Halloween Carnival

When we lived in Danville Ben started to attend a fun Kids Night Out event at our town's rec center.  It was five hours of babysitting which included a pizza dinner, crafts, games, a dessert, and a movie.  He attended several here and then several at a club we attended.  When we moved he continuously asked when he could attend Kids Night Out again.  Finally it dawned on me, we should have one at our place.  It would give Ben a fun night with his friends, my friends a date night out, and me the chance to throw a little party every month (without taking on all the expense myself).  So with my in-laws permission to take over their house, last month we had our first one, "Falling into Autumn," where we did leave crafts and watched Disney's Up.  This month I went all out with a Halloween Carnival and had an absolute blast with all my cute guests.  All in all I had I believe 17 little guests (which luckily included five bigger kid helpers, who took their job very seriously and were a HUGE help).  I loved planning all the activities leading up and I LOVED watching the kids have fun, especially Ben.  He just beams when he is around his friends and it is so fun to kinda spy on how he is when he's with them.  Enjoy lots of pictures.

Carnival games included Graveyard Smash, Jack-o-Lantern Toss, Witch's Hat Toss, Can Crash, and Donut on a Rope (my absolute favorite, so funny to watch). 

 

 

I love how Ben is "flying" around in the background.  He was just ecstatic the whole time and so fun to watch. 

 

I found my little niece this sweet super girl costume online so decided to dress my boys to match her (with stuff we already had).  We sure do love these little super heroes of ours. 

 

My photo booth in action.  I love opportunities to create stuff with my hands.  I used to enjoy art a lot as a kid and always find it rewarding when I get the chance to do some every now and again.  I'll definitely hang on to this for future Halloween parties.  I think they are my very favortie kind to throw. 

 

These carmel apple slices were delicious (and the perfect size for little mouths; whoever eats a whole caramel apple anyway).  The mini chocolate chips put them over the top.  I have leftovers in my fridge still.  Must eat those tomorrow.  

Now here's the donut on a rope game I was talking about.  Totally nostalgic to me.  I can remember playing this at a Halloween party as a kid.  James on the other hand had never heard of it before.  The kids thought it was so funny and it was hilarious to watch them spinning around with their mouths opened wide trying to get a bite of the powdery goodness.  

 

 

After the carnival games, a pizza dinner, and lots of trampoline jumping we played freeze dance, mummy wrap (where the kids raced to wrap their mummy in toilet paper), and mummy says.  We partied outside until their was no light left and then took the party inside.  

 

The big kids asked if they could put on a play for the little kids and they had this whole scenario wherein three girls came knocking at an old man's house to trick-or-treat, where he captured one of them and turned her into frankengirl.  The littles were so entertained and laughing the whole time.  

 

Then we snuggled up to watch Alvin & the Chipmunks Meets the Wolfman (or something like that).  No, they didn't all sit and watch the movie the entire hour and a half.  Of course not.  But they were all in all good and the big kid helpers and I had the whole place (including outside) all clean before my last little guest left.  

 

Seriously a great time.  I have loved my last two months hosting these events, but sadly wont be able to continue them (at least not in Brentwood).  Our little family will be moving to the town of Walnut Creek in just a few days and I'm so excited, but also bittersweet to be leaving my amazing in-laws house and the great friends we've made/reconnected with.  But we will be back for visits.  And maybe if my mother-in-law doesn't mind, another Kids Night Out sometime!