizer everywhere!

He also got to play a few games for candy. Once again we were served wonderfully warm popcorn and cider.

We told Sis that she had to dress up this time so she threw on her cowgirl hat.

Notice that Bug had on a different jersey on Sunday? He can't quite decide if he's a hawkeye or cyclone LOL.

We have sat and watched a lot of our favorite spooky movies and have our yard all decked out. It is finally starting to feel like Halloween around here.