Halloween and Harvest Hoedown

Every Halloween one of my schools holds the annual Harvest Hoedown, which basically means the PTO hosts a costume party with lots of games, food, music, and chaos! Last year I was not able to go and it got a little out of hand. So, this year I knew I needed to be there and tried not to dread it too much. Then, while taking a second to browse the paper during my lunch break, two things I rarely take the time to do while at work, I noticed that trick-or-treating was to be held in the same town as the Hoedown for the 2 hours before the dreaded event. I decided I might as well make the best of the evening, dress both kids up, head out to trick or treat, and then take them along to the Hoedown.

Not having any clue what my kids costumes would even be yet (those of you who know me well know my complete lack of creativity and distaste for shopping, which aren't a great recipe for cute Halloween costumes) we headed home from school and began the hunt through the house for costume ideas. Kyle was out of town for the night at a coaching convention in preparation for his new position as an assistant HS basketball coach, so it was just the kids and I trying to come up with ideas. Deciding between 2 skiers or 2 football players, the black stage make-up sealed the deal and each kid got to have black gunk smeared under their eyes. We took a few pictures,


I asked them if they were ready- to which they both yelled, "Yah!",

and then we headed out the door.

Morgan decided to itch her eye during the drive and ended up being a football player with a black eye by the end of the night- but it worked.

Despite the incredibly windy night, both kids enjoyed trick or treat...



and we all had a blast at the Hoedown. Cade was an all-star twister player, winning 2 games.



Pinning the stem on the pumpkin resulted in both kids stems pinned to the gym wall instead.



To end the evening we each took our turn at the Limbo- Morgan had the definite advantage here!



After what ended up to be a great night we now will even have the opportunity to stay home this year during our town trick or treat tomorrow and pass out candy- something we have never been able to do before while out trick or treating ourselves. I guess this should be a good lesson for my bad attitude- what a great night!