We had a surprise on a visit to Walmart when we noticed that the Spirit Halloween store in Canton was already opened and while they did not have all the new items that were going to be available for 2019, they did have enough to make it worth while. Lots of scary clowns this year and a large water display in the center of the store that looks like it will be an underwater type of haunt, most likely using lamps that create the illusion of an under water lair so it should be unique and interesting.

Looks like its going to be a banner year for Halloween, although even we must concede that its a wee bit early. Looking back at last year it was at least 3 weeks later in the year (Aug 17 2018) when the first Halloween store opened.

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We visited the “Made in Michigan Market” which was held in Canterbury Village. This was the first time I ever saw the Canterbury Village parking lot full, with additional parking across the street. Fortunately we were lucky and got a good spot as someone was pulling out. Lots of interesting booths and we decided to sign up with home delivery for the Free Press as they gave us Kroger gift cards to do so. It should be fun for James to get a morning paper to read as we think he will enjoy it. Mom got a free umbrella for signing up too, its design was based on the comic section of the Free Press.

One sad note, we found out the Department 56 store was closed, we purchased many of our Halloween display ceramics there and it will be missed.

After we left Canterbury we visited Great Lakes Crossing which is only a few miles away, a good time was had by all.

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James got a new snorkel and mask set and is practicing his snorkeling in the back yard pool. While the water is much cleaner in the pool than it is in a lake or ocean, it gives James a pretty good idea of the limitations of the mask while he is underwater.

James got a new pool for making the honor roll and graduating from a sophomore to the threshold of High School Junior. The pool was actually ordered online with free delivery (which saved much energy lugging it in and out of of the car). As usual we had to battle the level issue with the back yard, but eventually I think we got it right. We also used James’ metal detector to make sure the area was free of metal which could puncture the pool, then added two tarps to also help protect the bottom of the pool.