Monthly Archives: October 2008
The Day Has Arrived
Ahhhh, the day has finally arrived. My kids can finally relax and know that their candy awaits them this evening. They can quit waking up in the morning and asking “Is it Halloween Mommy”. Thank goodness it’s arrived, it was almost anticipated as much as Christmas. Lord help me when Christmas is around the corner. Back to Halloween – I found two pails in the Target $1 section, one’s a ghost and the other is a pumpkin, I hung them on their doorknobs with a few special goodies in there. Just a nice little surprise for each of them.
This is my last Halloween post and then I can rest move on post about something else.
Ever wonder what other countries do to celebrate Halloween? I was thinking about this actually because my friend Erika moved to Durham England. She mentioned that they don’t do the whole pumpkin thing so I was curious how they do celebrate without bugging her… (if you have different info please feel free to let us know).
In alphabetical order and also thanks to www.jackolanterns.net for the info, I decided to just link you to the information because there is a lot of it. This way you can click on the country you are most interested in.
Halloween in Ireland-Celtics
Happy Halloween and Be Safe Tonight!!!
The Magical World of Bella Sara
We received two packages of Bella Sara trading cards in the mail, I had never seen them before. L was very interested (as usual) in what I had received. When she saw the beautiful horses on the cards she was even more excited. We sat down and went through all of the cards first and we talked about their names, the pictures and their positive, inspirational messages to everyone, for instance the unicorn Delight says “Being kind to someone makes both of you feel good”. All of the cards have messages like this. I explained to her that we could get on-line and play with the horses. She couldn’t wait to get started.
The website is www.bellasara.com, when you arrive at the site you join the website and parents you don’t have to worry about safety on this website. There are no chat rooms and children 12 and under need your permission first (through an e-mail). When you register you immediately receive a free horse but if you purchase the card packets ($2.75) there are on-line codes on each card, when you enter the code you immediately “adopt” the horse. The cards we received are their new launch of Baby Bella foals, so on our cards there were also names of the foals parents. Once we entered all of our codes L was able to brush their coats, clean their hooves and stalls, feed them and give them water. She has tons of fun playing with them each day and always asks to check on them. Perfect website in my opinion.
You can also explore the magical world of North of North, play games in the arena or at the castle or purchase fun things at the bazaar with the horseshoes that you earn playing games or activating your baby or adult horses.
There is going to be a special on-line celebration starting November 6th. For 10 days kids will be able to qualify for daily prizes, print off babies’ birth certificates, read stories and get access to special codes. Be sure to check the website (www.bellasara.com) out then because there will a lot more than just that going on. You can also enter to win a Bella Sara birthday party. What little girl who is in love with Bella Sara or horses in general wouldn’t love a birthday party like that.
This was a lot of fun, something that L and I can do together and it has kept her interest for quite a while now. It’s not something that is purchased and pushed aside, which today is always a good find.
What a day!!!
I have had the WORST DAY with a few rays of sunshine because it is all about finding what there is to smile about, right?! I will start with good news.
GOOD: My best friend in grade school and high school just started a blog titled Where Life Becomes Art and I am so excited. Check her out and encourage her that this great big bloggy world isn’t so scary or even maybe we could just give her our best blogging advice. Anyway welcome to the bloggy world!
GOOD: J started speech therapy today and he didn’t cry when I dropped him off at his class. Yeah!!
BAD: I parked on the street in front of the school in order to take him inside (public parking) and the people that live in the house where I parked came out and glared at me. I thought okay whatever. So I continue to get J and L out of their carseats and the lady screams at me and says “Can you move your car (she was parked behind me) I can’t get my groceries out because of the tree in the way” she was all huffy and bitchy. I told her she was going to have to wait until I came back from taking my son to school and I’d be right back. She says “Yeah right you’ll be back”. I walked away. Took J into school and came back out after like 10 minutes. The husband sat on his front steps and glared at me with his arms crossed and shaking his head. Seriously. Like I did something wrong. As I got L into her carseat and got my cell phone out of my back pocket the husband went and stood behind my car waiting for me to move. I unrolled my window and said “Your welcome”, he screamed something at me and the wife flipped me off. Can you believe it? I was shaking I was so mad.. plus I had to go back to pick J up. Nothing happened at pick up but still I was ready for them.
BAD: I drove all over STL looking for the stuff to make a Christmas project I found on Pink Paislee’s blog today and it about drove me insane. I think if I ever find everything I need I will put what stores you can find the objects (like silver magnets) I was so crabby and $70 later I still don’t have everything I need. Doesn’t that drive you mad?!
Unfortunately we aren’t done for the day. We have to still attend dance class in our costume. My plan until then…. sit on my tush and not move.
Things I Love Thursday – FACEBOOK!!
I love Facebook. I am almost on facebook as much as I am on my favorite blogs. I have been able to reconnect with some of my favorite people from high school, my cousin who lives in Colorado and some of my new bloggy friends.
You can throw John McCain or Barack Obama (whomever you favor) at your friends in Super Poke; You can have a picture “sketched” to make it look like a pencil drawing in Sketch Me; You can now keep track of your favorite blogs on Blog Networks; You can play games like Bowling Buddies or Bubblewords; You can send your friends alchoholic drinks in Booze Mail; You can take numerous quizzes; Send your friends a fraggle in 80s Toys; Grow a garden by sending your friends plants in (Lil) Green Patch or last but not least you can keep track of all of your friends birthdays in the Birthday Calendar. Wow!!! I know there is so much more on that website that I haven’t discovered but you can’t beat it. I prefer Facebook to MySpace anyday.
For more TILT visit Diaper Diaries.
Don’t forget to enter to win the $25 gift certificate visit this post, drawing is next Tuesday.
1 Day Til Halloween – Jokes for the Treats
When I was trick or treating back in the day I used to HATE it when people would ask me for a trick or a joke. God, nothing like being in the spotlight and I hate being on stage even more than being scared. plus I was never prepared so here are some jokes that you can tell your little ones, I assure you they are all groan worthy, then your child will be prepared.
Who won the skeleton beauty contest? – No body!
Where do baby ghosts go during the day?– Dayscare centers!
Who did Frankenstein take to the prom? – His ghoul friend
Where do spooks water ski? – Lake Erie
What happened to the guy that didn’t pay his exorcist? – He was repossessed
How do you mend a broken Jack-O-Lantern? – With a pumpkin patch
Why was the mummy so tense? – He was all wound up
Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road? – He didn’t have the guts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This one is more for the adults:
Things We’ve Learned From Horror Films (found at www.halloween-online.com)
- When it appears that you have killed the monster, NEVER check to see if it’s really dead, it not!
- If you find that your house is built upon or near a cemetery, had previous inhabitants who went mad or committed suicide or died in some horrible fashion, or had inhabitants who performed satanic practices in your house, move immediately.
- Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.
- Do not search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.
- When you have the benefit of a group of people, NEVER pair off and go it alone.
- As a general rule, don’t solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.
- If you are searching for something that caused a noise and find out that it’s just the cat, leave the room immediately if you value your life.
- If you find a town that look deserted, it’s probably for a reason. Take a hint, Leave!
- If you’re running from a monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are a female. Even though you may be faster than the monster, you can be sure that it will catch you.
- If your friends suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, get away from them as fast as possible.
- If you car runs out of gas at night, do not go to the nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help.
- Beware of strangers bearing tools such as chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines, lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, or band saws. This is especially true if they are wearing a hockey mask or one made of human skin.
Okay there your children are armed with their new jokes and you are armed with the reminders of how to run from monsters and avoid becoming a victim of the next horror movie filming in your hometown.
Wordless Wednesday – Yep That’s My Brother!
Here is my brother – age 30 – but ladies I know you’re not going to believe it, but yes he taken!!!
Ain’t she a lucky one!
For more WW check em’ out here.
2 Days Til Halloween – Scared People Are Funny
Last night we went to Boo at the Zoo and there was this kid in a super scary skeleton costume. I led my kids away from him because I knew it would freak J out, he was already borderline and there is nothing scary about Boo at the Zoo (well at least for anyone not in the preschooler stage). Anyway this kid was in the children’s zoo and was going down the slide by the otter’s when this tiny little guy (younger than J) walked by right as he came down the slide and that poor little boy about fell over with fear. He shook and was staggering sideways with wide eyes. I really felt sorry for him but at the same time everyone was laughing because when someone gets scared and they aren’t in danger, it’s funny. The boy wearing the mask quickly took it off because at least he was considerate to show the little boy that it was okay but the damage had been done. He kept walking scared of everything. Poor little guy. Well that had me thinking about how hard I laugh when other people are scared (not so funny when it’s you). Here are some videos I found of people getting scared…
I don’t care who you are if you are in a morgue and someone jumps up from under the sheet, you could possibly be looking at someone having a heart attack.
The morgue one was a repeat but come on you have to at least be chuckling… okay not yet??
Now tell me you aren’t laughing now. Have you ever had that trick played on you? I have… it’s a funny one but what I don’t understand are the people that show that to their kids. There are a lot of sad ones where kids are crying. Poor things. L and J will not be watching them.
WARNING!!!! NOT FOR LITTLE KIDS!!!! Now if you are an adult and want to see what scared these people… here is one of the videos that are out there to trick family members: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0csP7ipLjck. Just know it will scare your kids. Here’s another one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e26gXsI_Ak. That one will scare your kids too.
I’ll stick with the funny AFV ones, I am not a fan of wetting my pants because I was scared.
What’s Going On??
Well besides my giveaway here (drawing is on Tuesday, November 4th) and my cousin O opening her Etsy store Livvie Lee and drumroll please…. I will have a giveaway again next week to celebrate my blogiversary, an item from her new store. I know it’s almost too much to take. Two giveaways in one week. I love her headbands for little girls, the aprons are too cute and pretty soon she will be adding reusable bags. You need to check her out!!
We went today to see High School Musical 3 and we weren’t disappointed. L sat there all googly eyed, in fact she already has a date to see it again. She is going with her Uncle Na and his girlfriend C to see it on Thursday night. She’s so spoiled. I have to admit that it’s not that bad to sit and watch, there were a few eye rolls from me because it was a little sappy in parts but Zac Ephron is not to hard on the eyes and since the movie is primarily about him, there was a whole lot of watching, Zac that is. There are also a couple of catchy songs that were pretty good, I am sure I will have them stuck in my head the rest of the day. We went at the perfect time today… 12:50. There were only two other moms in there with their little girls. We practically had it to ourselves, there are outtakes as the credits roll so if you are lucky enough to attend the movie be sure to stay till the end.
Tonight we are thinking of attending Boo at the Zoo, I haven’t quite motivated everyone yet but I’m getting there. The kids will dress up if we go and who knows what L will be she can’t seem to decide between Cinderella, Tinker Bell or Belle. Luckily we own all of those costumes. She needs a costume for tonight, one for dance class on Thursday, one for school on Friday and then of course one for Friday night to trick or treat. J is easy, he is going to be Mr. Incredible, no matter where we go.
3 Days Til Halloween – Activities for School Parties
Now that I have a child in school there are school parties to plan and attend and I find that the hardest part is finding a game or activity for the kids to do. Crafts come easy to me so that’s never a problem.
At our party on Friday we plan on doing freeze dance with spooky Halloween music/sounds and also doing a mummy type of activity where one parent is going to bring toliet paper and then we’ll divide them into groups of two and they can wrap each other up in toliet paper to make each other mummies. I thought it could be fun, we’ll see though.
Here are some other types of entertainment for parties:
- Hot Pumpkin Game – exactly like hot potato but using one of those super small pumpkins.
- Pumpkin Walk – place different colored pumpkins on the floor and play music (similar to musical chairs) when the music stops you call out a color and the children standing on those colors gets a prize or candy.
- Halloween Bingo – Just have a small amount of squares and play full board for the younger set. Have pictures on the game board and then call out “witch” or “bat” or “pumpkin” and then they can place pumpkins or beans on the ones called out.
- Spider Web – take a ball of yarn and have one person start by holding the yarn and then throw it to the next person and continue until the yarn is all gone.
- Bean Bag Toss – Get some tin buckets (they have them at Target) and bean bags and play bean bag toss or you can have them play together.
- Pumpkin Hunt – While the kids are out of the room you can hide pumpkins around the room and everyone has to find one. When they have found them all you can serve them a snack.
- Popcorn Relay Race – All it takes are two big bowls of popcorn and some small cups per team. Have them run and get a cupful of popcorn and transfer it to the bowl across the room. The first team done wins.
These are just a few ideas! I hope I helped someone out there who couldn’t come up with a fun activity to do at your child’s Halloween party. It’s always the part that’s lacking out our parties. Maybe now it won’t be.
Don’t forget to enter to win the $25 Gift Certificate to Build-A-Bear here the drawing will be on Tuesday, November 4th.
My 4Bits 
