Halloween

Our Two Little Spooks - Winifred Witch & Big Al

We had another great Halloween night.  I hated that it was during the week.  My little Winifred Witch was ready in her costume early yesterday morning for school.  I just know when we picked her up that makeup would be everywhere along with her hair.  I was surprised that she didn't need a lot of touching up. 

The children didn't get to Trick-R-Treat much last night, but what they did was a lot of fun for them.  We have the area churches that have the annual Fall Festivals, but we like it old school.  Our neighborhood is good to cater to the children.  This was Big Al's first year to really get out there and beg for candy without help.  He was sooo FUNNY!  Maryann and I were giggling and laughing at the way he was acting.  He would go up to the houses and before knocking on the door, he would yell out "TRICK OR TREAT!"  Believe me, he found out REALLY quick that people at the door give you candy.  We went to an old school friend's house, which is an Auburn fan home.  Johnny saw Big Al and began picking at us and him.  Johnny made the mistake of saying, he won't give candy to an Alabama fan (laughingly).  Well, Big Al took that as a no candy. turned around. and was headed to the next house.  Maryann and I had a time explaining to him that he can get his candy.  I think it made Johnny feel bad.  GOOD.  ROLL TIDE! LOL!

She wanted a spiderweb on one cheek and bat on the other

How do you like my craftsmanship?  LOL!  She said that she wanted a Snow White.
We had a pretty good party at home.  A few of our family members got to come by for some Chicken and Dumplings, Homemade Veggie Soup, Spagetti and all the fixin's.  Let's not forget the owl cupcakes, chocolate dipped pretzel sticks and tons and tons of CANDY. 

Winifred Witch loved getting to stay up a little longer on a school night.  Her and Big Al acted like they were hiped up on candy.  Running around having a good time. 




Big Al wanted a ghost pumpkin.  I think he likes it.



He was goofing around.  I LOVE THIS PHOTO of him.











I tried making owl cupcakes.  Mine doesn't look as good as my friend, Malorie's, owl cupcakes.  I was also in a hurry.  I had two hours before everyone got here.



My hands get shaky when I take nighttime photos at slow shutter speed, but I love the effect.

Here is our newest little pumpkin.  He is such a doll baby.

I was wanting Maryann to take a picture of the kids.  I didn't know that she got me in the picture as well. 

We hope you just as much fun at your Halloween party as we did.  Now, on to Thanksgiving!  Please remember Christmas in Cullman is November 12th & 13th. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

My sisters and I  . . .

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Red Ribbon Week and Halloween Craft Ideas

My little diva hated to see last weekend end. As you know, she got to go home with her BFF, "A" after school Friday. Saturday, I brought A home with us because her parents were going to the game in T-town and she didn't want to go with them. We loved having her here. She is such a sweetie. Her and Diva stayed in Diva's room most of the day, watching movies, putting on plays, musicals, concerts and loved having Flash chase them all over the house. LOL!

This week is "Red Ribbon Week" at school. Each day the students do or wear something specific. Monday was red shirt day. Tuesday was Pajama Day (check out the picture). Today was crazy sock day. Tomorrow is hat day and Friday will be school spirit day. Next Monday (Halloween), the students are asked to dress up as a storybook character. Diva and I talked about dressing her up as Clara in "The Nutcracker," but she wanted to wear her witch's costume. So, Diva will be Winfred Witch in the storybook "Winfred Witch and Her Very Own Cat." The students will get to take their storybook with them to school to share, which I think is neat.

It is cool in the mornings, you can tell it in this picture.

My babies in their jammies.

All month, I kept forgetting to put our custom made CD of Halloween music in my vehicle for us to listen to in the mornings. I think I'm kind of glad because that's all my children want to listen to as soon as they step inside the car. There are a total of 17 different songs (Devil Went Down To Georgia, Who Can It Be Now?, Weird Science, Thriller, Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, Maniac, Halloween Theme, etc.) We began playing our special Halloween music last weekend. Flash insists that we play 3 out of the 17 songs over and over. They are "Monster Mash", "Ghostbusters", and "Thriller". I remember Diva was the same way at that age. Now that she's a little older she is beginning to like the other songs more, but not Flash.

Flash is doing well with his color names. He gets them a little mixed up at times, but he is very eager to learn. He is putting together 10-12 piece puzzles on his own with very little help. He loves to play games. I have him match an object with it's silhouette. Then, we match same color objects, to practice with same color concept. He does real good with these games. I introduced to him, paint markers. Oh my gosh! He loves them and I like them because they are washable and not so messy, plus it's a good way to teach color recognition.

With help, he can count to 10. By using the markers, I'm trying to get him to count to 5 on his own. He gets a little confused, but he is getting there.

I just haven't had much time or money to do a whole lot of Halloween crafts this year. But I can share the great ideas with you.

by Trey and Lucy
I thought about making these sweetie with Diva's class, but I forgot that I had already printed out the labels for the treat bags.  After that I haven't had time to make them.  There's always next year.

by Parent Magazine
On the way to school, one resident has her dancing ghost in a circle just off her hill.  So cute and I've wanted to do the same thing now for a couple years.  Oh well. 

by Miner Moments
I LOVE this idea and had so hoped to have the time and money to do it.  PRECIOUS! 

by Parents Magazine
This looks so simple, but I just don't have the time to make them.  It will just have to make my list next year.

by Everyday Is a Crafting Day
This was on my list last year.  I even made sure to have my cheese cloth in stock, but no ghost yet.  Ugh!

For other great ideas for Halloween or other upcoming Holidays, you can find them on Pinterest.  I am absolutely addicted to Pinterest.  A lot of my family and friends have also joined Pinterest.  It's a great place to find and pin all of the things you LOVE. Happy Pinning!

The Skeleton Bone Dance

Colton told he liked this a lot and agreed that we should put it on our blog for this Halloween week.

Katie Stays the Night

Katie and "A" dressing up for the ball

I've enjoyed getting to know "A's" momma. She is so sweet and we seem to have quite a bit in common. Yesterday, the girls had a field trip. The class went around (walking) visiting the Police station, power company, and distributed canned goods to organizations that will make sure it goes to the needy. Us parents met up with the children at the area park for a picnic lunch. A's mom and I texted each other until we got to the park. By the time I got to the park, I had enough time to play catch up with a few of the parents that are friends of mine. I was so glad that A's mom got to place their picnic blankets next of ours, so we could talk. We just didn't have enough time.

I've never seen such happy little girls because they have planned this sleepover for a week. This maybe sad, but this is the first time Katie's slept over at one of her friend's house, that is not a relative. She has been aggravating me for the past couple of days about what she is going to take and stressing over who will be picking her up. Too funny.

Of course, a few times tonight I've been wondering what the girls are doing. Is Katie using her good manners? She is like any other kid and forgets them from time to time. LOL! I've enjoyed A's mom sending me pictures of the girls having a great time.

Oh me!

My sweet princess!

It was so strange not picking Katie up after school today. Get this, I even got to take a 15 minute nap. This never happens! So nice. I'm going to have to do something special for M, A's mom. She just doesn't know what an angel she is. LOL! So, what did I do with all this free time. Just me and Colt. Well, I finished up a couple of my Halloween gift projects.

This is for Katie's teacher.  Kind of a Halloween "Teacher Appreciation" gift.

The cup is an 24 oz. insolated plastic cup filled with assorted chocolates and candies.  It's decorated with a Halloween bow and label.  Yes,  I actually put together the decoration.  I got the idea from Blackberry Vine.  I printed the label about a month ago and already punched out the label with my cutter.  I'm pretty sure that I got the label from either Living Locurto, The Celebration Shoppe, or The Tomkat Studio.  I honestly can not find it in any of my bookmarks, so if it is yours let me know.  For the black part of the label, I cut  2 - 1 1/2" strips of black cardstock paper.  Folded the paper accordion style and cut off the tail at the end.  I placed a small strip of double-sided tape to both ends and attached both strips of paper together.  It should look like a zig-zag circle.  Once you have the paper down on a flat surface, tape the "Happy Halloween" label to the black cardstock and then tape it to the bow.  Yay!  I love it.  

I helped Katie put these together for her classmates at school.  There are a whole lot more, but I only have a few for the photo.  I made all the kids Halloween bookmarks by using clipart from The Toymaker.  He has a lot of neat things that you can print out on paper/cardstock.  All I did was save his clipart bookmarks and then by using Photoshop, I added the sayings: "Happy Halloween" and "Spooky" for examples.  I printed them out on cardstock paper.  I think they turned out cute.  Katie likes them.  I stuffed all the candies, bookmarks and stickers in sandwich baggies.  I stapled the cute trick 'r treat labels on top.  You can print the same design for several other party supplies through The Celebration Shoppe.  I just loved this theme last year and had to use it this year for something.

Harvest Season Spirit

Now that I made my first ghost, I wanted to be creative with the second one.  This time, I supported the frame by adding more wire, from a cut wire hanger.  I also added a more frilly bow with furry boa and hair bow. 

I've been a little busy, decorating for Harvest Season.  It's amazing how you put out a few things and it gets you into a great spirit.  A table full of different sized gourds and pumpkins.  I still plan on making some salt dough characters and spooky trees.  Where I'm going to put them?  I have NO idea!  LOL!  Would someone like them? LOL! My hanging "Halloween Greetings" card, I purchased from one of my favorite stores "World Market." 

The "Trick or Treat" beggers and haunted house with graveyard, I purchased from Big Lots for $7 each.  I absolutely fell in love with them. 

I must tell you that you will have to start checking into Eighteen25 beginning tomorrow for all the Halloween craft and cooking ideas Link Up Party.  I'm thinking about sharing my crafts this year.  What do you think?  I know last year, I had so much fun at their Halloween Link Up Party.  I posted a couple of my crafts, but I received so many other inspirations.  I encourage you to link up, browse, and just have good fun.

Oh and I guess you can see from the photo above, I finally received my Bama Cross today.  Don't you just LOVE IT?!?  I'm so tickled.  A sweet sweet lady from Mississippi makes all kinds of these crosses for a living.  She makes all sizes.  Mine is considered large and is perfect for the front door.  Instead of displaying on my front door, I've got it in my hallway because I didn't want to take down my Halloween wreath that I just made.  Mrs. D had my cross ready for quite sometime.  Unfortunately at the time that she was ready to ship it to me, her son had an accident.  Isn't that awful?  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  I asked her if he was doing better, but she hasn't given me a response back.  If you are interested in purchasing one of these crosses (in any color), please leave me a comment along with your name and web address and I would be glad to get you in connect with Mrs. D. 
Happy Harvest!

Black Boa Halloween Wreath

Well, I finally finished my Halloween wreath. I just love it! The only thing is my guests will be able to see at the door and not so much at the driveway. I guess that's what I get for having a dark colored wood door. LOL! I've had a few sweet compliments, but again I had to bring it to my guests attention.

What you need:
16" straw wreath
7 black feather boas
Floral pins
Ribbon
Halloween decorations to your taste

I didn't take the plastic off the straw wreath because I knew that the straw would end up all over my floor.  My first 2 feather boas were shedding everywhere before I could finish the wreath.  The next 5 boas, I picked up the fur feather boas.  They were thinner, but seemed to work better.  The poor clerk at my Hobby Lobby tried to get me to purchase the individual feathers, after I explained to her what I needed the boas for.  Now, let me ask you one thing.  Can you imagine me hot glue each individual feather to this wreath?  I'm not out of my mind.  After I realized that she was serious, I shut my mouth.  Thanked her and purchased the fur feather boas.  That's why I had to use so many boas, but so worth it.  I just wrapped the boas around the wreath and secured it with the floral pins.   I tied a decorative ribbon at the top for hanging purposes and made a bow on the wreath with the ribbon left over.  Have fun decorating! 

The wreath shown at my front door. 

Lighted Ghosts

Light up your Halloween by making this ghost for your front door.  This ghost was fun and simple to make.  I plan on making one more ghost to greet our little Trick-or-Treaters.  Katie hasn't seen this ghost yet and she is going to flip out in the morning. 

You can make this ghost too.
 
All you need are:
Twin size white flat sheet
Sheet of black felt
Tomato cage
100 count white Christmas lights
Black Ribbon
Glue gun
Safety pins
Scissors
Duck Tape
Needle nose pliers
Wire cutters

1. Take your tomato cage with top down (flat side) and stakes sticking straight up.
2. Bend the metal stakes slightly to make a round head for our ghost greeter.
3. Duck tape the stakes securely at the top, forming the ghost's head. 
4. Begin securely (using cable ties) stringing your lights around the metal cage. Begin at the bottom first.  I followed the wire all around and up and down.  There's no wrong or correct way of doing this.
5. Cut all the tails left on the cable ties.  Making it nice and neat.
6. Fold your twin sheet in half.
7. Drape it over the frame.
8. Once you've equally created your ghost's body.  Tuck in the sides and safety pin them.  This secures the ghost's shape and keeps from the lights being exposed.
9. Free hand draw an eye and mouth template.  I made mine approximately a 4 inch oval shape with a triangle inside cut, to make it look like the ghost was looking off to his side.  Gives it character.
10. For the mouth, I cut a 4 1/2 inch oval shape. 
11. Lay the templates (eye & mouth) on top of the black felt.  Secure it with a safety pin.
12. Cut out 2 eyes and 1 mouth.
13. Hot glue them onto the ghost's body.
14. Tie a black ribbon around the ghost's neck area.  To keep it secure place a dot of hot glue on the sheet and press the ribbon on to it. 

Viola! 

There are other ways to make this ghost out of the tomato cages.  If you don't want to see the lights in the head portion, you can simply stick a large round styrofoam ball in the stakes.  The styrofoam ball becomes the ghost's head.  I didn't want to use the styrofoam because I wanted to see the ghost's face all lite-up. 

For arms, simply cut some durable wire and twist around the metal part of the cage on both sides.  With your pliers, curl your wire around so it won't poke out so much.  This makes the sheet stick out a little more. 

You can also apply wire legs for the ghosts to be a little taller, probably a plant stand or set it on top of an upside down pot.  Remember the sheet covers what's underneath. 

There really is no wrong way to create your friendly ghost.  So create and have fun with it. 

More crafts in the making:
Black Boa Wreath
                                                            . . . stay tuned!

Let Your Light Shine This Autumn

Sure, it's fun to dress up and go from door to door receiving candy. But is there a different meaning to celebrate Halloween. Did Historical Christians take part in celebrating or honoring All Hallows Eve?

The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Today, All Hallows Eve is seen as a night of pagan rituals, but it has Christian roots. All Hallows Eve or Halloween is a time to honor the saints, the living and the dead. All Hallows Eve literally means the eve or day before all "holy ones" (hallows). The Lord’s Prayer, used by many Christians, contains the phrase, “hallowed be thy name.” Medieval Christians hallowed, or honored, not only God, but also all the saints who worked for God’s work in the world and glorified the Church with their prayers and service.

Skeletons decorate walls and scenes for Halloween today, but the original Halloween skeletons were bodies of holy Christian men and women.

Early Christians gathered bones and remains of their dead and honored them with special prayers and devotions. Christians began celebrating the Feast of All Martyrs and its vigil during the fourth century to honor all Christians who had died for their faith (martyrs).

Despite King Louis and Pope Gregory IV’s intentions, Samhain ("Sow" "en") traditions such as trick-or-treating, dressing in costumes, and pranks continue to be a part of Halloween celebrations.

Catholics and other Christians observe All Saints Day on November 1, and some honor the vigil of this feast, All Hallow’s Eve, with prayer and reflection for the saints.

In order to keep this special day holy, offer thanks and prayers to God. Here are a few October prayers and dinner grace.

"God of time and timelessness, thank you for a new month, October. Please bless us in all that we do this month [one may insert significant activities occurring during October such as birthdays, children's concerts, tests, or projects at work.] As this month begins and continues, let us notice Your changing creation around us and rejoice in the goodness of Your world. Amen."

Christians historically celebrated the Eve of All Saint's Day, known as All Hallow's Eve or later Halloween, with candles and prayers to honor the saints. The following prayer invites God to bless all who celebrate All Hallow's Eve as well as the saints who glorify God in heaven and on earth:

"God of heaven and earth, thank you for all Your saints who serve you and glorify Your name, especially [insert names of saints and other Christian friends and family if desired.] As we notice the celebrations around us, let us remember Halloween's basis in You, that we may celebrate Your goodness in the world, this day and always. Amen."

A family might light a candle and share this prayer together on Halloween to honor God and all the saints who have served God's church.

October is a month of beauty, cool weather, and many blessings from God. With prayer, a Christian can honor the passage of time this October and always.


Do you remember me carving this last year's Halloween? If not, HERE is the post for Halloween 2010. The glasses were my mother's special touch.  LOL!  You'll also find the Pumpkin Carving Prayer posted on last year's Halloween as well. 


This year, 1+1+1=1 posted a really cool free template regarding the Christian Pumpkin.  So precious!  My kids did their Christian Pumpkin today and wanted to share it with you tonight.  I simply printed out the cute printables and had my children color and glue the symbols onto their pumpkin.  I read the pumpkin gospel to them as they created their Christian pumpkins.  We have them displayed in our windows for everyone to see.  I really love this and wanted to share it with you.  Thank you 1+1+1=1! 


Pumpkin Gospel
I am a Jack O' Lantern
My lights will shine so bright
For I'm a Christian pumpkin
My symbols tell what's right

My nose is like the cross
On which our Savior died
To set us free from sin
We need no longer hide

My mouth is like a fish
The whole wide world to show
That Christians live in this house
And love their Savior so!

The story starts at Christmas
My eyes are like the star
That shone on Baby Jesus
And wise men saw from far

My color it is orange
Just like the big bright sun
That rose on Easter Day
Along with God's own Son

And so on Halloween
Let's set our pumpkins out
And tell the trick or treaters
What God's love is all about!


I love reading "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" to my children.  We've only just checked it out from the Library, but I think we should add it to our own Library at home.  If you haven't read it, I highly recommend.  You won't regret it. 

1+1+1=1 also offers a Pumpkin Patch Parable printable activity for you and your children to read and color.  Just CLICK HERE!
For more awesome Christian Fall Books, CLICK HERE!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

Resource:
 Suite 101;
Grace To You
1+1+1=1

Happy Halloween Y'all!

I've been reading a few little Halloween weekend adventures today from other bloggers. What great stories and adventures!  It was a beautiful weekend for such long Halloween. I don't know about you, but I've been one TIRED momma. We did have a fun filled weekend, but I would love to take a long nap.

I've got lots of pictures and stories to tell, so hold on girls.

Candy Corn Tree

Katie found this stick at Peggy's house. It was perfect for a Candy Corn Tree, so Katie was all for me making her one. It turned out pretty cute. I thought the spiderwebs was a nice touch. Haha! It was Katie's surprise when she got home that afternoon.

I never heard anything from Katie's teacher or the homeroom mom about having a Halloween party for the children.  I knew it was against the rules of the school safety, to make cupcakes and other treats from home.  I ordered these cute cupcakes from Walmart and took them to Katie's class.  We just made it our party anyway.  All of the children got to wear their Halloween costumes to school.  It was cute!  Katie was eating it up, getting to dress up.  I didn't know if I was going to be able to get her hair fixed and get her to school in time.  But here she is, my beautiful little Thumbelina.

She absolutely loved being Thumbelina this year. She was all grins when I agreed to put a little blush and eye shadow on her. Of course, she had to have a little sparkly lip gloss and sparkle spray in her hair.   I wanted to take pictures outside because they just seem to look better than in the house.  Plus, I won't have piles of toys or stuff in the background.  LOL!  I can't stand clutter. 

Katie's spot 

Little goblins running all over the class

Everyone listening to Mrs. M's instructions

I think they had a nice little party and everyone got a few bags of treats from classmates.

Momma and her Charlie Brown

Halloween Eve

Our mayor declared Saturday or Halloween Eve the offical Trick or Treat night.  Which I was relieved because I wanted Katie to get the real experience of Trick or Treating.  In the past, I've always just taken her around to family for Trick or Treating and of course there's our church's Fall Festival.  This year would mark her first real Halloween and I wanted her's to be a great experience.  As a child, I never had a real great experience.  I was always so scaried and shy.  I didn't want that for Katie.

We invited a few people over, just family, for a pot of chicken and dumplings.  After supper, us ladies got the kids dressed up in their costumes and went Trick or Treating.  But first, I have to show you our Prayer Pumpkin.  Take a look!

 
Pumpkin Carving Prayer

Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)

Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)

Open my eyes so Your love I will see;
(Cut the eyes out in heart shapes)

I'm so sorry for turning up my nose to all you've given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross)

Open my ears so your word I will hear.
(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible)-we did rectangles

Open my mouth so I can tell others You're near
(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)

Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.
(Place a candle inside and light it)

Katie loves our pumpkin because it has heart eyes.  She's so funny.  I have to say that it did turn out pretty.  I cut out templates from pieces of paper.  Taped them on the hulled out pumpkin and began cutting them out. 

Spider Cupcakes

Here are the cupcakes, I promised Katie I would make for her on Halloween. She had to help me out that is until she got tired of having to wash her hands everytime she'd forget and get her hands dirty. A few of them, she helped put the eyes on the spiders.

Table is ready for the party

Colton checking out the Prayer Pumpkin

What's this?

Momma's little goblins ~ ready to go Trick or Treating

Our Trick or Treating experience didn't start out too good because of some kid that wanted to have a little fun.

As we were going from house to house around the neighborhood, we spotted a kid dressed up as Michael Myers from "Halloween" and he was trying to be cute. He was walking up the middle of the street in full costume including the bloody fake knife. There were other older kids, in a group, going from house to house. I just figured he was with them and would leave us alone. You know, since we have practicely babies with us. NOPE! NADA! Katie didn't know what to think and buddy her radar works just fine. She didn't keep her eyes off him for one second. She knew something wasn't right. That kid ended up following us, from a distance, to two houses. He didn't say anything and he kept walking stiff. He stayed with the whole "Halloween" character. Really weird. By the time we got back in the car, we were ready to get out of there. I think all of us girls were a little freaked out by this kid. Unfortunately, he nearly ruined Katie's Halloween. As we stopped to the next house a block down the road, no where near the Michael Myers, Katie announced that she had enough candy and was ready to go home. I got her brave enough to get out of the car. She held Maryann's hand, while I had Colton. Next thing I know, I heard Katie crying and having a fit. She stopped in her tracks and wasn't going any further. We tried our best to explain that some dumb kid thought he was being funny. She wasn't buying it. At that point, I could have gone back over to Michael Myers and cleaned his plow for scaring her.

Me being the person I am, I didn't want this to be Katie's last Trick or Treating experience. I didn't want her to be afraid when there's nothing to be afraid of. She was really upset and I debated on if we needed to go back home and throw in the towel, but call me a hard head. I wasn't giving up. I told her that we would just drive around and see the sights. We went over to one of my favorite neighborhoods and ran into a couple of ladies we knew. Thank the dear Lord because at first, Katie wanted nothing to do with getting out and going up to some house for candy. Forget it! After some enticing, we convinced her to go. I knew the home owners and got to telling them about our terrible experience. I didn't know it, but Katie got upset again. Maryann took her back to the vehicle while I finished talking to Patty. Katie announced again, she was ready to go home. She had candy at home and didn't want anymore. She even added that Colton was ready to go home as well. I didn't say anything and we drove around. When I came across Virginia's house, it was decorated so pretty. I told Katie that I just wanted to take her picture. Hey, anything to get her out there and warmed up. After visiting with Virginia for a little bit, Katie was finally feeling good and ready to find another house to see their decorations. YES! Thank you dear God above.

I have to tell you this one house we went to was FUNNY. By this time, Katie's good. She has long forgotten about Michael Myers. We knocked on this one really pretty home and who should answer the door, but Michael Jackson. HAHA! His daddy was dressed up like Obama that had a big sign on his shirt that read "VOTE REPUBLICAN." LOL! It hit my funnybone just right. When we told MJ Happy Halloween, Katie turned to me and Maryann and with a puzzled look she asked "that was another Michael?" As to say, how many Michael's are there?

We were going to stop at another area, but as soon as I spotted another Michael Myers, I drove right on by. We were not going through that again. Katie spotted him and asked if that was Michael with the white face. I just acted like I didn't know what she was talking about.

Front porch of a former co-worker ~ her house was decorated so cute.  Katie had a fit over it.  Virginia had to show Katie how all of the decorations worked.

Katie sitting on Virginia's porch

Katie goes to her first Haunted House

O.K. me saying this I have to clarify myself. A home owner purchased one of these huge $300 haunted house inflatables and placed it in their driveway. Katie had a fit and had to go see it. She told Whitney, "now that was fun!"  So, they had to go through it a few more times.  Our little girl got braver and braver as the night grew on.  She even walked up to a house that had an adult man dressed up as Shrek.  He played the character perfectly.  He had the accent down pat.  Maryann asked him where his donkey was and he played right along, telling us that he has been looking for his donkey and can't find him.  Katie ate it up. 

Whitney and Katie getting candy

Overall, I think Katie had a great time Trick or Treating for the first time. We let her stay up until 10:00, which is a big treat for her. She was bouncing off walls. I guess it was all the candy. Doug said we only had 5 Trick or Treaters come to our door.

Tonight was our Fall Festival at church, we were so tired. Katie didn't like the fact that she missed it, but I think she understands. She got some money from her grandma and grandpa for Halloween. I told her we would go shopping next weekend, if nothing came up. We could go anywhere she wants to go. It would be just her and I. She liked that idea.

I hope you enjoyed our Halloween weekend story.  It was a blast and am so glad that I've got another 365 days to prepare for next years.  LOL!  Now, we've got to get prepared for Thanksgiving.  YAY!  Katie had me read "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving" to her and Colton as their bedtime story tonight.  She announced that Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday.  Ugh!