Day 298: Halloween 2023

 It's a big day around here! 

Halloween 2023 has arrived!

Since I consider this a National Holiday, we decided not to have a full day of school. The boys dressed up early and we went outside to our favorite little "tunnel of trees" behind the house to take full costume photos. 

I present to you the "official" Halloween costumes:

Calen - The World War II paratrooper. 

Camden: The Hitchhiking Ghost (from the Haunted Mansion). 

Cam decided he didn't like the beard. 

Beware of hitchhiking ghosts Calen!

Before the big show happened this evening, I made sure to set up an early snack board to make sure the boys actually eat some healthy-ish food before the absolute diabetic coma that is sure to come. On the menu: corn dog bites, meatballs, kenai dip, apples, and spiderweb taco dip. 

And then, the clock struck 5pm, and trick or treating began! 

Camden took his ghost costume a step further by rolling through our neighborhood on a hoverboard, making the illusion of him "floating" like a real ghost. 

Brad and my favorite thing to do on Halloween is to sit on the bench on the front porch drinking hot apple cider and hand out candy to the kids, especially the little itty bitty ones in their super cute costumes. 

As darkness fell, the boys and their buddy asked if they could trick or treat on base, so I played chauffeur and drove the trio to base and dropped them off, telling them to call me when they were ready to be picked up. 

It's really fun being able to give the boys the independence to trick or treat alone. And meanwhile? Brad went into the garage and pulled down all the Christmas totes, because he knows that when the clock strikes midnight, the pumpkin turns into a Christmas tree, as it were. 

It began to pour down rain so the boys called me after a short 45 minutes on base, and then came home and began the Annual Great Candy Trade while watching Nightmare Before Christmas. 



 

Obviously as shown in the photo above, this is an obscene amount of candy. As we did last year, I told the kids to fill a gallon sized ziplock bag with as much candy as they can hold (and the bag must be able to close), and the rest is donated to the children in the small villages in rural Alaska. 

Funny side story: After explaining how the villages in Alaska really have NO money for things like candy and that's why it's good for us to donate, Camden suddenly went on a complete, emotional crusade. 

"We aren't giving enough!! There must be MORE we can give!! What about toys?? WE HAVE TO GIVE MORE!!" And then he marched up to his room trying to find things to donate. 

And then there were tears from my giant hearted little Gryffindor (see my previous new obsession with Harry Potter), which I attributed to staying up too late and eating far too much candy, but I'm glad that his heart is in the right place. 

It was a great Halloween! And now, on to the best time of the year!

Day 297: Nightmare Paintings

 It's All Hallow's Eve-Eve!

In other words, the day before Halloween!

We did one last Halloween craft today, a great learn to paint on Youtube of the backdrop of Nightmare Before Christmas.

Painting a tiny Jack Skellington and Sally was a little too complicated (even for me), so instead I taught the boys how to paint simple yet cute little bats to complete the painting. These turned out so great!

Calen on left, Cam on the right. 

Day 296: Pumpkin Carving Day

 It's Sunday, and that means Family Fun Day!

But instead of family game night, we decided to have family Pumpkin Carving night! It's one of my favorite nights of the year, and really pictures are worth a thousand words. 

Day 295: Impulse Shopping

 I had to run to Walmart today, and no intention of purchasing anything "ridiculous."

Well, sometimes "ridiculous" falls right into your cart. 

After reading, and watching, all the Harry Potter movies, I've become quite the little Potterhead (along with the rest of the family). As I'm pushing my cart past the toy section, I spy these little adorable buggers on the end cap, and somehow, two of them fell into my cart and refused to leave. 

Well how did they get in there?

 
And by the time I left the store, two more ended up in my cart to complete the collection. 

Welp. 

I mean, in my defense, they're quite possibly the four most adorable little squishy Hogwarts House mascots in cuteness history. And also in my defense, Santa is probably going to bring them to the family for Christmas, so there. 

I need to just go shopping with blindfolds on this time of year. 

Day 294: Dress Rehearsal

 It's the Boy Scouts big Halloween costume party tonight! Also known as the official dress rehearsal for Halloween. 

Camden's costume (to be announced later) is not quite ready, but luckily he had a backup costume for tonight. 

I present to you the World War II paratrooper (Calen) and a very well dressed zombie from Plants vs Zombies (Camden). 

Day 293: The Great Toy Book

 I am (delightfully, thankfully,) surprised that my children, at ages 14 and 12, are still overjoyed when the Big Book of Toys from Target comes in the mail every holiday season. 

They spent an entire hour pouring over it. Especially the Lego section. 

I'm so thankful they refuse to grow up. 

Day 292: Wednesdays Are For Hockey

 It's Wednesday, and that means hockey practice!

Another day, another opposing player skunked by Cam who won't let them take a shot. 

Defense wins championships, folks. 

In blue, fouling up the player in white's shot

Day 291: Watch Out For That Last Step...

 Even though we are years (probably, decades) past the actual need for a (human) baby gate, we still have one on the bottom of the stairs, to keep the dog down on the main floor. 

Why? Does he chew? 

No. 

Does he pee on things?

Also no. 

So what's the problem with Rebel going upstairs?

His hair. His freaking. Dark. Chocolate. Hair. Everywhere. 

It's like Chewbacca got into an electric razor fight with a grizzly bear and the evidence is all over my floor. 

So, if I can keep the dog hair contained to just the ground floor of my house, it makes my life just that much easier. 

He's trained so well with the gate now that he really doesn't go upstairs, even if we forget to close the gate. But on the days we do, the bottom landing of the stairs is his favorite sleeping spot. 

Why? I don't know. Maybe because it's carpeted (but not squishy like his dog bed), and it's near the front door window for him to look out? But whatever the reason, it's a bear (no pun intended) when it's dark out and you're going down the stairs and his big dark brown body is camouflaged with that last step. 

Someone's eventually going to die on this stairwell, and it's either me or the dog. 

Day 290: Exchange Student

 We had an exchange student at school today!

Our neighbor boy James, also homeschooled (a 5th grader), needed a place to do "school" today, as his dad was at work and his mom had to fly to Anchorage for the day for a medical appointment. 

Well come on over!

Instead of our usual daily routine, we made it a really fun school day, with as many things to include James in as well. They all trudged through their math and typing, we did a Halloween art project, and watched a World War II documentary. 

And then we decided to bake apple cider donuts, because cooking is absolutely educational. Especially when donuts are involved. 

And because it's October, we had to add some sprinkles and eyeballs!

Day 289: Caught on Candid Camera

 I like to take lots of photos and videos at hockey practice, to make fun little instagram reels for the team and whatnot. 

As I was taking photos behind the bench during the end of practice scrimmage, I caught this set of photos. Cam's face cracks me up. 

Unsuspecting

Who me?

Day 288: The Simple Gifts Are The Best Gifts

 I can always count on the grandparents to send super cute and fun things for the Holidays. My mom (Grandma with Glasses) sent the boys a beautiful Halloween card and Subway gift cards, because the way to a boy's heart is food. 

Grammy and Papa sent a box with homemade Halloweenie pajamas, and these super cute Nightmare Before Christmas lollipop holders. 

The kids were elated with all of this. Who needs big gifts when you can be so happy with such simple things?

Day 287: This Project Is Bats

 Holiday art projects are my favorite, and have been since the kids were toddlers. 

I'm really thankful that the boys are still good sports and enjoy doing them. 

Today was a 3D bat art project, and it turned out so cute!

Day 286: A Quiet Rebellious Day

 We really kept it low key quiet today. But here's Rebel, who fell asleep with a Nylabone balanced on top of his paws. 

Day 285: Breakaways

 Cam had hockey practice tonight. At the end of practice they always do a quick 15 minute scrimmage where each player does a quick 45 second shift. 

It's the second practice in a row where our little defenseman got a breakaway. 

So proud!

Day 284: Skeletons and Witches

 It was a low-key day today, but we still made sure to have a fun Halloweenie type day. 

First of all, I made this super amazing witch (thanks Pinterest) out of an old book (on Medieval villages, how fitting). 

She's my favorite. 

And of course, we finished the day with a Halloween movie: Nightmare Before Christmas!

Only the best. 

Day 283: Hockey Kickoff

 A new season of Kodiak Hockey starts tonight! It's the start of Camden's sixth year of hockey. 

And because the rink is still (still!) under construction, we spend another season walking through the "Enchanted Woods" (the woods in between the elementary school parking lot and the back entrance to the rink). 

It's going to be a great season!

Day 282: Onion Goggle and Who Dunnit

 It's Sunday, and you know what that means. 

It's family night game night!

Calen was in charge of the food today, trying a new recipe on his Raddish Kids subscription. This month's subscription came with a perfect accessory for us super sensitive eyeballs (Calen and myself): 

Onion. Goggles. 

Were they effective? No. Was the idea fantastic? Obviously. 

On the menu: Shredded pulled pork sliders, homemade coleslaw, and homemade French onion dip. 

Tonight's game was another Halloweenie thumbs up: Clue, but Disney Villians edition. 

This game lasted foreverrrrrr but it was still fun. In the end Jafar stole a potion in the elephant graveyard. I mean of course he did. 

Day 281: A Saturday With Cam

 It was a busy day with Cam today. 

First, his last photography class was this morning. He has really taken to photography and even asked to bring the large camera to Disney (we'll see if he agrees after one day of lugging it around all day in the parks). I walked laps around the track below the studio, but I did spy Cam and the other students walking around the woods and the skate park taking photos. 

The photography lesson ended at 11am, and guess what, at 11am the rink (next door) opened up for stick and puck (open skate, but for hockey). 

Well, we couldn't pass up that opportunity. 

Cam literally tossed himself into the back seat and put on his hockey gear, and spent the next two hours playing pick up hockey. 

I bet he'll sleep well tonight. 

Day 280: Friday The 13th

 It's Friday the 13th, in October. 

I mean, you can't beat it. 

If we were a horror movie family, which we aren't, we'd probably have watched an entire marathon of Scream or Friday the 13th or something. 

But we aren't, so instead we did something far less creepy. 

We made shrunken heads!

Well how is that not creepy?!

Actually, it's perfectly harmless. We made shrunken heads out of Granny Smith apples. First, we peeled the apples and carved out the skulls, then soaked them in lemon juice and salt. 

Then, we put them in the oven at 200 degrees, for hours. And hours, and hours. 

About halfway done

Finis!

Actually, this was a great lesson in food preservation as well. Everything is educational, right?

Day 279: Things That Make You Go Hmmm

 I sat down this morning to start school, barely concious over my cup of coffee. 

The boys were already doing their warmups, so I wasn't paying them no mind. First, coffee!

And then I glanced up at them, and stopped. 

What is on their heads? What are they wearing?!

Just what the hell is going on here

Calen is donning camo and wearing a full on steel World War II helmet. Cam is wearing some sort of destroyed suit jacket and tie and a zombie head. 

Halloween has come early, over here. 

Day 278: Rink Rats

 Another day, another stick and puck outing at the rink! Practices start next week, and it's always good to get their legs warmed up for the season a few days early. 

After stick and puck, Cam always begs to stay for open skate. We're talking more skating after 2 hours of pick up hockey. 

Can't we go home? I'm cold!

No, of course we can't. Twenty more minutes, Mom!

I love how much he loves it. 

Day 277: Ice In The Walls

 Tremendous news everyone!

The ice rink is officially open for the season!

Of course, Camden couldn't wait a single moment. The moment the hour for stick and puck arrived, he was there, in full gear, with half a dozen of his favorite hockey friends. 

According to Cam, it's the most wonderful time of the year. 

And new this year? Walls! Well, almost walls! The rink enclosure is well on it's way, and maybe, just maybe, we'll have an actual indoor rink by mid-season. 

Day 276: The Manmade Blood Clot

 Today in school we learned about a part of biology that's very appropriate for October and spookiness - blood. 

Not really that spooky, but it's actually pretty fascinating to learn about what all is inside a single drop of blood. 

Since I'm all about visual aids, and Pinterest, I found a super cool way to show what is in every single drop of blood. 

This actually turned out to be a successful failure, in that it didn't go as planned, but the kids definitely learned something from it. 

Observe: the drop of blood:

Well, sort of. More like a drop of blood about to clot. 

The clear liquid (corn syrup) was to represent plasma.

The rice was meant to be platelets. 

The little cinnamon candies were to represent red blood cells.

The white beans were to represent white blood cells, and apparently we have a blood clot or something, because the red blood cells refused to float and the white blood cells wouldn't sink. 

See? A successful failure. 

Day 275: Happy Haunt Game Night

 It's Sunday! And that means family game night. 

And it's October, which means an extra spooky family game night. 

I hopped on Pinterest and found a spectacular variation of making my mom's famous 7-ish layer taco dip, by squirting some sour cream on the surface to make it look like a spiderweb. 

Well, that's easy. 

 I added a tray of additional taco toppings (since taco dip isn't my kid's favorite) and a cauldron (literally) of tortilla chips and called it a night. 

Easy. Freaking. Peasy. Pretty sure I'll have to repeat this ON Halloween. 

Tonight's game night we broke out the board game based on one of our favorite Disney rides - The Haunted Mansion! This is a super fun game where to try to collect as many ghosts as possible. 

999 Happy Haunts....but there's room for one more! 

Sunday family night really is my favorite.