I used to scoff at Halloween and dismiss it as an American Hallmark tradition. What’s it all about anyway? Kids dressing up and wandering about scaring each other, laughing madly, meeting their neighbours and getting lots of hyperactivity-inducing sweeties… hang on a minute… what have I been missing out on all these years?
Where we live now, Halloween is getting bigger and bigger. Maxi-Taxi participated last year when he was at his first ever sleepover at a mate’s place. The mate’s mum slapped a sheet on their backs, drew on teeth, called them vampires and took them out. Maxi-Taxi got scared out of his wits, loved it enormously at the time and then called us at around 10pm saying (and I quote) “I don’t think this sleepover thing is working for me”.
First ever sleepover + Halloween = not very good timing.
This year, the Tsunamis were kitted out in ‘$2 Shop With Mum Modifications’ outfits. The ‘buy and modify’ approach to homemade is what it’s all about here in Maxabellaland. Cappers was a Warty Witch, Maxi-Taxi a Debonair Vampire and The Badoo was a Scary Dummy-Sucking Bat.
“Just because we’re scary vampires and witches and bats and goblins and skeltetons and zombies and dead pirates, doesn’t mean we should forget our manners… say thank you!” I called over the general din. The pumpkin buckets filled with sweets and then… buckets and buckets of rain. We got drenched in a massive thunderstorm and, of course, Maxi-Taxi went nuts with anxiety when the thunder came. Talk about a Halloween fright night!
All in all, my first Halloween experience was the best kind of fun. Wherever the ‘tradition’ came from or what the actual point of the whole exercise was, I cannot tell you. And don’t ask me what I’m going to do with three pumpkin buckets full of lollies. But I do know that family togetherness is the key and I’ll take that where ever I find it.
* Some clever mum sent out a note with a piece of gold-curling ribbon attached earlier in the week. If you wanted to participate, put the ribbon on your mailbox. It worked so well!
And if I manage to post something that’s happening ‘At My House’ on Mondays, I always link up with my lovely friend Lou over at Buttons By Lou Lou.
Happy day to you all!
Leni and Rose says
Looks like everyone had a ball, even in a downpour! Great idea with the gold ribbon.
MMBB says
That ribbon thing is an excellent idea.
Cate says
My eldest was invited to a halloween party where all the lolly eating, apple bobbing, and liver tossing (not kidding!!!) hilarity was confined to one house – and the host was generous enough to include all siblings too which made my life sooooo much easier! Feel free to come over and have a look at my post if you get a mo…I’m very proud of my first ever jack-o-lantern 🙂 xxx
Toni says
How ADORABLE is your dummy-sucking bat??? Just so cute.
We’re not into Halloween but I can definitely see the attraction for so many people.
Jane says
We went to some streets around us and lots of little children running around in the rain all so excited. I have to say it was really great, our children loved it and it gave me a real sense of community which you don’t usually have these days.
ClaireyH says
I am still a bit bah humbugish with this idea.
Love the gold ribbon idea and love the family together time though.
Pop by and check out my pom poms, we loved doing them, I can see them becoming a fav thing to make when little friends drop by too.
Tamara says
The kids look gorgeous! I can see that in a few more years time we will all be participating – I personally can’t wait!
babygalah says
That ribbon idea is genius ! I’m glad you and your kids had fun 🙂 I’m with you – if it’s promotes some creativity with costumes, family fun and some community spirit – then we should all be doing it !
Kelly says
Aww, gorgeous! Sounds like you guys had so much fun.
My children dressed up like vampires and we carved a pumpkin and light candles inside.
Lucy says
Goddess, I am a scrooge about Christmas, I am never going to be able to get into the Halloween thing.
BUT, the photos of your littles are just LOVELY. Adorable.
Louisa says
Yay – I am so glad everyone is getting into Halloween. I love the spookiness of it and was always so envious of the Americans freedom to enjoy the day – and night!!
We are in the US this year and so Coco will get her first trick or treat experience this evening! Very exciting!
Glad your little ones all had a great time and they look fab – well done Mum x
Gill@OurParklife says
the whole halloween thing has taken me by suprise – there were massive groups of zombies, witches and pumpkins ALL over town this evening…I don’t remember it ever being a big deal before but margaret river def. caught Halloween fever this year…
your dummy sucking bat is just so cute and yes, I recognize those tired eyes…I can also relate to Maxi Taxi’s sleep over experience…I was always coming down with sudden tummy aches at around 10pm whenever I had a sleep over!
gill xo
Andrea says
Love the outfits! My 2 are still too young to be enthusiastic, but they loved the matching skeleton costumes 🙂
Selina says
the noosa marina put on a ‘do’ for the kids last night and heaps turned out, I am really suprised this year there is so much talk of halloween. To be honest it use to come and go and I didnt realize it now the shops seem to have embraced more than ever.
mylifereinvented says
Maybe it was growing up with Halloween, but I love it. It brings back fond memories of parades, church parties, and bags of candy.
Now that I’m older and live in Seattle, WA my family and I attend Trolloween each year. It is a huge party the takes place at the troll under the bridge in Fremont and than turns into a walk through town ending up under another bridge where the rest of the festivities take place. Each year there is a theme that actors act out. last year it was Dante’s Inferno. I really am excited to see what it is this year and post the pictures of our costumes online. However the celebrating usually starts early here. Yesterday I took my daughter to the zoo for Pumpkin Bash to see the animals get fed pumpkins. Pumpkin picking is also huge here. We go out to the farms, go on hay rides, pick pumpkins, and drink apple cider.
Also the Mexican holiday of Dia De los Muertos has become interwoven into many of the parties here on the east coast of the US.
If you are really interested check out Wikipedia and it gives a great explanations on how the traditions got started.
Corinne says
I love Halloween too. I lived in the US as a kid and have brilliant memories of Trick or Treating.
Our neighbours organise a picnic in our local park, everyone gets involved and dressed up – even parents. Everyone brings a plate to share and everyone has a great time. There would’ve been about 250 people there last night, despite a threatening thunderstorm.
A great way for the community to get together and get to know each other. It’s our favourite local activity of the year.
Your little spooks look gorgeous!
Sammie says
So cute!
We have always lived in an apartment and never had trick or treaters come around… Now we are in a house and had to send my husband out super quick to pick up some candy.
And lucky we did! We kind of forgot that out street if full of kids!
Kymmie says
How cute are your kidlets? Adorable! I’m sitting on the fence at the Pumpkin Patch myself, but better embrace it all. It’s going to happen at our place very, very soon!
Eleanor ~ Suburban Soirees says
We LOVE Halloween here in the US!
First, the hubs and I throw a big big family friendly party the weekend close to or on the actual day, then I usually make a big pot of chili to warm us up after we wander for hours collecting as much candy as our arms can carry.
You Aussies have been missing out for too long! 😉
Welcome to the world of wicked sweets, treats and tricks!
Wendy says
Love that gold ribbon idea…much more fun than dealing with grouchy neighbors! Your dummy-sucking bat made me laugh out loud. Priceless!
clare's craftroom says
Looks like great fun ! Yay to the clever mum with the gold ribbon !
Gina says
They are cute! Love the cheapo costumes – great job!
My husband is from Ireland and he too scoffs at many of the American traditions (even though he has lived here for 20 yeras…I guess it’s hard to adjust!) but we had fun handing out candy. The litle Batmas, pumpkins, vampires, etc were all so cute :).
fairchildstreet says
Sounds like you all had fund.
Heather says
Wow the kids are looking so beautiful. Look how much sweet Maxi-Taxi has grown and how gorgeous he is. Miss you guys. xxx
Alisi's Mummy says
Yeah – I’m not so sure about this Halloween thang either. But who could resist a dummy-sucking bat!
Little Ted Canvas says
It was our first too! I’ve never understood it or been a fan, but the kids were sooo excitied to get dressed up this year, there was a parade & a party at our little American friends house, but the trick or treating stayed in the grounds of the party – still fun! I love the idea of the gold ribbon..Have a wonderful week
Melbourne Mumma says
Oh, your kids are gorgeous! Great outfits! And I like the accessorising with the dummy 🙂 I blogged earlier about Halloween at our place too. We had a party and then went trick o treating. Yes it’s American tradition, and junk-food-encouraging…but too much fun to pass up!
Claire Chadwick @ Scissors Paper Rock says
Hehehe still giggling at your son’s quote about the sleepover thing not working for him 🙂 LOL!! Cute!
Love your photos….LOTS OF FUN!
xo
Buttons by Lou Lou says
We had a few visitors to mum’s house last night (where we were staying). We did an inside one for our kids this year. An adult in each room with the door closed and they went from room to room collecting their treats. They liked it.
Your dress ups look like lots of fun. Lovely family memories. Lou.
Melody says
Glad to hear the kids had a good time. They look great.
Bec says
we never celebrate Halloween either but I think we might give it a whirl next year, anything in the name of family fun as you say 🙂 Great idea that mum had too! I am going to do that. Thanks for coming over today, er youquesion my girl is 5 (almost 6).
MomAgain@40 says
No Halloween here! (South Africa)It sounds like such fun!
Next year we are definitely going to try it!
The costumes are great! 😀
Shannon of ** Happiness Is...** says
Such cutie kids!! Ahhh, Halloween is the best 🙂 xo
Carmel says
I could go on about where the tradition came from – but I won’t – just glad you had family fun!
Love the bat.
Carmel