Halloween 2015

We started the day off with a trip to Knott's Berry Farm. I knew they had trick-R-treating for the little ones in ghost town. I love dressing up with my kiddos, so why not?

As we entered, the young woman at admissions said: Now, this is good parenting! She was impressed that I would dress up with my kid, matching even. Plus she knew who we were, sot hat was fun. Actually, all the employees at each trick-R-treating stop, knew we were Team Rocket from Pokemon. They each took a moment to talk to Kurtis as if he was James. It was so sweet.

Liberty did not want to wear her costume {Umbreon, a pokemon} to Knott's. Sam, as Ash Ketchum {Pokemon trainer} didn't mind--easy since his DIY costume easily passed as civilian wear. Haha.

Ready to serve!

Later, we set up outside to pass out candy and chili. I returned to serving chili again this year, after all the requests last year. I purchased 150 cups but I didn't make nearly enough. Well, who's counting but I would have liked to hand out more. So we passed out about 50 cups of chili and of course, candy!

It was a highlight when a group of chaperoned developmentally disabled adults, ALL in costumes, came by. We offered the chili and a couple took it, very gratefully. One did not realized and as they were walking away, he realized his friends had chili and he didn't. He looked disappointed. The chaperones explained he could go back and grab a cup too. He was so happy to come back and be given a cup of chili. They were all very polite and well mannered too.

Pikachu, Ethan, Hilbert, Jesse, James, Umbreon, Misty
Ash Ketchum
Team Pokemon!

Of course some people were hesitant, mothers urging their baby-daddy's to try it first. lol Once he gave approval, then they would take some for themselves. Hilarious.

It's not a major deal or very evangelistic outreach opp. It's something though. It's my personal way to GIVE, freely to my neighborhood and community, from my God-loving heart.

A couple of the middles friends, my nephews and brother and sister-in-love all came by to help and hang out. We were ALL coordinated, dressed in the Pokemon cartoon theme.

Like last year, the neighborhood gave off mixed signals. Only a few houses were giving out candy. Literally only one or two per block. As per our annual tradition, we stopped by the neighbor who hosts a drive way dance party every Halloween. He holds a very informal dance contest, with bigger and bigger candy prizes every year. Sam took home the prize! 

Drive-way dance contest winner. 

Happy Halloweenie!

We did this last year and it was a big hit. I want my children to not be self centered, to learn to serve others willingly.

I've also, always thought of Halloween as such a wonderful opportunity to bless so many people at one time...how many other times do you have random strangers coming to YOUR door, willingly?

With those thoughts in mind, we turned up the music, brought the 'party' outside and set up a canopy and tables to serve and love our community and neighborhood.

Last year it was chili, this year it was weenies! aka hotdogs. We had nearly 100 hotdogs and we gave  away about
 all of them, minus a few we ate ourselves, to complete strangers. We had to shut it down by 8:30, which I felt was pretty early.

Then we walked around our neighborhood 'trick-R-treating' but most homes were not giving out candy at all, which was strange. Plus, it started pouring rain. That was fun for a little while. I am so proud of my kids. Not one complaint. Even Kurtis really enjoyed climbing up in the front tree 'hiding' and 'scaring' people. Which meant most people did not see him until he made some funny voice that a 5yo would consider creepy and then they saw him. It was hilarious.

The rain was quite nice actually. A great way to usher in a new month. I have great expectations for this month of 'thanksgiving'.

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

Halloween wasn't our normal night of shenanigans this year.  The past few months have moved so quickly and almost in a blur. Normally, Halloween would have found me sewing or some how pulling together home-made costumes much earlier.

We still did home-made but there wasn't any sewing involved. We did do our make-up though. Whatever works, right? We went with a Calavera or Dia de los Muertos theme this year. I chose it cause I knew doing the make up would be easier than sewing up costumes. I just didn't have the gumption to sew for everyone. I think it worked out really well. Plus in the kids art class--they studies the original Calvera artist and created their own calavera inspired pieces.

The Mr. finagled this photo-op on our porch and it came out pretty good, I think. We walked two blocks for more than enough candy then headed home. But not before we visited a home that was just as festive as they were last year. Apparently, the father of the house enjoys playing DJ. They light up their drive way and he sits in the entry of their garage, blasting music from his laptop. It's fun and really makes me feel like I live in a great neighborhood. Of course Sammy didn't waste this opportunity to show his moves.

There wasn't much screaming from a nearby house on the same block that sets up some sort of maze/haunted house thing. Another corner house that usually draws mobs of people, didn't set up anything this year either. I'm perfectly ok with that. The crowds tended to get slightly out of control last year.

Kurtis had a great time passing out handfuls of candy at a time. Although there were crowds in the neighborhood, we didn't actually get very many ToTers. I think becuase we were the only house on our block passing out candy! Good thing we are on a corner.

Oldest kept himself busy hiding in the bushes to startle people walking by. One man ran away and left his toddler there. Needless to say, the mother wasn't too happy about that.