Fall into FUN! - But be a safe trick or treater too

I have to say, having two small children who can be bended to my creative will is pretty fun. First year with two kids, we did Cinderella and a pumpkin. Second year? Ariel and Sebastian. This year? Elsa and Olaf. Can you see a trend here? Well, I know time is short. Eventually, my son will assert his own will, and the Disney princess theme will be out for him.

But for now...it's all good. And super, super cute.

However, as we get ready to take to the neighborhood streets on tomorrow's night of fright (man, that sounds so much grittier than it actually is in a neighborhood like mine!), one thing this OCD mama isn't going to do is get too comfortable and relaxed about safety. No matter how docile your neighborhood is, here are five tips, poached from various sources and my own experience, that will keep everyone a little safer on this spooky night.

1. Light the night. You don't have to go all crazy with reflective material. There are definitely better, more fun ways to keep those kids bright and shiny in the dark. Not only do stores sell cute, battery-operated lanterns now, but an even easier, cooler, and cheaper way to light those kids up is with glow necklaces, bracelets, wands, etc. You can buy a ton for a low price, and I bet the kids won't complain at all!

2. Know where you're going. Sometimes, certain neighborhoods are heralded as "the place to trick or treat." And there's nothing wrong with that. But it helps if you know someone in the neighborhood you are planning to visit, and if not, think twice about visiting strange doors. Well-lighted streets with sidewalks are a huge bonus, and it's always better when you can go with a bigger group.

3. Stay close. If your children are small, this is a no brainer. You will be walking hand in hand with them (remember, if there are no sidewalks, walk against traffic and keep the little ones on the inside!). However, if your kids are older and expect more independence, sticking close can be a bit of a challenge. Don't fret. Learn to compromise, whether that means you'll be following them in the car, parking on the corner, or checking in with them at various times.

4. You know the drill. No unwrapped candy! Hate to be a party pooper here, but I'm suspicious of anything that doesn't come in a store bought wrapper. Maybe homemade pumpkin cookies are super, super cute, but if something's not sealed, you take your chances! And that's a scary thought.

5. Finally, double check the costume. Is it highly flammable? Something your child can trip in? What about shoes? Will your little one be complaining of barking feet before you make it one street? Make sure your child is warm and comfortable for an evening trek.

Well, I hope this helps! I'm certainly ready for tomorrow. In addition to my little Elsa and Olaf, the hubby agreed to don reindeer antlers (to be Sven), and I have a snowflake necklace and white hairspray to go as "Winter." And if we get bored with trick or treating, maybe the four of us will simply go build a snowman.

You know, if this were a snowy place and all.

That's all for October! Stay tuned next month when we take on holiday shopping!

Fall into FUN - Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! Let's go Haunt the Zoo...

Okay. I'll admit it. I've become a bit of a zoo rat.

Yeah, the family and I, we like to get going early on a Saturday morning, beat the traffic to the Oklahoma City Zoo, and sneak into the petting zoo before it becomes a zoo (hah!). Then it's a fun-filled race to see as many animals as we can before the two-year-old melts down over the penny machine.

So, imagine how excited we are about this year's 31st Haunt the Zoo! In an effort to bring you some of the best the area has to offer in spookified entertainment (such as the nearby Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch and Lake Arcadia's Storybook Forest), I figured this event is a another great way to lead up to the final spooky day of the year. Besides, if you paid as much as I did for a preschooler Olaf costume, you're going to want to get as much mileage out of that baby as you can.

Presented by the Children's Hospital Volunteers and Kohl's Cares, this year's Haunt the Zoo runs 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Sunday, October 26, through Friday, October 31. Not only do children get the opportunity to follow the pumpkin-lined pathway that stops at fantasy-themed booths to collect treats from volunteers, but the price of admission ($6 in advance or $7 at the gate) includes an official treat bag. Accompanying adults ages 18 and older are admitted free.

"As a mom (and of course, a huge Haunt the Zoo fan), I can tell you that this is a great event for families!" says Candice Rennels, marketing and public relations manager for the Oklahoma City Zoo. “Haunt the Zoo mixes the fun of trick-or-treating with the uniqueness of the Zoo. Each night families can experience the lights and sights of Haunt the Zoo as the event trail comes to life. The 21 themed booths along the trail feature family-friendly themes, decorations and props that are 'Oh so merry and not too scary,' making it perfect for little ones."

Well, I'm sold. Sounds like an event the kids won't forget anytime soon. And there's nothing wrong with making even Halloween a special memory.

 

Stay tuned next week as we gear up for trick or treating!

 

 

Fall into FUN - Getting happy/spooky at Storybook Forest

Well, the Olaf costume came just yesterday, and my two-year-old son is pretty pumped - to look at it. No worries, I'm sure he'll be ready for it's cuddly warmth when Storybook Forest opens on October 23.

Fingers crossed the weather will cooperate.

Anyway, my little guy is trying to figure out this Halloween thingy, so his older sister now has him doing the craziest thing. First he says "Happy" with a bright smile, followed by "Spooky" in an obligatory deep voice and complimented by wide eyes. (Update...we discovered they learned this from an episode of Team Umizoomi).

It's so very funny. And it reminds me of exactly what Storybook Forest feels like to me. First off, there's nothing like driving up to Lake Arcadia, parking, and breathing in the smell of campfire as people roast marshmallows and sit on hay bales. This is all before you get in line for the main event - the "forest." You enter under a sign that says, "Once Upon a Time," which sets you on a wooded path.

Lake Arcadia at dusk, right before heading into Storybook Forest!

Spooky!

Once on the path, you begin a journey through nursery rhymes and fairy tales. One of the first things you'll see is Rapunzel letting down her hair and throwing candy at you.

Happy!

Of course, as you wind through the fairy tales, your child receives more candy at each one. (BTW, don't forget your trick or treat buckets! I've learned my lesson the hard way, with coat pockets stuffed to the brim with melting chocolate!) You may find some of the setups a little disturbing, but nothing too scary for the kids - Snow White, the three little pigs, and Hansel and Gretel's witch, to name a few.

Spooky!

At the end of the trail, one finally arrives at the hayride (get there early, as the line gets long) and carnival type games that bring back those fall festivals my school used to have. Little prizes can be added to your child's candy stash, and your little one will go home with the scent of autumn in their spirit and their hair (I means, seriously, that campfire smell really sticks around!).

Happy!

So check it out, and if you haven't already, check out last week's post on the Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch. Because autumn comes 'round only once a year, and if you blink, you'll miss it.

Spooky!

Fall into FUN! - Let's go a pumpkin' patchin'

Ever since my family and I settled in Edmond several years ago, we have made a yearly journey (with our neighbors!) to the Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch. The first year, I had to chase my eighteenth-month-old daughter, who was overcome with excitement at the site of pallets upon pallets of pumpkins. This was on an unseasonably warm October day while I handled the exhaustion that comes from being two months pregnant. But it was so much fun, I vowed to return every year.

And I have.

The next year, it was unseasonably cold, my two-year-old daughter was now obsessed with the pygmy goats, and my six-month-old son looked like an Eskimo, barely able to be spotted amongst the blankets, mittens, and hats we covered him in. But we still managed a hayride.

And last year? Well, with two walkers, I had my work cut out for me. The three-year-old wanted a pony ride, as well as treats from the country store, and my eighteenth-month-old son was like, "Hey! This fire stuff is awesome!"

I said all that to say this: every year has been a treat, which means, I'm pumped to get back there in just the next few weeks. In case you haven't been out to this nearby pumpkin patch, and you're dying to try it, here are a few of the highlights...

Pumpkins! Well, duh. In fact, a small pumpkin is included with the price of admission, although many others are for sale.

Farm animals and more! Parkhurst will let you feed goats, hold a bunny, and even ride a pony (pony rides do have an extra charge). Just remember to purchase food for feeding the animals from Parkhurst, and then get a kick out of watching them mill around you like paparazzi stalking a celebrity!

Corn maze. Forget the movie Signs. Have your own exhilarating adventure (hopefully alien free!) in Parkhurst's offering.

Hayrides. Because nothing says "autumn" quite like it.

Concessions and more! Visit the fall-flavored in-door concession stand and then enjoy roasting marshmallows over a fire pit or lounging in a hammock. There's even a small fort for young children to play in (as well as a Cinderella carriage--pictured above--for extra photo ops).

Well, I hope that gives you some motivation to get in the fall spirit. For a comprehensive list of other pumpkin patches in the area, check out this link. Otherwise, stay tuned for my post about Storybook Forest next week!

Fall into FUN! - A blog lineup that will have you chanting "We love pumpkins!"

Okay. The last few months, we've been a little serious here at Mom Around Town. And I know it's totally awesome that we have come to some deeper understanding of life. Sit with me and chant, "Ooommmm."

But moving on...

This month I want to talk to you about all the ah-mazing fall things this area has to offer to get you in that autumn spirit. I mean, really, just shout, "Pumpkin Spice Latte!" and I'm about as autumn-spirited as they come. But in case you're trying to work up the energy to spiderweb your door or put some spooky stuff in that yard, here are some opportunities to getcha in the mood!

October 9 - Pumpkins, pumpkins, we love pumpkins! I'm going to take us out to Arcadia, where the Parkhurst Ranch offers a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, bonfires, and of course, pumpkins! Oh, and there's a corn maze too. Why does that always make me think of the movie Signs? So creepy...but even better for getting in the spooky spirit!

October 16 - Lake Arcadia's Storybook Forest! Opening October 23 this year, the Storybook Forest offers those kiddos the chance to trick or treat with all their favorite story book characters, from Rapunzel to the Three Little Pigs. Also, not only can your kids dress up and explore the lovely trail through the woods, but there are carnival-like games at the end as well.

October 23 - Haunt the Zoo! What's more fun than seeing all those crazy animals? Seeing them while your kid is dressed in a rockin' costume, of course, at Haunt the Zoo! Starting October 26, this event gets the week of Halloween started with a roar.

October 30 - Trick or Treat Safety. Did I say we're going to have fun this month? I did. I totally did. But on this night before the scariest night of all, we'll be addressing the basics of trick or treating safety, with some cool ideas to keep your children from thinking, "Parents are such a drag."

So stay tuned for some spookilicious information! Because those of us with kids need to participate in this stuff while we've got an excuse to do so!

Ten things to do with all that candy...

Have you seen the size of the  trick-or-treating buckets at Target this year? The thought of that much candy makes my head hurt (and I cringe at the thought of the next trip to the dentist).

But what to do? Closely packed neighborhoods, which practically have a "no tolerance" policy for anyone who would dare give fruit or pencils to candy-seeking kiddos, now throw a sugar extravaganza on this night, with parents frantically stashing away gigantic bags of sugary goodness to make sure they're not  the ones who find egg on their house.

My kids, of course, are already buzzed at just the thought of all that sugar. Yay for me. And yay for you too. And I'm thinking, as I prepare to ration Sweet-Tarts and survive numerous sugar highs and lows for the next few days...what should I do with the rest of it? You know, all the candy the kids don't like or that I just won't feed them?

Well, here's my list, in no particular order..

1. Eat it myself. While at first an enticing idea, the thought of facing the scale over the next two months, even without inhaling excess Halloween candy, seems like a quick ticket to buying new clothes--a size up. So maybe not...

2. Take it to work, or playgroup. Yes, this option seems much more acceptable. Let someone else invest in a new, larger wardrobe. But I will have to contend with all my friends'/colleagues' misery. Hmmm....

3. Give it to the church. Yes, yes! Anything wrapped I'm sure they'll accept. Won't they? Yep, this idea's a possible keeper...

4. Save it. But then find it six months later, break a tooth on something completely stale and not delicious, and throw it in the trash. Scratch that!

5. Find a way to make crafts with it. I can see all sorts of fun ideas from Pinterest sparking a craft inspiration. Of course, the candy is still there, in full sight of the children. But I like this idea as well.

6. Hide it in my parents' suitcase. "What? There was candy when you got home? Well, I bet it was the three-year-old. That crazy kid..."

7. Throw it away. Okay, it's not like this isn't the end result of several of the aforementioned ideas. And if someone says something about starving children, I will tell them that I am sorry, but a bag of Gobstoppers will not solve world hunger. And then, because of the guilt trip, I will go online an donate to someone who can solve it. Everybody wins.

8. Give it out at a race. I've had enough people holding out plates of gummy bears--not wrapped--at races to know giving candy to tired, sweaty runners is not exactly frowned upon. Then again, I've never taken candy from a stranger...

9. Candy bomb my neighbors. Two questions. 1) Is it illegal to put wrapped candy in a mail box? 2) Do candy wrappers show fingerprints?

10. Send it to my brother. Because he's serving his country in the desert. Ding, ding, ding! Yep, that's the winner. In the interest of getting a head start on the season of giving, I'll give my extra candy (and even some of the good stuff) to someone who not only deserves a little extra thought, but will also appreciate it. (And if you'd like to give to a soldier too, check out Adopt a US Soldier.)

There, problem solved.

Don't be Martha, just be awesome -Part IV: Costume MacGyver to the rescue

So, you have an hour until trick or treating time, and all of a sudden, your "too cool for school" kiddo decides he/she needs a costume. You're not the most craftsy mom, and needles generally end up in your finger or on the floor, not to be found until you're stalking around in bare feet some dark morning. What to do?

Enter Halloween costume MacGyver (you know, the show from the 80s/90s; ugh, I hate it when I date myself!).

Anyway, super mom that you are, you want your kiddo to leave the house in more than a sheet-turned-ghost, especially since the only one you're willing to cut up has pink daisies on it. Never fear, because other options do exist.

First step? Take a look around your own house. You have some boxes? Make a robot. Toilet paper? Put a mummy on tap. Have black pants and shirt? Tape some paper bones to them and you've got a skeleton. Scarf, striped shirt, and boots? Your a pirate, matey! Argh!

But there's more, my friends. Much, much more. Take a look below, and feast your eyes on some truly unique ten-minute concepts. (Insert evil laugh here...)

Bring Paul Bunyan back to life...
Check out the lumberjack idea from Etsy.com, which is easy and cool enough for even your most peer-pressured kiddo. All you need is a beanie, flannel shirt, boots, and, um, well, maybe a plastic ax. Or you could use a toilet paper roll attached to a stick. This is about improvising, folks. As for the beard, washable marker really isn't advisable, but that's totally up to you. Then again, how about a little chocolate syrup?

Wahoo! Kick butt by being one of the most popular video game characters...
Parentmap had some great Halloween costume ideas, but this Mario one is so gosh darn easy, it makes me feel like I could punch through some brick walls! A pair of overalls, red shirt, and a slightly altered red hat and buttons is just the ticket.

Take trick or treating to a whole new (big) level...as Jelly Bellies...  
I actually had a friend dress as this idea from the Childcare Network (number eight) a few years ago at a Halloween party. All you need is a somewhat see-through plastic bag and some balloons (okay, you may have to run to the store for this one.) And if you don't have the time (or patience) to blow up a cajillion balloons, what about using those balls from the ball pit (I have, like, a million)? This costume is sure to be a hit, but just remember one thing: sitting is difficult...

Because everybody likes tea, and it's easy to make...
And if you just happen to have a box of Lipton Tea (or something of that nature) and a white sheet lying around, this tea bag idea from ClevelandWomen.com (third one down) is always an easy one. However, I'm not sure it will be a big sell for kids, although parents are sure to get it right away... and maybe find themselves thirsty...

And when you just want to bring on the awesome...
Say it with me: "Last but not least..." We've got ourselves a creative genius winner from babble.com! Put your kiddo in rain gear and attach stuffed dogs and kitties to the umbrella! Voila!  It's "raining cats and dogs." And hey, it's okay if you don't tell someone you got the idea from the Internet. I won't say anything. But this clever little ensemble might just earn you the "mom who has it going on" title for your neighborhood.

Don't be Martha, just be awesome - Part II: Best (and easiest) of Halloween cupcakes

As mentioned in my last post, Martha Stewart I am not. Most days I have only a few goals, which include (and are pretty much limited to) keeping my house at a manageable level of mess, cooking a healthy if not altogether tasty meal, teaching my children simple life skills (such as, tackling is not generally acceptable in most social situations), and hanging on to a shred of sanity.

Enter the holiday season.

Okay you mothers with homemade costumes/three-layer cheesecakes/candles/sweaters/wreaths/etc. You exhaust me. You really do. Here's your round of applause (see my hands clapping in a circle). But I have decided, in the interest of finding success, to keep my holiday homemaking simple and fun. Last week I showed you some crazy easy fall crafts; this week, I'm taking on the world of cupcakes.

So, I figured I'd save you some time and find the easiest way to make your usual Halloween suspects--no cupcake wars necessary. I know--you're welcome.

For the hairiest, scariest spider...


celebrations.com

This simplicity winner from celebrations.com gets my vote. I reviewed several spiderific creations online before settling on this as my favorite. Although some of the others were creative and cute, this is doable, and I'm a sucker for anything with sprinkles (as are my kids).

Ms. Fox's Sweets

 For the easiest, breezy ghost...

You would be surprised (at least, I was) at the complex ghost cupcake designs out there. But then I saw this at Ms. Fox's Sweets, and I thought, "Hey, all I need is a dollop of whipped topping and two somethings for eyeballs, and BAM! Spooky cupcake."

Pinterest

For the hippest monster...

A few weeks ago, I let my two young kiddos put some frosting and eyeballs on some muffins. Voila! Monster cupcakes. But I thought, in the interest of scouting out true creativity, to give you something a little more interesting for your monster inspiration. You can thank Molly Davis on Pinterest for this one.






Edible Crafts

For the crackalackin jack-o-lantern...

It's not fall without a pumpkin, and it's not Halloween without a jack-o-lantern. But how to make one without being handy with the orange frosting? Well, this idea from Edible Crafts had me chuckling--a winner for sure. You can make it more complex or simple as desired.


For the mousiest mummy...


Spoonful

And last but, you guessed it, certainly not least, a fresh and preschooler-pleasing mummy idea from Spoonful that puts the mouse in mousarific. If I can get past the frosting part, then the rest is a piece of cake.

Hah. I crack myself up.

Happy cupcaking!

Don't be Martha, just be awesome - Part I: Spookily easy fall crafts

I have to say, I don't spend too much time worrying about my shortcomings in the homemaking department. That's probably because I've never had any Martha Stewart aspirations. Basically, if my house is clean when I entertain and the food is edible, that is a "win" in my book.

Enter the fall/holiday season. Suddenly, my friends are talking about Pinterest cupcakes and harvest porch displays. Mouthwatering, homemade baked goods are showing up, uninvited, to play dates (spooky). Several moms I know are already sewing Halloween costumes.

Hmmm. This is all a bit overwhelming for a seat-of-her-pants mom/writer who gets a gold star at the end of day when she hasn't thrown any temper tantrums (or toys). But I decided, in the spirit of maybe not being the best mom ever, but perhaps being a pretty fun one, I could try my hand at a few fall crafts with my kids.

Nervously, I entered the land of Pinterest, where "Halloween crafts" scared the Martha Stewart right out of me. But I got a hold of myself and instead typed, "quick Halloween crafts."

The results of my search, and my "craft-making trial" two days later, are as follows:

1. Because Q-tips are cheap. Okay, for my two kiddos, this Q-tip skeleton was the winner! Not only was it easy to make, but it involved no paper cutting. It used five items: Q-tips, glue (I like the Elmer's sparkly stuff, as you can tell), plastic eyes, whiteout (for the mouth/head), and construction paper. This made it to the refrigerator door's "Hall of Fame." 

From "The Chirping Moms"

Mom Around Town

2. Because drawing around your hands is fun (and tickles). Nothing gets my kids giggling like drawing around their cute little hands. That's why I was thrilled with the hand-spider I found on Pinterest. My older child spruced hers up with pom pom feet and a white-out smiley face, but all you need is the following: black construction paper, something to draw with, scissors, and glue. This also made the refrigerator door.

 

From "TishAndTrey"   3. Because seriously, no one had posted a ghost sock puppet on Pinterest. Really. I really wanted to do at least one sock puppet, and I thought, "Hey, socks look a little like ghosts." Can you believe I actually could not find one on Pinterest? Well, here's to finding one's own inspiration. Yes, the sock is dingy (maybe I should do a blog post on whiter whites, huh?), and no, it did not make the refrigerator's "Hall of Fame," but it deserves an honorable mention nonetheless! There's no supply list for this beside a (relatively) clean sock.   So have fun and be creative! Kids don't need Martha, they just want to have fun with you.

Mom Around Town   Mom Around Town