Tag: Halloween
After Halloween Sale 2015
This was a strange year for after Halloween specials because Nov 1st was a Sunday and we really did not know what to expect. For the second year in a row James was with us for the shopping and having more people is always helpful (Mom used to do this all by herself in the past). What we found was not as many great sales – Halloween City and Target only offered 30% off – but you could still find them if you looked (Michaels 80% sale was awesome). Spirit, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart were all at 50% off so its still the normal percentage discount. Another bit of a surprise was the Christmas Tree Shop and Home Depot were 50% off before Halloween so it could be said Nov 1st no longer has exclusive rights on the Halloween sales. Regardless we did very well and declared Michaels this years winner (CVS was last year with 90% off). Some of the items were not perfect but all are quite fixable, most just needing new batteries or a wire soldered here and there. Once again, today was when Dad got his Christmas gifts which makes this extra special for me.
Trick or Treat 2015
James dressed up as Luigi this year, staying with the Mario Brother theme. James set a new record by trick or treating all the way to Academy (the previous record was Grindley which is one block closer. James favorite candy was nerd candy and sometimes Dad could hear him asking “Do you have any nerds?” as he trick or treated.
Mom handed out candy and dressed up as a pizza this year. Probably an average crowd showed up trick or treating due to the light rain which was more of an irritant than anything else.
Halloween at Greenfield Village 2015
James was given 3 passes to Greenfield Village by one of his friends family (Thanks Ben’s Dad) and when we had a choice of wasting another Sunday on the Lions or visiting Greenfield Village we took the obvious choice. We were hoping to go on Saturday but because of the rain we postponed it till Sunday. James had lots of fun as usual and acted as our tour guide on this visit and used the map he was given to navigate us through the village. Pumpkins were everywhere and it was the perfect combination of Fall, Halloween, and History by the people of Greenfield Village and Ford Motor (James Grandad and Great Grand Dad both retired from Fords). In fact, we even saw Ben’s Dad there driving a horse drawn carriage. Mom’s favorite part was the Robert Frost house while James enjoyed the graveyard. Dad’s favorite was the creepy little forest with the spiders in the tree.
Everytime we go to the village or the museum here we have a great time, why we don’t go more often I will never know.
Best Decorated Halloween Homes 2015
We do this every few years and take pics of some of our favorite Halloween homes. All of these are a few blocks from James and all are unique in one way or another. There are many many more decorated homes but we only have space to put up a few of our favorites. These homes look very good in the daylight so you have to assume they look great at night. The neighborhood we live in has always been very active in decorating for every Holiday, guess we are just lucky. One of our favorites is the skeleton tree where all the skeletons are made out of gallon milk jugs.
James Halloween Party 2015
James had his annual Halloween party and everyone had a wonderful time. Its really hard to believe that this is his fifth year of doing this, and he (or should I say “we”) are still having fun. This year we had plenty of crafts for the kids, and also a few jokes and magic effects. We often say this isn’t really a party, more of a get together or open house since we don’t have any scheduled events or anything like that. Folks can stop in from 2pm till 7pm to say hi and can stay for a few minute or a few hours, whatever their schedule allows. James is very thankful to all who did attend and plans to have his 2016 Halloween Party on Oct 22nd, 2016.
Please note that the video below is a multiple video playlist, to play from the beginning simply click play, to view the list and jump around click the upper left corner of the playlist with the three horizontal lines.
Trick or Treat 2014
Trick or Treat finally arrived for a very anxious James who only had a half a day of school this day and by the time 6pm came he was ready to go.
James went down Tulane to Dartmouth, then Vassar to Annapolis and back before making his first candy deposit. He then went down Tulane to Annapolis and back for his second deposit, and finally Parker and into Dearborn for his third.
For the third year in a row the weather did not cooperate and we could not put up the inflatables. Always a bummer until Trick or Treat ends then you are glad you don’t have to mess with them at 9pm.
James did a cute pumpkin that was angry birds on one side and pig king on the other. A great day despite the weather (and yes, there were a few white flakes).
Halloween at Greenfield Village 2014
After a thrilling Lion victory in England, we decided to celebrate by going to Greenfield Village and enjoying another beautiful autumn day. For the second straight day the temperatures were in the mid sixties and it was bright and sunny.
Greenfield Village was lined with pumpkins and various Halloween decorations, perhaps the best example of this was the band stand and a graveyard by the Church. There were plenty of witch items and even a creepy woods for visitors to enjoy as they passed through various creepy things. James played a bit in the new playground and enjoyed visiting the lake with all the ducks. He also met one of his teachers from Hoover Elementary while he was at the Village, a small world indeed.
Halloween at Frankenmuth 2014
In what many expect to be the last really nice weekend of the year, we decided to visit Frankenmuth during the heart of the Halloween season and see what its like. James was able to participate in some very unique Halloween activities including pumpkin bowling (he threw a spare), exploring through a hay maze, and a pumpkin catapult. We then ate dinner at the Bavarian Inn and then explored Bronners. We finished up the day at a couple antique stores where we picked up a couple Halloween cookie jars at less than half price (which we added to our Halloween cookie jar shelf in the basement) and a Halloween blow mold of a ghost coming out of a pumpkin which we added to our Halloween display.
What a great atmosphere they have in Frankenmuth, so much to do and best of all most of the really fun stuff is free or very inexpensive. Very creative in this city, their chamber of commerce should be proud at how well all the businesses work together to put on a great show. All in all a great “summerish” day in late October.
James Halloween Party 2014
James held his fourth Halloween party for his friends, this time students from his new “middle” school attended as well as the elementary school. James was much more involved in this years party in everything from the planning and decorations to the beverages that were served. James had several highlights including playing UNO with his teacher and seeing both his new teachers and his past teachers. The costume of choice for the kids seemed to be Mario Brothers and Mom got several compliments on her pumpkin cake. The favorite decoration seemed to be the Exorcist although the graveyard and pumpkin bar got several compliments as well.
All in all a great day! James says next years party will be October 10th.
Please note that the video below is a multiple video playlist, to play from the beginning simply click play, to view the list and jump around click the upper left corner of the playlist with the three horizontal lines.
