hAlLoWeEn

This year Dave and I decided to have a Halloween party- nothing big- just some family over for food, trick-or-treating, and karaoke. We decided to throw a party because years ago we bought a little bottle of rootbeer concentrate. Every year we talk about using it but for one reason or another, it stays in the cupboard, unopened. This year our goal was to empty that bottle. And empty it we did!

The rootbeer was a hit with the kids. They called it "spooky juice". We feasted on chili, mummy hotdogs, brain jello (Taylor's favorite), queso dip, & veggies (to counteract all the candy, of course). Alan & Sam showed up with homemade donuts.



Taylor dressed up as Commander Cody- a Star Wars Clone Wars guy. He probably wore his costume for 2 weeks straight after we bought it. I was sure he would be done with it by Halloween but nope, he was happy and excited to put it on to wear to school. I snapped a picture of him and his friend as they were running out the door to catch the bus for school. I also caught a mask free picture of him during his Halloween Parade.



Sara decided to be Ariel this year. We ordered the costumes about 2 months before Halloween. I told her she could not, under any circumstance, change her mind before Halloween. She begged and pleaded to be Ariel and told me she wouldn't change her mind. Yah, whatever. Promises, promises...

October 30th rolled around- Sara's preschool Halloween party- she came down the stairs dressed in one of her dress up dresses, ready to go. I think she feels her purpose in life is to do anything and everything contrary to what I want her to do. I am SO looking forward to her teenage years... Anyway, I had to redirect her back into her Ariel costume. I bought her a full-body nude dance leotard to wear under her costume and a wig. There was no way she was going to wear a different costume. NO WAY!



She did the same thing on Halloween, only this time she first said she wanted to be Sleeping Beauty. I reminded her that she was Sleeping Beauty last year so she changed her mind and wanted to be Tinker Bell. "No Tink for you, you little Stinker! YOU. ARE. ARIEL!!!" I'm not sure what part of this "You are Ariel" thing she wasn't processing. It worked out though. She conceded and was Ariel. And she was happy. And I was happy. One big happy family, in fact.

Liv was a "punkin". She loved it. And she was darling.



Finally! The answer to my little game the other day. I'm tricky like that- make you read the whole post before I give you an answer. Good times. So, the answer, in case it's not obvious- I dressed up as a MUMMY and TAYLOR drew the picture. I didn't even ask him to draw it. He just came up to me one day, handed it over, and said, "Mom, I drew this for you. It's you dressed up as a mummy for Halloween!" What a sweet kid. Cutest thing EVER. Don't you love this picture of my family? I live in a world where the word "cooperative" is optional in terms of behavior.



What do you think of Dave's costume? The label on the bag said "Old time Golfer". I have a feeling this will be his costume for, well, forever. It's one piece and velcros in the back. He should have no problem dressing up in it when he's 85.

As for me and my mummy costume. I liked how it turned out. I got a little carried away with the make up. A little goes a long way. So, when you put on a lot, like I did, it's just that- A LOT. I was too busy to make it look any better. It did a lovely job of scaring the bajeebees out of my kids. Livvy was almost in tears. Poor little Spencer, he didn't even know who I was. He wouldn't even look at me. I think there was just so much makeup that he didn't even register that there was a person behind all the makeup. I was feeling bad for him by the end of the night- a whole evening without a mommy is a lot to ask of a 4-month-old. I washed it off and he had his mommy back. Another thing about dressing up for Halloween while nursing a baby- not an easy thing to do! That's all I have to say about that.

I kept forgetting that I was dressed up scary. I would answer the door and the little tiny 2-year-old crowd of trick-or-treaters would just stare at me and move back toward their parents. I was confused until I remembered that duh- I have crazy makeup on. One lady said, "Your voice doesn't match your costume!" It's nice to know that I don't sound like a monster. Cuz I was worried.

I am so happy that people dressed up for the party! I think it's fun for the kids (and me too) to see their parents dressed up. My cousin's wife Jenny came dressed as a zombie. She looked awesome! It wasn't until she showed up with amazing makeup that I fully realized how loser-esque my own feeble attempt at makeup was. My sister Kristina was a princess. My dad wore that scary Jason guy mask- I'm pretty sure my dad has no idea who that is. I think he just saw a creepy mask and bought it. Actually, to be honest, I don't know much about Jason, other than I can recognize that mask a mile away and know it's associated with Friday the 13th. I don't do slasher movies. I think I watched a few back when I was younger but have blocked them all from my memory. Waste of time and creepy. Anyway, I'm getting way off track here. Back to my dad- Sara and Livvy were stunned speechless and scared out of their minds when he walked in. It was SO funny.



Here's Jenny with her little guy Brodey. He was dressed as a little Skunk.



I love Halloween! It's so fun to decorate, dress up, and do fun things. Thanks for the good times everyone!