Halloween 2023.

Halloween was a definite season for us here, not just a single night! I always feel like the more use we can get out of their costumes, the better! Every year they each choose two costumes and alternate wearing them depending on how they feel that day and what we’re doing. I feel like having two options is a safe way to avoid the costume switch Halloween morning. 🙂 This year, Javi chose “Huggy Wuggy” and the Grim Reaper, Lola chose a dalmation and Addison — a cheerleader from the movie Zombies, and Eva chose a dalmation and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas.

It all started with decorating the mantel, and then once October 1st arrived — so did the Boo Baskets. I love putting together little baskets for holidays. (Then I complain when our house is filled with junk… it’s a cycle I willingly participate in!)

The entire month was spent doing fun crafts (always from the dollar store!) and doing “spooky”-themed activities at home. Then we invited some friends over for a Halloween party where we painted pumpkins and decorated cookies!

I wanted to get to the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch but we didn’t make it — maybe next year! We did however make it to the zoo one day and the entire zoo was decorated for Halloween so the kids loved that!

We also tried to do a few local Trunk or Treats! These are always a hit and a good way to practice trick or treating before the real night. Eva’s favorite Trunk gave out apples — she was so excited about it. And during one of the Trunk or Treats, Javi passed out candy with his Cub Scouts pack. He was supposed to incorporate his uniform in some way so he was a zombie Cub Scout. 🙂

The kids also participated in the “Spooky Fun Run” our town put on and the girls enjoyed that. Javi told me it was his last year doing it because he feels he’s too old! I was so heartbroken!

The week leading up to Halloween, all of their extracurricular programs invited them to wear their costumes! So costumes were worn to dance and cheer and field hockey and everywhere else!

Then on Halloween morning, we went to the their school for the Halloween parade! I’m always thankful, every day, that we’re both home and can attend these quick little events at school (mid-day.) By the way it was freezing and that’s why Eva looks like she’s on the verge of tears. It had been so nice and then once the big day came it was only like 33 degrees! Always the way!

All their classes had parties today, too! Eva’s teachers didn’t invite parents but they set up a pumpkin patch on the playground and all the kids got to “pick” pumpkins and take one home. She was very excited to tell me all about her pumpkin and how it was hard and round. 🙂 I helped plan Javi’s class party but couldn’t attend because it was at the same time as Lola’s and I felt like I should go to hers since it was her first school party! Her excitement is a little harder to read but I think she was happy I came!

We ended up trick or treating near our house and then driving to my parent’s house to trick or treat on their street, too. We definitely practiced “trick or treat!” and “Happy Halloween” and “thank you” — but some things we didn’t practice that we should have– staying off people’s lawns, ringing the bell and then taking a step backwards so the homeowner can actually open the door to give them the candy, and walking….!

We got way too much candy, that’s for sure!

And now, with great pleasure, I can say… it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. 🙂