The End Of An Era

I guess I should start of this post with a huge... "HAPPY HALLOWEEN"!!

What do you have planned tonight? Trick or treating? A party? Scary movie night? Or do you just see Halloween as another Friday night? This Halloween really is the end of an era for me. It is the first year where I will not be partaking in the traditional night of getting Aalliyah all dressed up and taking her out trick or treating. It was always such an exciting night for her. I used to love watching the excitement on her face all day building up to Halloween night, much like the excitement of Christmas eve! I would paint her face in some "undead and bloody" fashion and we would venture outside. It didn't matter that it was freezing, dark and sometimes raining . She would go door to door braving all the elements filling up her goody bag. More often than not her cousin would come along and they always had a tradition of going home emptying all their loot and setting up there own swap shop. Two little business people exchanging sweets and chocolate like stocks and bonds.

Aalliyah is 12 in February and while there are many kids that still go trick or treating her age (and older in some cases) its clear she is now just too old for the whole trick or treating experience. I find it really sad as it is just another reminder that she is inevitably growing up. Having said that I cannot be sad for too long, as she is growing up into a wonderful young lady and her unselfish nature meant tonight she wanted nothing more than to stay home and give out sweeties to all the children that will come knocking. She was as excited to do this than she had been to go out trick or treating herself in previous years and it was so lovely to see. Unfortunately I am working and wont be back until later on this evening so will be unable to enjoy this with here, so she is off down her nans tonight for "operation trick or treater's." 

What are you doing tonight? What ever it is I hope you have a wonderful time and above all else have fun and be safe!

Have a wonderful Halloween.

What Does Halloween Mean To You?

When you think of Halloween, what comes to mind? Scary movies? Trick or treating? Costume parties? Those with children will know that preparing for Halloween is as important as preparing for Christmas. Whether you are planning a party for the children or just simply taking them out trick or treating choosing the costume is always the high point of Halloween. My daughter starts planning her costume months before Halloween and will change her mind at least a dozen times before she is settled on a decision.

I remember Halloween being the most exciting night when I was younger. I would go out with my sister collecting sweets and treats and come home to the find the living room had been decorated with glow in the dark stars, moons and witches hats. We would be told scary stories which left me white as a ghost and convinced there was a witch in the kitchen. There would always be a terrifying movie on the TV. Something like Evil Dead or The Thing. Things that children should have never been allowed to watch but it was Halloween so the rules of parenting seem to change.

Things haven’t changed that much with my daughter. I carry on the traditions of Halloween from when I was younger. I decorate our flat for Halloween, we will always watch a few scary movies together and I will always without fail take her trick or treating. We have held Halloween parties before and sometimes the expense can seem to go on forever so it’s a good idea if you are planning a party to try and keep all costs to a minimum. Check out this great article on how to still have a great "Halloween on a budget".

When it comes to choosing an outfit, I always let Aalliyah decide what she wants to be and will gladly try and shop around to find her ideal outfit. More often than not it’s not only used on Halloween night but will used for special Halloween events/days at school also so I am guaranteed to get some good use out of it. I’ve found a few ideas in fancy dress ball’s costume section for girls, and most of the costumes are more light-hearted and fun rather than just being ghost costumes or monsters.

I don’t know if Aalliyah will like any of these specifically, but I am sure we’ll find something that’s not all too limiting, and what’s more, we could even win a prize for "Best Costume" if we post a picture of her in her chosen costume on their Facebook page.

I am still deciding on what to do this Halloween but whatever we choose to do I will make sure it’s “Spook-tacular”!

What do you have planned for this Halloween this year? I would love to hear some of your Halloween traditions.

**This post was in a collaboration with Fancydressball.co.uk 

Saturday Caption Day #Satcap

Its Saturday!! Which can only mean one thing.. Time to caption! Here is Aalliyah and "Dolly". For those of you who haven't read my previous post, Dolly was a dead, hung girl we made for our Halloween party. Here she is before we made her "dead" and "hung".

Head on over to Mammasaurus and have fun captioning more! I am spending the day repainting my lounge but will come on later to check out all the entries.

Halloween On A Budget - The Gallery - Frightful

I am always on the look out for a good deal and ways to save money, so the first thing that came to mind when I thought about Halloween, was what I could make myself. Having ran out of nearly everything crafty I decided to round up some household things and see what I could do.

This is Boo! He was made with an old sheet, a balloon and some string, and some markers or paints to create the face.

Start out with an olds sheet and very roughly draw a large circle made from zig zag patterns. Dont worry about being neat. Next cut out the design, be as rough as you like as it all adds to the jagged effect when hung. Next blow up a balloon, and cutting a small hole in the centre of the sheet, pull the balloon tie through and "voila" . Design your own face and then hang him up with some string. Very easy and very inexpensive.

We also made a hanging ghost face decoration, using pretty much the same method, but with a bin bag, then popped a spooky mask onto the balloon.

And then there's Dead Dolly, Not for the younger ones or the squeamish, but looks fantastic when the light is dimmed. Piece of cake to make. Took some old clothes, stuffed them with rolled up newspaper balls, taped on a balloon head and them finished off with a rope noose. Add a hat/shoes/socks or what ever you like at the end and don't forget to draw on a face.

Last but not least was my 10 second table cloth. Cut open an old pillowcase so its laid out flat, then get the kids to have fun with some fake blood. As you can see Aalliyah made scratch marks, drips, splats and even a hand print!

Have fun this Halloween and remember to stay save in whatever you do!

I am linking this post up with "The Gallery" this week as the word is frightful!

Head over to Sticky Fingers to view more entries.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Autumn Is Upon Us

Well it is official! No more blazing sunny says, perfect for barbecuing and getting the swimming pool out. Although we still have some beautiful sun, the air is so much colder and we are definitely on the path to Christmas.But that's still a while off yet so I will enjoy the Autumn months while I can. Aalliyah is very exited about Halloween as she is every year. We both love the Autumn time, summers over but not too cold to still enjoy a beautiful sunny stroll somewhere :-) So with that in mind Aalliyah decided to write a little poem all about... You guessed it Autumn! Only a little verse, but I loved it!

The sun is out, but it's still quite chilly.
I'm sitting on the ground watching a dying lilly.
I'm walking on leaves, so crispy and brown,
Scattered around all over the town.
Soon it will be Halloween.
Then it's time to hear the fireworks scream!

By Aalliyah Asante

What are your favourite things about Autumn? My top three have to be 1) The colours (Trees/leaves) 2) The fashion (All the knitwear and boots that come out) 3) Food! (Yummy comfort food to enjoy with your slippers on)