Trick or treat! We take Halloween seriously. I mean, remember the “Zombie Minnie Mouse” from 2015? Well, I won’t let you forget her.
My boys are equally excited about the spookiest day of the year. They’ve been asking to wear their costumes daily (“for the last time, NO!”) and we’ve already planned out our trick-or-treating route. And, like every mom getting her kids ready for a night of Halloween fun, safety is a top concern. …
Halloween
Oh Yes He Did…
That moment when you push your own missed youth on your children.
Let’s just say that Top Gun’s “Maverick” was not Ryder’s first choice in Halloween costume… but once he saw the look on daddy’s face, he sacrificed his own desire to fulfill daddy’s one wish… to be Tom Cruise, if even for a day. #dangerzone
Our Very First Halloween
I know what you’re thinking: “Lena, your boys are 3 and 5. How can this be your first Halloween?”
Well, it’s simple. This is the very first year that both boys equally, unequivocally and enthusiastically understand what Halloween is all about… and couldn’t be more excited for it! It’s Halloween this, Halloween that, Halloween EVERYTHING day and night. And the best part – they don’t even care about the treats. I don’t think they recall the element of trick-or-treating at all – which in my book, makes their excitement even better.
Halloween has been a month-long celebration for us. As soon as October hit and the spooky decor made its way into stores, we’ve been indulging in all things Halloween-related. Yes, we have uncarved pumpkins on our porch, waiting to be prepped. You can bet we’ve visited Party City once or twice, deciding on the perfect costumes for the boys. And you just know we’ve been PVR’ing all the kid-friendly Halloween specials in anticipation of the big day.
As a #DisneyJuniorMom, I’m pleased to share with you some spooktacular news: Disney Junior celebrates Halloween weeknights at 6pm ET all month-long!
There will be brand-new, Halloween-themed episodes of Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Sofia the First, Stella and Sam, Henry Huggle Monster and Bananas in Pajamas… along with some classic favourites from these and other hit Disney Junior series. And to help crank up the spooky factor another notch – Disney Junior will be airing Halloween episodes ALL DAY on October 30th and 31st!
Also, be sure to check out the Big Halloween Party section on Disney Junior’s website, for tons of great Halloween games, crafts and colouring pages. We’ve been printing sheets daily – did you know that my boys are obsessed with colouring? It’s true! We literally have hundreds of colouring pages strewn across our family room floor. Sigh.
Of course, the question of the day – what will my boys be for Halloween? Well, they had big plans to dress up as Mike and Sulley from Monsters University. In fact, we scoured many a costume store to find the matching set. And while we were successful in locating a Sulley costume for Ryder, we’re still on the search for a Mike costume for Reid. They seem to be sold out wherever we look! Ack!…
Post-Halloween Deals You’ll Scream Over
I’m a huge fan of post-holiday sales. A collector by nature; I have perfected the art of purchasing items at 50-80% off the retail price a mere days after the special event is over. Then, I hoard like a penny-pinching maniac until the following year, when I break out my brand new Christmas decorations/ Easter baskets/ Valentine’s heart paraphernalia/ insert-holiday-or-occasion-here.
(The only caveat, I suppose, are the boxes of “stuff” in our storage room. Still, well worth it when the occasion rolls around, and I don’t have to spend full price on amazing decor!)
Today, I’m particularly loving the 75% off Halloween-themed costumes and decor at Loblaws and Superstore.
At a routine grocery run this morning, I was like a kid in a candy store – or, I suppose, a kid on Halloween – as I sifted through the goodies for cheap, cheap, cheap. The average deluxe costume was between $12.00-18.00, and the accessories? Don’t even get me started. If you’ve got extra room under the stairs, the time to stock up is NOW.
…Not So Tricky Homemade Halloween Treats!
Every year I tell myself that I’m going to find the time to make a super cool Halloween-themed treat.
(At least I consistently tell myself that I’ll do it. However, even more consistent is the fact that I never do.)
Well, that WILL change this year, because thanks to these spooktacular easy recipes from Life Made Delicious, I really think that I’ve finally found the right inspiration… and all the ingredients in my pantry.
These are just a few of my faves:
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| CHOCOLATE MUMMY COOKIES |
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| CREEPY CRAWLERS |
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| CHOCOLATE GREMLINS |
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| CHEESY CRESCENT GHOSTS |
I’m actually quite looking forward to making the Cheesy Crescent Ghosts, because with two little guys who’ll be sure to be buzzing from all the excitement, they can actually double as dinner :) I’m also loving the tip posted on the site: “Cook 1 clove garlic, finely chopped, in 1 tablespoon butter, and brush over dough before topping with cheese.” YUM.
And, don’t forget to check the Life Made Delicious blog for more easy recipes – including spooky snacks!
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
An Allan Candy Halloween!
Newsflash: I Have a Sweet Tooth.
I’ve always been addicted to candy – even in my late twenties when it was decidedly unfashionable to be seen with the sugary stuff – and certainly now that I’ve got two little boys who know the difference between “dinner” and “treat”… and how eating all of one will lead to enjoyment of the other.
In fact, my fondest “Trick or Treat’ing” memories involve me dumping out all the chocolate and passing it along to my brother, but only after bartering for his pieces of Big Foot, Peach Slices and Gummi Bears. Which I proceeded to stash up my pajama sleeves for a reunion later on, once everyone was in bed.
(I’m bobbing my head from side to side right now, humming the tune “I Want Candy”. True story.)
And it’s safe to say that both my boys have inherited my sweet tooth; they generally push, pull and climb on top of each other when they hear the rustle of a candy bag….