Our Samhain Celebration

Our Samhains tend toward the chaotic... all day yesterday was spent cooking and carving pumpkins and getting costumes ready, then hauling all the kids over to a party (plus getting Bill ready to leave this morning at 7 a.m. for an American Cancer Society presentation in New Mexico). Bill pulled candy duty here, while he finished up a pumpkin pie (mmmm! and I can attest to the success of his efforts, despite the interruptions). Both here and the party were FULL of kiddos. In the party neighborhood, there was even a school bus that pulled in full of kids from across town! We went through something like $30 worth of candy, maybe 15 lbs?! (YAY Costco!)

Where I went with the kids (all four of 'em decided to tag along) was an annual gathering up on the west side of town. About 20 houses in a 4-square-block area put on quite a show... lights, games, toys, parties, and the "Witches' Cafe," with lots of thoroughly disgusting but edible goodies.

Once we shut down the "Zombie Toss" (Linc in his skunk outfit was very happy to retrieve beanbags over and over!), we repaired indoors to thaw out with chili and conversation, while the kids crashed around upstairs burning off their sugar buzz. A wonderful evening all around!

Today... Clay's first Japanese lesson, and calling a plumber to fix a leaky toilet.