Halloween 2015
This year, Halloween really sneaked up on us. Maybe it was because Keegan is growing up and he is too big for the rides at the pumpkin patches; or maybe it was because we had multiple heat waves back to back, and the hottest October in history: great for hanging out in the pool but not as good for getting in the Halloween spirit. In fact, this year, we did not even carved a pumpkin: I guess that if you try to get one the night before Halloween, there are no pumpkins to be had. Oooops.
We compensated by visiting the Rise of The Pumpkins, a great “art exhibit” of more than 5000 pumpkins decorated and lit up by artists. It was set up at the Safari Park, along a trail, and it was amazing. I really want to go back next year. Many of the creations used multiple pumpkins to create complex figures, but there were also many, many single pumpkins scattered everywhere: a great source of inspiration…for next year I guess.
Most of the pieces where arranged by themes and there was also an amazing dragon, created by hundreds of pumpkins. It is the symbol of the event.
Can you guess what are you looking at in the photos below? Don’t peek.
jellyfidsh
apatosaurus and a screaming Keegan (giraffe in the background)
triceratop
Other creations were more “traditional”, carved directly on the skin of the pumpkin. There were famous movies characters, politicians, and of course The Star Wars pumpkin, a crowd’s favorite
It was really fun. I did some decorating in the house, and even at work. Yep, I get to do arts and crafts at work…but do not be fooled: creating the window decor was not as easy as it looks, and the window is about 4 feet in diameter.
Other than that, though, the only other pre-Halloween event was the annual Halloween Carnival at Keegan’s school. The biggest preoccupation for the Halloween Parade was trying to find enough tents to shield the kids from the hot sun! Only in San Diego… It started with the band playing music. Keegan was participating too this year, even if he just started band and he is in the lowest level, cadet. The cadets were responsible for playing a random, loud note, to punctuate the punch line of various Halloween jokes. He was very excited about it, and took it very seriously.
After the performance, each class paraded down the courtyard to show off their costumes. It is always nice to check out all these kids and their creative get ups. Keegan, this year, chose to go as Comm. Fox, head of the Clone Troopers.
typical Keegan’s expression…
After the parade, it is fun time for the kids – and a lot less fun for the parents – and the kids spent time at the various attractions, including the hunted house, and the various booths. Fortunately, they were a little more independent this year, and I did not have to safeguard them any minute. But…what happens when I do not check on Keegan every minute? He comes back with a HUGE teddy bear he won at one of the games. And I mean HUGE! Almost as tall as he is!
That, of course, did not stop him from taking it to bed with him, to join the ever growing collection of sleeping buddies. It is amazing he finds any space in his bed to sleep at at all.
We finally went home by late afternoon, and rested. The following day, Halloween Day, was a quiet one. We actually convinced Keegan to break with tradition and to go to some friends’ party instead of trick or treating in the neighborhood. It was a tough fight, but he finally agreed. The only catch was WE had to dress up too. I have not dressed up for decades, but I dusted off an old costume idea, the horn-y angel, and updated for my new body. Matt went as a devil, a quite popular costume this year…maybe because it is the easiest one to pull off?
So we all got ready, and headed over Ezra’s and Quinn’s (Keegan’s friends) house for the big night.
The party was fun, and it was nice, for once to be involved in the festivities, as adults. There was great food, nice conversation and great candy. Good thing we get along well with Shelly and Danny, the parents. Shelly was a devil too, so we made a good couple.
Matt and I make a better couple, though, don’t you think?
what a handsome devil!
We trick or treated in Ocean Bach this time, and, even if we did not get quite the loot we got last year, it was still fun. The kids played and we had dinner and relaxed. It was a really nice evening.
We capped the Halloween weekend and the Day of the Dead by going to the beach. It was sunny and warm, so it was a wonderful way to spend November 1 (yes, we are rubbing it in again). We headed to La Jolla Shore in the morning, so we found parking pretty easily, and the beach was not too crowded.
Keegan brought his wetsuit and body-board and he had a blast catching the good size waves with Matt. In fact, the water was so “warm” (72 degrees), that even I ventured in…and this makes it twice in a year, record! It was great, very invigorating (I did not have a wetsuit) and fun. A great workout too, right?
With Halloween firmly behind us, we are diving head first in my “favorite” time of the year: the Holidays. Wish me luck!
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