This is Halloween

 October!  The kids remembered an art kit from last year they didn't finish, and got right to work creating a few spooktacular pieces.  Owen watched "The Nightmare Before Christmas" one weekend and "This is Halloween" became his favorite song.  He requested it on every car ride and I want to say we listened to it no less than 100 times but that is surely an exaggeration.  His comment, "This is the most perfect Halloween song and I feel like I should listen to it every single hour."

Reading the Halloween Berenstein Bear book sent by Grandma and Grandpa:

The weekend before Halloween, we attended the Bower's couple costume party.

Love the Tooth Fairy/Dentist combo:

Brady is a Monster-era and I'm a ginger.  These are funny costumes based on Kaua'i foliage but we learned right away that they are not funny to anyone on the mainland.

Brady found his twin.

Tourists:

Reality v. Instagram:

I loved this decor on Wili-Wili track: a surfer dropping in on another surfer.

Kate wore her costume to school on their costume day and won for Cutest 6th Grade costume.  Even though it was less hot outside than in years' past, she reported that tights are still too toasty here.

After a COVID break, our ward sponsored the annual Trunk or Treat.  Kate invited her friends Daysha and Summer to come with us and did a good job making sure they were comfortable in an unfamiliar setting.  On the way to the pick up Daysha, I bumped a curb by Summer's house and my chili went flying.  Drenched with saucy beans and chunks of meat, I wondered if my car would forever smell like cumin and chili powder.  I used my stash of wet wipes but that cleaned up about 1/13 of the mess.  I saw the gas station and thought of all the business I've given them over 15 years and unabashedly used their paper towels to wipe up the car.  Kate was so embarrassed and also impatient to pick up Daysha, but we got through it and after wiping the car thoroughly at the church, I'm happy to report there was no cumin coming out of my vents or smells of moldy meat percolating through the air the next week.  I also went a little crazy scrubbing the mats when we got home that night, thinking of all the cars I know about with cockroaches and critters.  Whew.  We are several weeks out and no such misery for us!

I wondered if Owen's costume would be cumbersome but he loved waddling around.  Yee-haw!

Another inflatable success:

Candid moments during costume parties are the best.

Owen and his friend "Maverick," who came riding his mini-motorcycle:

The Bachelor and his dates (or a Mormon polygamist...?):

The after-party candy coma:

Early the next morning, we attended the third annual "Hilloween" sponsored by Kate's ballet studio.  The rain was heavy in the days prior which meant the course had adjustments for safety, and it also meant running the same 1-mile loop three times rather than doing the more scenic 5K Derek worked so hard to create.  It was still gorgeous trail run and Owen and I had a party running together.  The hill at the beginning was so steep and difficult that my legs were numb and I wondered how my little Owen's legs were faring.  He said the race was harder than the 5.5 miler mud race because of the hills, but he ran the entire way and finished beaming.

Kate won 2nd female overall and first in her age group.  Zachary was 4th overall and placed 2nd in his age group, beating out a few Cross Country friends that usually beat him.  He is so skilled on trails!  Owen ran his heart out and placed first in his age group.  Brady was the timer so he was completely tied up and unable to photograph the kids as they cruised by.

Where's Waldo?  Zac is running with pink locks, I am dressed as a piece of candy corn running behind a masked little boy, and Kate is leading the pack as a witch.

The winning costume: happy pills.

Travis impersonating the obnoxious sign flipper in Lihue who aggressively lets you know Jesus is coming for you, and it won't be good news.

Owen's friend, Xavien (on the right) met up with him on the trail and just like the last race, they cruised to the finish together.  What a sweet, encouraging kid.

Pre-race ballet warm-ups, which were perfect for a race sponsored by a ballet studio!

The proud organizers from Elf, Derek and Hilary:

These boys are the sweetest and encouraged Owen to join their photo.  They also kept picking him up and putting him on their shoulders. 

The next afternoon was pumpkin carving time, and Brady and the kids sliced up their designs.  Owen was crushed when their pumpkin had turned rotten already.  

Zachary carved Isaac's face into his:

Kate's, with freckles!

That evening, we spent a couple hours walking and talking with the Stebbins and Clarks at Mahaulepu.  The kids almost never want to go on our Sunday walks but they love it once we're out and about.

The next morning, I attended the Koloa Elementary Costume Parade and Trunk-or-Treat before racing off to my school.  The best part of my modified schedule is getting to sneak in the Run Club volunteering every Thursday and not miss school events like this one.  I'm so proud of Sarina and our PTA--our school has come miles in parent involvement and participation over the years.  There are still only 5 people at meetings but at least we are starting to mobilize more parents.

Our previous next-door-neighbor, Lauren:

Sarina, the PTA queen bee, who is running the event just days after shoulder surgery.

Owen joined Jurassic Park for his photo op.

Owen got home that afternoon and said he was glad to have a break before Halloween. He spent his time cuddling Roxy, throwing baseballs with me, and eating so much of his Trunk-or-Treat candy.  It killed my mom instincts to watch him pound the candy right before leaving to get more.

We met up Zac and Brady after soccer practice and Kate after ballet to go Trick-or-Treating in the Clarks' neighborhood.

Zachary, Caleb and Nate:

Chaos before the snapshot: arguing over the dog, two boys ride a dino, and I hide a Target bag.

Kate won the argument, two boys still riding the dino, and Target bag eliminated.  Check.

My favorite costume of 2022:

The teens ran off, the tweens ran off, and the 6-year-old dino happily waddled around the neighborhood with Mom and Dad.  Watching him go upstairs was my favorite.  Despite the popularity of these costumes, he was praised at every doorstep for the originality of the costume and people called for aunties and uncles to "Come see!"

Stopping at the Summerhays.

Getting out of the rain at the Smith's grave:

Roxy-girl, there is nothing scary about you.

The Israelson's yard was covered in creative headstones:

I loved walking around the neighborhood and knowing nearly every person we passed.  It's satisfying to be part of a community and it makes me want to reach out more and help others feel the same way.  

The aftermath:

Zachary gave his dog bling.

The kids ate their candy for days and then coughed it up for cash.  That's a very worthy trade in my book, and by the time the candy is a few days old, it's "Kauaified"--sticky, melted, and otherwise less-than-appealing.  For the candy adicts out there (pointing at myself), it's a good way to enforce moderation.  

Happy Halloween!