Halloween Recap 2012

If you know the Griffin clan, you know we spread our holiday celebrations over multiple days.  Hank decided he'd had enough of his "special spot"/birthmark earlier in the month and it was only fitting to have it removed in time for some Halloween appropriate stitches.  Hank was awake for the entire procedure.  They gave him 5 shots to numb the area.  He handled it like the champion he is.  It was a bit more invasive than we had anticipated.  I feel a little sad having his sebaceous nevi gone.  Hank loved grossing out all his friends at school the next day.  He won't let me clean off any of the dried blood.  It's disgusting.  I can't wait to get the stitches out this week.

 It wouldn't be Halloween without the Evil Ball.  Randy and I took home the funniest costume award for our representation of Michael Phelps and an Olympic Gymnast.  I think everyone just gave us a prize for dancing around 1/2 naked all night.  I still can't believe I went pants-less.  If you haven't busted a move without pants on recently, you should try it.  It's kinda fun.

 My mom was the girl from the movie "The Birds" and my dad was a bird.  Sarah and Brett spent countless hours crafting their pumpkin heads.  All their hard work paid off and they took home the most creative costume award.  Chris and Missie reclaimed their title of best overall costume.  It was a sweep for the Wankier Posse.

Here's a better shot of Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin head,.

I got a kick out of watching them break it down on the dance floor.

I'm a lucky lady.

 The Evil Ball Dictator never disappoints with his costume.  He was Teen Wolf this year and it was nothing short of perfection.  This year, the party moved upstairs at the Red Lion and they had a legit DJ.  The Evil Ball is becoming the real deal, a far cry from the early days in Phil and Jil's house. 

Randy and I had a blast.  I look forward to that party all year.

The kids had a party of their own thanks to their awesome Grandma Jeri.  Max couldn't stop talking about how fun it was when he got home.  She simply amazes me.  I love her black widow costume.

The kids have been dying to carve their pumpkins all month.  They couldn't wait to get started.  Hank and Max really helped out this year.  Carving pumpkins is such a mess but they were quite proud of the result.  Hank's pumpkin was the creepy hands, Max's was the bat, and mine was the witch.  Randy ran out of steam and didn't carve his.  I don't think my kids will get over it!

Now...Halloween!  Since the kids can't wear masks to school, I had to do my best with make-up at 6:45 a.m.  Hank was pretty pleased with his punk zombie attire.  He told me he was tired of being a ninja and wanted to be something scary.  Mission accomplished.

Good thing Max decided to be a desert ninja.  I don't know what I would do without at least one of my boys in ninja garb.  I helped out with Max's preschool Halloween party.  Nothing like sixteen kids high on sugar in a confined space.  It was nuts.

After a little rest, we were ready to gear up for one of the warmest trick or treating nights I can remember.  I couldn't wait to try on Sam's vampire costume.  I think the blood in the corners of his mouth combined with the slicked back hair made the perfect costume.  He loved wearing it too which was the funniest part.

Everyone came over to have soup and trick-or-treat in our neighborhood.  I love this tradition.  It's kind of nice to have everyone come to me.

Colby was a zombie, Lennon a butterfly, and Dyson...too cool to come hang out at Auntie Annie's house.

Lucy was an adorable nerd, Isabel was Gothic little red riding hood, and Jack was bones.  Considering what a hectic day it was, the evening turned out to be quite low key.  It was anything but low key for Hank, however.  He had his goal set high for the quantity of candy he would collect.  You know Hank doesn't do anything half way.  He ran around our neighborhood and Jeri's all night long, pushing through low blood sugar and fatigue to obtain over 6 pounds of candy!  He hasn't eaten one piece of it and is turning it into the dentist for a dollar a pound.  On top of that, he stands to make money from Grandpa Curt, Grandma Jackie and Randy and me.  I'm sure he'll turn a nice profit on the deal and he deserves every penny.  Halloween isn't the easiest holiday to be a kid with diabetes but he handles it amazingly well.  It's a little ironic the next day is National Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Day.

I know I say this all the time but Hank truly amazes me.  What an incredible little boy I have.  He takes all this stupid disease throws at him in stride and doesn't let it stop him for a minute.  I for one am relieved to have Halloween behind me this year. I'm not that excited to be entering Christmas season though...ugh.  I need a nap.