Halloween Marathon

Halloween is not just a single day of dress up anymore. It is a month long candy fueled marathon that I'm still recovering from. Weeks and days before the main event there were the trips to the pumpkin farms (yes, plural), the cookie and treat making (of which each class received their own special treat), and multiple attempts to get the costumes 'just right' (which meant many trips to the Goodwill). But the pumpkins did get carved (not all of them) and lit (if just barely), the treats were sent off to each class for their respective Halloween Parties, and the costumes were a hit (even if Lizzie's was a bit snug...)... oh and the snow melted (Really! How many Halloween parties have you been to in the snow?!)

She went as a mermaid.

He went as a pirate.

(I loved, loved, loved his costume. He didn't even wear the cool velvet skull vest I made. But the parrot, oh the parrot!)

The full Halloween marathon was kick-started Saturday night when we attended my brother's Halloween party in the snow. (BTW, A witches hat works just as well as an umbrella to keep the flakes off.)

The following day (Sunday) I had my community party (this is my last year running it! honest!!) and it was a ton of fun (thankfully, the snow was long gone). My girlfriend had us over the weekend before to make a pumpkin pinata for the event and to my amazement it actually worked. The party itself is held at a playground at the end of our block that is part of the Corcoran Art School. This year we used their parking lot to host a fire truck and ambulance, plus we put up tables and chairs (thank you dear husband!). We also introduced the Black Box to the beverage table. I think this is what had been missing in years past....the Starbucks coffee was nice, but the black box took the edge of the chill even better.

The next day, Halloween, was packed. It started at 10:30 with Lizzie's co-op party and parade. After which I tore down the decorations and raced them down the hall to Mahlon's class so we could decorate while the kids were at lunch/recess. Then the whole school paraded and their class had a party. Another quick clean up and we were off again. This time we were headed to do something uniquely DC: We trick or treated the embassies.

After the embassies our group headed back to our house for pizza... and then, finally, it was time for the real deal, TRICK OR TREATING. The area around the kids school goes off. It is crazy fun. One house that sits on a V-shaped corner has a V-shaped deck. At Halloween they turn it in a full fledge pirate ship-- with cannons, sword fighting and grog. Another block is so decorated and chock-full of people you can barely push your way down the street. There are fireworks, scary movies projected on sides of the house, and even a big foot sighting! (Big foot changes from year to year so you never know just who 'he' is.) We've been living here for just over 2 years and I can honestly say, this is the very best place I've ever 'done' Halloween. Yup. Even better than New Orleans!