Halloween

A very exciting event took place this past weekend here in our little Aussie suburb, Halloween. Some of you might say, well obviously, it is that time of year. Here in Australia however it's not a tradition. We have been celebrating for 4 years with our annual Halloween party for the kids. A way for them to be able to trick or treat without knocking on doors. This year we had 7 families participate in running 8 stations of spooky fun; find the critters in the worms, ghost bowling, Halloween craft, put-your-hand-in-the-gooey-stuff, Jack O lantern bean bag toss, bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the cat, and an eyeball egg and spoon race. We had 30 children join in. Everyone put in such a huge effort and they had a ball.

Since we moved to Australia 8 years ago the local shops have started to pick up their game. It started with a few spooky looking treats down the lolly isle, a handful of gory plastic moulded masks to, present day, full blown sections in the grocery and dollars stores and actual orange pumpkins with carving tips!!! Joy! I have felt something a brewin' in the last couple of years especially and we decided this year to do something about it. We did a letter drop the week before in our neighbourhood. My 4 year old exclaiming "oh my gosh mum! This is sooo cool! I have never done anything like this before!" (She may have a paper route in her near future.) The jack o lantern card asked that if anyone wanted to participate in trick or treating to place the card on the front of their mailbox. As 5 o'clock grew nearer, I worried that no one would join in, but boy was I wrong. I turned down the street and almost wept. There were loads of kids dressed up and knocking! I couldn't believe the community spirit. I even heard someone saying that there were kids coming from the neighbouring suburb because they heard that Halloween was alive in ours!

It was a massive 12 hour celebration. I can not wait until next year. Thank you everyone who joined in. You made this Canadian very happy.

Comments

[Baye]

I'm glad to hear that the tradition is growing. It is such fun to see the kids-big and little--at the door.

[Cate Holst]

Wow, it looks like your party was a run-away success!! Cate

[Lara]

Hi Hon,
Although no photos to share we also had a great halloween in ol'London town! Not bright sunny sunshine a la Oz, but dark, dreary night with oodles of scary looking kids turning up. Ella insisted on showing the princess side of her reversible witch outfit and asked Mummy to 'do my hair like Cinderella' complete with ribbon. I am starting to really dig Halloween!
Lara