My sons were born on October 1st. There were lots of celebrations bookended up against their birthday so having a Halloween Party often substituted for a big bash on their birthday. I used to remember all the costumes they wore but have forgotten some over the years. I do remember the fun.

Their first Halloween, they were only a month old and my dad brought home little derby hats and took them around to neighbors and showed off his grandsons as Laurel & Hardy. He was always so very proud of them.

The first several years I would use those soft, feet in sleepers as the inspiration for their costumes. One that was particularity cute was a blue sleeper that had a little lion embroidered over the heart area. So I made them a lion's mane out of orange yarn and drew whiskers on their faces.

One of the parties I remember the best was at our house on Catawba Street. We moved the furniture around and got the whole family involved. My father-in-law was visiting and was the Mad Scientist in the kitchen. My Mom wore frightening make-up and told scary stories in one of the bedrooms. The whole house was transformed into our own Haunted House experience. It was a blast.

When I was a child in Arlington, we would go to Westover Shopping Center for a costume contest. My Mom was creative and I remember one year my costume was a robot made out of a box covered in tinfoil. They had to slide me into the back of the station wagon to transport me.

I remember going trick or treating around the block and the wonderful crackle of the leaves under our feet and the smells of cider and cinnamon doughnuts. It was fun going through our bags and pushing away the apples and popcorn balls and eating the candy corn and miniature snickers until I experienced a "sugar high."

Even now as an adult I enjoy this holiday. A few years ago I went to Hillsboro State Park and went through their haunted woods. It scared me but was tons of fun. This year I went to ZooBoo at the Lowry Park Zoo. It was great fun and definitely frightening. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/zooboo/index.html

My son, Jim and his family were inspired by Star Wars this year. I am sure the force will be with them.



Tom and his family had fun at a Fall Festival over the weekend. it sounds like they had a great time. Fall is a wonderful time for family fun. I hope you and your family have a safe and fantastic holiday and Fall season.