Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Happy Halloween

There is never just one day of Halloween at the Medina household. This is almost a week festivity, with usually more than one costume. Of course if I had my way, we just sit at home and pass out candy, and be done. But the kids love, love, love...did I say love their candy.

Our first pass is Trunk or Treat at our church. The kids dress up in costume, go to the church parking lot, and go trick-or-treating out of the trunks of the cars...hense TRUNK or Treat. We start off with a small dinner...this year it's navajo tacos...YUM, and smokey rootbeer. This year we also had a member come out and DJ, so the kids were dancing in the streets. Then they finish the night Trunk or Treating, over and over, until their bags are stuffed. They have so much fun, and we know the candy is safe.
Our second pass is Big Nana's nursing home. The kids and grandkids of all the elderly in the home come and go trick or treating up and down the halls. They have a spooky story time and costume contest in the main living room. The elderly men and women just love this time of year, to be able to see all the kids in their costumes...especially their loved ones. Big Nana was so excited to see Joseph and the kids, she couldn't stop crying. When she hugged Joseph, she wouldn't let go. She didn't want him to leave. It even brought a tear to my son, Caleb's eyes. He was very moved. The girls did a few cheers for Big Nana, and we visited a while. It breaks my heart to see her so lonely. We really need to visit her more often.Our third pass is the kids school's Character Celebration. The kids have to dress up like a character from their favorite book. I was not about to go out and buy yet, another costume just for this event. So, we dug for our "books" to match their costumes, and away they went. It is only for the 1st-6th graders, so Abigail didn't get to participate. As you can see, we went the easy way out, and stuck with what they already had...sports uniforms :) Caleb's class had a party as well that day, where they went from station to station, building scarecrows, skeletons, pumpkin race, frosting cookies, and pumpkin pie eating contest. Caleb's team won the skeleton contest...
And our last but definitely not least pass....the actual Halloween night. At this point, they had already had plenty of candy, so no need to trick or treat a ton. We did go up and down our street and one other street. Caleb only went down our street, then came home and played catch with dad, who was handing out candy at our home. We hung out, in front, passing out candy, listening to music, and playing catch, until the streets died down. Then finished the night back in the house, counting and separating the candy. We don't let them keep all of their candy, so we separate it, letting them keep some of their favorites. Then the rest goes back in the pantry for occassional snacking. All in all, it was a very fun and festive week for the kids. And I'm ready for it to be over...lol

2 comments:

Shari said...

This was the year that I finally came to terms with the fact that I hate Halloween and that I'm not a horrible Mom because of it.

I try to get into it, for the kids, but it is the most exhausting time EVER!

So excited to see a new post. Love the pics of your cute kids.

Lisa said...

WOW sounds like a fun week! ;) I am glad the kids had so much fun!