Halloween

I'm kind of a Halloween Scrooge, I think. It's fun, but I think it's way over done. I was over it by last Thursday after having the party in my class at Red Bell and going to Haunted Hallways at Miller Elementary that evening. The teachers totally get into it and decorate their hallways according to their theme. 3rd grade was Minions, so Austin's teacher was dressed up like a minion and kindergarten was scarecrows and pumpkins. Erik's teacher was a scarecrow. The kids trick or treat throughout the whole school.  I thought that was sufficient fun and we all got candy and we could have ended it there and gone onto Thanksgiving. Needless to say, we still had more celebrating to do, plus the actual trick or treating itself. We carved and decorated pumpkins for a long time on Saturday (which was way fun) and got lots of pumpkin seeds to roast (yum!) and went to our ward party that evening. We always get lots of candy there. Monday evening Victoria went to her school Halloween party. Tuesday was the big day with class parties at a the elementary schools and a parade at Gallimore (Karissa's school). Miller doesn't do a parade anymore because of the Haunted Hallways.The elementary schools also have a half day. They purposely plan a staff meeting that day, knowing it's a useless day at school anyhow.

At the pumpkin patch.

Haunted Hallways

Carving pumpkins

Masterminds at work

Before the ward party with Bethany (Victoria is a "smartie" pants, Erik a ghost, Austim is Mario, Bethany a hippie, and Karissa an 80's zombie.)

I went as a Mongolian and Jason went as a Chilean.

Painted pumpkins

  Karissa went home on the bus with Olivia so she could trick or treat in her new neighborhood with her. She was gone the entire day! I picked her up when they were counting their candy. She got some good stuff, though!

Halloween spirit

Before school 

Karissa's cat pumpkin

The boys were at a friend's house for about an hour until I got off at Red Bell. They got to relax at home before going trick or treating. We ended up meeting Austin's friend Kaleb who lives down the street, and his brothers. Our usual trick or treat tradition of going with Bethany and Cathy from next door, might be coming to an end. Everyone is growing up. Victoria went with her friend Emma in her neighborhood and Bethany went with some other friends as well. (They are still good friends, btw, just trying to keep up in their social groups.) Cathy walked around with me for a little while, though. We needed to catch up! After we were done, the boys and I went to Cathy's church on the corner for some games and prizes (more candy). It was fun, but I don't like Halloween on a week night. We need to petition that it be changed to the last Friday or Saturday in October, seriously. 

Victoria and Emma

Luke jumped into Victoria's bag after she dumped her candy out.

It was fun, and now it's over. Make room for turkey!