Halloween Recap...

Well another Halloween is over, and I think I have recovered from the sugar rush. I intentionally did not keep all the extra candy bars that the boys don't eat this year (my hips are already thanking me), and I have managed to hide most of the candy they do eat so that I can bring it out a little at a time.

It was another typical Halloween in that we had school parties, trunk or treat, and then trick or treated, but it was not typical in that Walker actually dressed up this year. He is not a fan of costumes, and he has refused to wear one since he was 2. He has always worn a Halloween t-shirt, this year though he decided he wanted to be Billy the Exterminator. If you are not familiar with "Billy" and have an hour or so to spare, you should check him out on A&E Tuesday nights. He's an exterminator that dresses like a rock star. Walker loves him, and I have to admit he is rather entertaining. Here's Walker rocking his Billy outfit.

My friend said I needed to inquire about Walker wearing the shades to school because he was a different man walking around in them. HA! Here's the real "Billy".

Connor decided to be a pirate, again. He actually "decided" on several different costumes, but the pirate was what we went with. He insisted I put a parrot on his shoulder. The only parrot I could find was a cat toy (filled with catnip). I cut the bell off, stuck it on with velcro, and prayed we didn't run into any cats while trick or treating.

I didn't make a lot of treats this year since I am now working full time, but I did manage to make some Candy Corn Bark for the boys' teachers. It was extremely simple and they all liked it. If you're interested in making your own I just melted white chocolate, and then added candy corn, oreos, and peanuts. Spread it on wax paper and then after it cools break it into pieces and bag it up.

I hope you had a great Halloween. I am still struggling with the fact that Christmas is only 48 days away and I haven't even thought about my shopping or crafting!

Best of the Week...

It has been a really busy week full of field trips, parties, and candy. Here are the highlights.

Sunday was Trunk or Treat at our church. Walker doesn't dress up. He hates costumes, so he sported his Halloween t-shirt. Con was Thomas the Train.

Walker's trip to the pumpkin patch was Monday, and Walker rode on a school bus for the first time. Oh the joys of childhood. I don't remember it being quite so bumpy. Walker was thrilled to be out of a booster seat. He rode a horse and picked a pumpkin, but he loved the mop races.

Walker's Halloween party was on Wednesday, and I made lots of goodies for his class. The witch's hands were a big hit!

Friday was Connor's class party and Trunk or Treat. He loves his teacher and all of his little friends he is making, but he has ANOTHER ear infection right now, so he wasn't in the best mood.

Friday night we went to the fair. Connor rode lots of things this year, but Walker was only interested in riding animals. Somehow I got roped into riding the camel with Walker. Oh the things we do for our kids. That poor camel earned his money that night!

Saturday my parents came to town, and Lonnie and Walker carved some pumpkins. Since Walker and Connor are the only grands on both sides, we had a lot of grandparents here to watch them trick or treat. We rode the golf cart around the neighborhood and they got gobs of candy. (Mom took all of the pictures on Halloween, so I will have to see about getting some for your viewing pleasure.)

I also can't do Best of the Week without mentioning a gift my boys got in the mail. We were totally surprised on Thursday when the mail man had a package for Walker and Connor. Imagine my surprise when it was from a fellow blogger!! Staci at Park Avenue and I have become fast friends via our blogs. (We even plan to attend Blissdom together this year!) She was so sweet to send the boys this little treat. They loved it all, but the bubble wrap paper was a HUGE hit. Thanks again Staci! Well that about wraps up my week. I hope you had a wonderful Halloween weekend. I am gonna go brew some coffee and start on a new book. A little down time will be a welcome change!

Happy Halloween!

We have a busy day planned, and an even busier night, but I wanted to stop in and tell everyone I hope you have a wonderful, fun, and safe Halloween.

Happy Halloween from my little goblins to yours!

P.S. I'll be back with some fun pics and from the weekend and a couple other neat projects in the beginning of the week.

Halloween Goodies...

I did not realize how busy the holidays become when you have kids in school. My boys are only in pre-school, but they each have field trips, parties, and 2 Trunk or Treats to attend. I have been working on some Halloween goodies in an effort to get ahead of the game.

As always, I am trying to be very economical (a.k.a. CHEAP), expecially since we also get hundreds of trick or treaters through our neighborhood. Here are some of the things I am making this week, or have already made in preparation that are cost effective, but still have the cute factor.

For the kids in my Sunday School class, I made these super simple ghosts. I'm sure you have seen these before, but if not they are a Super BlowPop covered in white tissue paper and I added googley eyes and a mouth. This project for cost me $3 for 12 ghosts. I got all my supplies at the Dollar Tree. Love THEM!

For Connor's class I am making these Bat covered Hershey's bars. I got this idea from my friend Amy who saw it online. I found a tutorial for them at Skip To My Lou, and if you follow this link you can find the tutorial as well as the printable pdf.

(picture courtesy of Skip to My Lou)

For Walker's class I am making popcorn hands because he wanted to do something he could help with. This is a simple and really cute craft. You have to make sure you get food prep gloves though because some gloves contain latex and lots of people are allergic to that. All you do is pop your popcorn and let it cool. Place one piece of candycorn in each finger for fingernails. Fill the bag with popcorn and then tie them off with a rubberband and some ribbon. I am gonna add a spider ring to mine, but that is optional. If you don't want to make them yourself, you can buy them on ETSY from this seller.
So now you know a little bit of what I have been up to. I had a hot date with Lonnie last night that included 4 haunted houses. I HATE haunted houses. He LOVES haunted houses. Oh the things we do for love. Anyway, that finally got me motivated to get ready for Halloween. What are you making for Halloween Parties? I'd love to know what has worked well for you, especially for young children. Any suggestions?

Fuddy Dud...

It is official. My child is a fuddy dud. For the second Halloween in a row Walker has opted out of dressing up. He has now convinced his younger brother that it is not fun to dress up either. Now what 3 year old do you know that does not like to play dress up? I used to spend FOREVER deciding what I was gonna be for Halloween. Not Walker. For the second Halloween in a row he is gonna go as himself . Not very exciting, but I guess he plays "Walker" well. The really funny thing is, he roars like a dinosaur, or barks like a dog at the people when they ask what he is. He just won't actually "dress up".

Walker the dinosaur...

Walker and Thomas Micheal at Mama's house before we started trick or treating.

I was originally gonna dress Connor as an elephant. As you can see that did not work. Walker said he did not want Connor to be an elephant, and the fit ensued. Connor was not about to wear that costume if Walker did not think it was cool.

I managed to dress Connor as a pirate. The bandana was a little tricky, but I really think he forgot he had it on after a while.

Connor LOVED this neighbors dog, and I think she loved Con too. YUCK!

We rode the golf cart around the neighborhood and gave out candy while we trick or treated.

It got unusually cold for SC, so the boys covered up.

At the end of the night we sat in the driveway and gave out the rest of the candy from the golf cart. Fun was had by one and all!

Fall Festival...

We went to the fall festival today for our cousin Gracie's elementary school. It was naptime, and the boys were horrible. I was reminded why we don't skip naps. Anywho, Connor did get to sit in a firetruck, and I think it was the highlight of his little life. He has talked about it all day. I thought I would share a couple of pics from our day before trick or treating...

Connor and Gracie. She is so proud of him.

Connor in the firetruck.

Gracie in her vampire teeth.

Aunt Virginia got the boys a Halloween treat bag. Walker was the most excited about his chicken noodle soup. He loves that stuff.

Connor digging in his treat bag.

Needless to say, the boys are napping now so we can trick or treat later with 2 happy boys!