Halloween

We had three phases to the Halloween holiday: Cub Scouts Halloween Party, school Harvest Festival, and Halloween Night.

Cub Scout Halloween Party
It was conference week at school during the time of the boys' Cub Scout Halloween Party, so when the boys came home early we skipped homework and instead carved pumpkins. This was the first year where Clifford completely cleaned and carved his pumpkin on his own! I was very impressed. I still had to help Kristjan out. But their pumpkins turned out very nicely. Clifford did a skull and Kristjan did a sorcerer. Later that evening I cooked up a Halloween-themed dinner. On the menu was spooky punch, pumpkin spaghetti, mummy dogs and ghostly strawberries. The boys loved it and thought I was an awesome mom! Pete had to leave shortly after dinner to go help set up the party while I stayed behind to get the boys in their costumes. Clifford was a zombie Santa and Kristjan was a vampire Easter Bunny. They came up with these ideas themselves back in April. And let us tell you, they were a hit!! I really thought we'd have to deal with upset parents, but instead we were given compliments on the awesome costume ideas. At the scout party, the boys had fun playing games and eating cookies after receiving their awards during the Pack Meeting. It was a long Wednesday night, having to help clean up after the party, help take back the decorations to one of the adult's home, and then scrub the makeup off the boys before bed. Phase One: Complete!

School Harvest Festival
Two days after the scout party was the school's Harvest Festival. The day was spent with me helping to set up the gym, Pete helping with set up of the Haunted Hallway and the boys running around playing with friends on the playground. We had enough time before the event started for us to run home and get boys in their costumes. We returned back at the school right as it started. It was a great turn out. Pete and I helped out at various spots while the boys ran around collecting candy at the various game booths. When it was all over, Pete helped with taking down the Haunted Hallway while I helped count money with the Treasurer. We were all exhausted and couldn't wait to go to bed. Phase Two: Done!

Halloween Night
Finally, Halloween Night itself finally arrived!! It was the third and last time to apply makeup and put on costumes. Hallelujah! Earlier in the day Pete and I volunteered in both boys' classrooms for an art project. Their teachers decided to work together by taking half of each class into their own. There were treats, an owl craft and a leaf craft. All the kids had a great time. Then that evening we were invited to our friends Shane and Sherri's for dinner, drinks and trick-or-treating. There were a few other families in attendance as well that we know from school and scouts, making it for a great time and lots of laughs. All the kids made out like bandits with loads full of candy. Per tradition, boys were able to keep a small portion of candy while sacrificing the rest to the Pumpkin King in exchange for a gift. Phase Three: Over!