Halloween 2005 - BEST EVER!!

WOW!!! What a wonderful time we had for Halloween this year!!!!
Emmett and I couldn't believe that we actually had SO much more fun with Halloween as parents than we did doing the adult Halloween parties. We just had so much fun it was amazing.

Thomas was uncharacteristically easy to deal with which was a huge bonus. He didn't whine too much about getting his make up on, his costume or the hat or anything else and he didn't clamor constantly to be carried - I think he was just in awe of the whole thing.

First off, I'd have to say that in a city where only 19% of households have children, we must have picked the best neighborhood in the city because it was FULL of kids last night. It was like a genuine Halloween, the kind I remember from my childhood. No mall BS - I hate that! But a real old-fashioned neighborhood Halloween with the houses all decorated and no cars and kids running around everywhere and people outside passing out candy - all of it. Everything that you think about when you think about traditional Halloween. AND - as an extra bonus, I must say I was surprised (and a little bit delighted) that Thomas got ALL traditional Halloween candy - no organic stuff, no high end boutique candy (people trying to one-up the neighbors or something), no fruit - he got nothing weird or healthy haha. 100% Hersey bars, Snickers, Reece's, and all that. He did get one Quaker granola bar, but even it was covered in chocolate.

Emmett actually wore his "Great Big Jack O Latern" costume - it was absolutely hilarious. These two women were commenting on how it "takes a real man to wear that costume" - which cracked me up - so true! :-) Emmett said it takes a "real father" maybe and I'll give him that it was a true labor of love that he wore that costume because Thomas said he wanted him to be a "Great Big Jack 'O Latern". Of course, I found a costume that made it even more embarassing than it needed to be, but he wore it. I was very impressed.

I got off easy because Thomas asked me to be a plain 'ole witch. Cool. I scored a cool witch dress for $3.50 at the Savers Thrift store and a way cool fancy witch hat with feathers at Walgreens for $7.99 and - voila! - witch. I did add some funky orange and black striped thigh highs and some green make - up, but still got by for less than $20 and absolutely NO effort. Thomas's costume didn't cost much (how lucky am I that he chose to be scarecrow?!) - but I did put in some effort to make it. I made patches for some old overalls that he had and then got some raffia (sp?) for the straw and attached it to the sleeves and legs of his clothes. I took this straw hat that Thomas picked out at Savers and added some leaves and birds. It was fun and he got lots of compliments on his costume which was fun. I think it's a good thing that Emmett goads me into making homemade costumes for Thomas. Every year I get tempted to just find something online, buy it and be done and every year I end up making the costume at home. I AM improving at it, though. Hopefully by next year I'll have acquired some sewing skills and can sew something for him. It was funny that Saturday night I was making his costume and Emmett was sitting watching TV, Thomas was in bed. I commented on how it was good that he talked me into making it (I had seen a couple on EBay and been oh so tempted!) and he had the good taste to be self-deprecating about the fact that he insists on the homemade costume and then sits lounging in front of the TV while I do all the work. I laughed, it was nice that he acknowledged that, but I actually REALLY enjoy having a creative project. There is so rarely time these days to utilize my creativity. I also have to be honest and admit that I like the props I get for his costume when we're out. I was preening like a peacock when we were out trick or treating. LOL :-)

Anyway, it was just so much fun and we got to meet so many neighbors. A truly awesome Halloween - the best I've had since childhood.

I added some photos to this posting because for one thing I am getting SO bad about added photos to the web site - ugh! I have SO many pictures to add. I still keep making noise about doing more photography for art, but that's along with about 100 other projects I'm working on right now. So much to do, so little time!

Well, gotta run. Hope everyone out there had a safe and happy Halloween.

Love,

Melissa