And this is the drawing that they won.

Have a Happy Halloween!!!  I’m sure you have plenty of community, neighborhood, or even family events going on today so just enjoy the day.

Note:

If you find yourself just sitting around waiting for dusk to come be creative.  You could make homemade treats for the trick-or-treaters.  Once I went to a home that gave out hot chocolate (don’t worry, I wasn’t poisoned)!  Also, lots of grocery stores, toy stores, and even malls participate in day time trick or treating so feel free to get a head start on the candy stash.

Reminder:

Don’t let the Halloween spirit get you forgetting about your peaceful music.  If your children are easily scared this is an extra important day to keep a happy calm feeling in your home.  Plus, this is the last day of the October monthly challenge so end the month with a bang!

Costume Contest

Don’t forget about our costume contest!  For more details click here.  Be sure to get a great photo of your kids/family tonight so that you can email it to me tomorrow.

All my life I’ve done the trick-or-treating thing but to tell you the truth, I don’t know much about the history of Halloween.  Gather your kids around the computer and do some searches on the history of Halloween.

Note:

If you plan ahead you may be able to find a fun Halloween video or game online.  Last year someone sent me an e-card that was interactive.  My kids loved clicking the mouse on the spooky looking tree and seeing the bats come flying out.

Reminder:

Today is my son’s Halloween parade at school.  If your kids have fun events going on today do your best to attend, or at least ask them all about it.

Evaluate:

I used this website to read about Halloween.  I read over a few things first and then realized that the Halloween around the world section would probably be the easiest way to keep their attention.  If you decide on the same thing try and pick a country that they know something about or that you could link to an ancestor.  We read about Ireland where my ancestors come from and my mom also traveled there earlier this year.   We learned that the children play a game called “knock-a-dolly” on Halloween which is basically knocking on the neighbors doors and running and hiding.  I had Max go outside and “knock-a-dolly” our house.  He thought that was pretty exciting.  We also read about Mexico because Max’s best friend lives there.

Take your kids to your local library and check out some Halloween books.  While you are there look at the library schedule, some libraries offer trick or treating and/or story times you can wear costumes to.

Note:

The other day at the library I noticed a mom organizing her coupons while her kids looked at books.  If you have something you need to get done today take it with you and do it at the library.

Reminder:

Have you been playing your music?

Evaluate:

Did you plan your date night with your hubby?  Recently we decided to take turns planning our dates because we were never doing anything because no one would ever plan it.  Last week was his turn so our “date money” is all gone.  (He’s really not a big spender, I’m just giving him a hard time).  So because of our limited resources we are getting a FREE sitter (my mom) eating at home, going to the rec center (where we have a membership) and playing racquetball and then we will end the night with frozen yogurt.  YUM!

Let’s go for a hike!  Pack a back pack with some water and snacks and head to your favorite kid friendly trail.

Note:

Lucky for me I live in Utah and I’m surrounded by all sorts of outdoor adventures.  If you aren’t sure where to begin take a moment to ask a friend or do a quick search online for “kid friendly hikes” in your area.  If weather is an issue just dress warm and be willing to turn around and head for home if things get too cold.  Also, be prepared to make some hot chocolate afterwords.

Prepare:

Our Halloween craft project is coming up if you’d like to participate start saving your single serving milk containers. All you will need is a string of lights from your Christmas storage (preferably white but any will do), empty individual sized Milk containers and a black sharpie.   If you’re nervous about getting together enough containers ask your neighbors to pass theirs onto you rather than throwing them away.  Besides I’m sure your children wouldn’t be upset with a stop at their favorite fast food restaurant on the condition that they order milk to drink.  You have until Friday the 16^th to get your materials together.

Evaluate:

Yesterday was a very enjoyable day for me.  I took the kids bowling and aside from Max’s fit about having to go home and never knocking down all the pins, we had a fun time.  Then Max went to his cousins birthday party while Elese and I put dinner in the crock pot, watched Cinderella, and even took a little nap together.  The rest of the day was spent sitting on the porch, wrapped up in a blanket watching Max ride his bike and Elese play with her cousins.  We also ended the day with a rousing game of Candy Land.  I’m glad I took this day to spend with them, it made for a much happier and more patient me.

If your kids are like mine they start planning their Halloween costumes in the summer and change their mind at least 15 times before the leaves even think about changing color.  Go to a Halloween shop and try on costumes.  If you are ready to purchase the costumes at this point then buy them today, otherwise you will at least know what sizes they need and can compare prices online so you can get the best deal.

Note:

My mom always made our costumes but I’m not quite that dedicated (plus I lack the sewing machine and skills).  If that is the path you want to take then head to the fabric store instead but be sure to check out their website first.  Sometimes you can find coupons for a percentage off your purchase if you take the time to look.

Reminder:

Are you listening to your music??

Evaluate:

How did things go yesterday?  My kids and Amber (a 21 year old girl with special needs that I watch at my home) had a lot of fun!  I found a website with lots of different types of paper airplanes.  All the kids colored their papers and then chose the plane they wanted to make.  None of the planes were great flyer’s but they did some pretty cool tricks.  Amber kept hitting everyone in the head with her plane, Max (my 5 year old son) kept yelling, “Mommy, did you see that?”  and Elese (my 2 year old) would run around doing interpretive dances of what tricks her plane had just done.  They had a blast with their airplanes and I enjoyed helping them make them and watching the smiles on their faces.

Help each of your children color and fold their own paper airplane.  Have a contest in the yard to see whose plane goes the farthest, highest, and stays airborne the longest.

Note:

Competition can be hard with young children so you can opt out of the contest or consider it a learning experience for your children.

Prepare:

Halloween is coming up fast and so are all the Halloween TV specials.  If you have a television recording devise (your old VCR will work for this too) set it to record some of the upcoming Halloween specials.

Evaluate:

My mood almost instantly changed from crabby to happy when I started playing peaceful music yesterday.  My kids loved looking at pictures of themselves as babies and reminisced about photographed toys that have found new homes.  I think day one was a success.  How did you do?  I think making a change in our day to day activities can initially make our lives seem more difficult so if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed just remember that a little time now will bring a lot of joy later!