My very own Goose and Maverick! Can we say, reliving my youth?
Sean said he wanted to be a pilot one day in late August and I jumped on that. I'm all about taking advantage of the fact that the boys still let me decide what they wear for the most part, so this is probably my last Halloween having some say in the costume. A Pinterest search for sibling costumes and I came across the genius idea to turn the wagon into a fighter jet.
I enlisted my parents' help for design/material ideas knowing Scott was burned out on wagon transformations from our firetruck creation last Halloween. They dedicated 5+ hours one weekend in October and delivered the wagon two weeks ago, ready to go. A million thanks for their blood, sweat, and tears!
Costumes were purchased off Amazon for $20 each, Aviator sunglasses from Amazon too ($8 each), and my mom found the hats at a dollar store and sewed on the emblem that she found from JoAnne's. I love that the kids can wear warm clothes underneath in layers depending on the weather. Considering that we hit the weather jackpot both Halloween events we've attended so far, we're due for the 40 degree weather and potential snow flurries they're predicting for Halloween night.
Plymouth does such a nice job with their Pumpkin Palooza in mid-October. From 12pm-4pm, downtown shuts down traffic and all the local businesses participate in passing out treats and hosting games for the kids to play. The firetrucks show up, spooky music is playing over the loud speaker, and costume contests are held for all ages and even for pets.
Another new favorite is Greenfield Village's Hallowe'en. Last year was our first year going since we were members and we took a risk, skipping the Zoo Boo, and attending Greenfield Village. It was a million times better than the Zoo Boo! From the Grim Reaper to the spooky bridge with smoke and strobe lights, there was so much more to see and do for the kids. Well worth the extra money!
6:30 is the first time slot and truthfully, the best with little kids. It's light out when we arrive and it's dark out when we leave. We were home by 8:30 and even had time to stop at a little cafe inside of GV for some hot cider and donuts! Even spiked cider...
The weather was in the low 60's and high 50's! In late October! Can you believe it? It was absolutely beautiful. I don't even think Scott minded that he was missing the precious Michigan vs. Michigan State football game.
With fall and it's beautiful colors going by so quickly it seems this year, I knew we needed one last trip to the Cider mill. We haven't had a chance to get out to Three Cedars where we had Sean's birthday party last year, so that was our destination when I had an unexpected day at home with the boys on Friday! Every one had the same idea in mind. The place was packed, but we still had a blast!
Even a complete outfit change in an outhouse complete with a port-a-potty and all in some pretty damp, chilly weather didn't put a damper on our day out. (Seriously though, Evan?) Accident free for weeks and we're stuck changing clothes in a wet, filthy, cold bathroom. My worst potty training nightmare, for sure.
What trip to Three Cedars wouldn't be complete without standing on the big rolls of hay? Is there a technical term for these hay rolls? If so, oops!
Last, but not least, our final step in preparing for Halloween and the end of October is carving pumpkins! I don't know why I always think this is going to be such a fun, perfect family moment. Because it never is. Mixing sharp knives, sharpie markers, messy pumpkin guts and seeds, and two little boys together on a Sunday night was just a total cluster. We now have sharpie on our hard word floor and a piece of my sanity is still MIA. But, at least they look cute in the pumpkin carving mess we created...
And our final product...
We have two carved pumpkins, pumpkin seeds are baked (and tasty!), and some Goose and Maverick costumes all laid out and ready for some trick-or-treating on Friday! The tradition continues of going over to my sister-in-law's house so the cousins can all go out together for candy. Chili, hot cider, a bonfire, etc.! I'm excited and so relieved that it's on a Friday this year. I have a feeling two little boys will be dragging in swim class on Saturday morning...