The McKinstry Family Blog: Happy Halloween

Grammy Sharon got a beautiful red cloak for Ella's birthday last year - part of a treasure chest of dress of clothes for the 3 year old princess in the house. Skip ahead to September 2011 as we discussed Halloween this year. I joked with her that she could be Little Red Riding Hood, and Luke could be the Big Bad Wolf. Well, the idea stuck. She loved it and ran with the idea, telling everyone who asked what she'd be for Halloween that she was going to be LRRH, and Luke would be the BBW. We did have a few close calls a couple times, where Ella waffled and said she wanted to be a princess instead. She was actually Rapunzel for the Harvest Party at church.... but only after promising to be LRRH the next day when we would visit Seth's work and go trick or treating on our street. She's really honing her negotiating skills!

So with the costume idea in place, I looked for a wolf costume, but refused to pay $30 for one. I googled "making a wolf costume" and found an idea from Martha Stewart (go figure ;) ) that was relatively easy for a non-crafty person like me. So I bought some felt, found a little brown hooded sweatshirt and made Luke's costume. I figure I have at least a couple years to work on my crafty skills before he refuses to wear something I make for him because it doesn't look like Martha herself made it.....

We had a great Halloween. Grocery shopping in the morning, Seth's office for trick or treating in the afternoon and good old fashioned door to door tricks or treats on our block. Kristen came by and had dinner with us - and was also nice enough to man the house for a bit while we went out with the kids. Lots of trick or treaters this year too, so she kept busy handing out candy. Thanks Kristen! After most of the trick or treaters were gone we went across the street to our neighbors house for what they call trick-or-drink. Just a few close friends hanging out for Halloween. Mom and Dad have a glass of wine or beer and the kids play. A really good night! Ella was eating up the festivities, literally! She was very into trick or treating and hitting every house (or cubicle at NWFS), and is now having fun learning the names of all the candy she collected. Luke figured out the idea pretty quick too - grab some candy, put it in the bucket. But like with most other things, he was over it in a few minutes and ready to move on to something else. He did not seem to like the strangely dressed people knocking on our door and taking our candy, however... seemed to be upsetting to him. He'd watch the kids outside the door and after they'd leave and we shut the door, he'd cry. Not his favorite holiday - yet.