Our Halloween Highlights!!
With us going on holiday next week, we have been trying to get ready for Halloween well in advance this year. Every Halloween I am surprised at just how much of a big deal it has become, with a whole aisle at our local supermarket devoted to costumes, party ware and Halloween themed goodies for Trick or Treaters.
As a child Halloween was never really a big occasion. My brother and I would dress up in our costumes which consisted of a cape, made from a blanket, and a witches hat, made from the cardboard of a Cornflakes box, and we would go outside to our front door and do the whole pretence of “Trick or Treat!” when our Mum answered. And we would eat our Opal Fruits, watching an age old Horror movie on the telly, before going off to bed just like every other night. It was, quite simply, no big deal.
These days the celebrations seem to start early with the annual trip to a pumpkin patch, spamming social media with countless, but adorable, pumpkin photos. We have never taken part in this tradition before but this year, with it being just Harry and I, we decided to go and see what the big deal was. We went along to Poplar Farm in Ormskirk, and although I had no idea what to expect it was as simple as choosing a wheelbarrow (a decision which took Harry five minutes!) and going in search of a pumpkin.
Harry loved running amongst the pumpkins, and especially pushing the wheelbarrow. He did get quite angry at one point that the pumpkins were, “Too heavy for Harris!”, and, after kicking a pumpkin or two, he was happy to finally find one small enough for him to pick up!
By the time we left the pumpkin patch I completely understood why so many people make it part of their Halloween celebrations each year. Seeing the look on Harrys face as we chose our prized pumpkin, rather than just buying one from the supermarket like previous years, was really lovely and I’m looking forward to taking all four of the children this time next year.
With the girls having missed out on the pumpkin patch, they were consoled with the fact that we had chosen a huge pumpkin for them to carve. Although they are too young to be involved in any of the actual carving, they enjoyed scooping out the pumpkin seeds and helping Gaz to create a super scary face!
Once our pumpkin was carved we lined the base with tin foil, which helps to give a really effective reflection, and used our battery operated lights from Lights 4 You to create a fantastic, child friendly, pumpkin.
Along with our pumpkin, we make sure to leave Halloween decorations in the porch each year. I think it’s important that children are aware that some people don’t welcome Trick or Treaters and to look for signs, such as pumpkins or decorations, on the houses that do. Lewis and his friends are old enough at twelve to go out on their own and yet I still remind him of this rule each year. We have some amazing spooky wall stickers to go up in the porch next weekend ready to welcome our Trick or Treaters. The Halloween range from Stickerscape is so much fun and starting at just £5.00 for these designs, you really can’t grumble! The girls have been asking every day since they arrived can we put them up already, but with still over a week to go, I have to keep telling them not just yet!!
The loveliest thing about Halloween so far has been Eva attending her very first Halloween disco at school. As many of you know, she has really struggled with starting school and we have had seven long weeks of tears and tantrums, and for that reason I had very low expectations for this disco. After clinging to my leg and whimpering for the first ten minutes, and me mumbling under my breath that I knew we shouldn’t have bothered, it was a miracle when she finally got up to dance with her friends. And within thirty seconds she was a child transformed! For the first time since September I saw my happy, confident and excitable little girl, and sat there, swallowing a huge lump in my throat, I felt so proud of her and how far she has come.
The girls were very excited at being able to wear their Halloween costumes early, infact they’ve had them on the entire weekend and I literally had to wrestle their dresses tonight. While Eva insists that her “Corpse bride” costume is infact a witch, she turned me into a frog several times just to prove this point, Megan is convinced that her costume is that of a dinosaur. At least it’s one up from last year when she swore that the same costume was a rhinoceros!!
Sadly there will be no photos of Harry in his Halloween costume this year as he took one look at his pumpkin suit, threw back his head and howled, screaming, “I wanted a dress!!!”.
With a busy few days ahead, and a holiday to plan for, I will take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Halloween and I look forward to reading all of your spook-tacular posts!!
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That’s a very early Halloween lol! You did so much and it looks like the kids really enjoy it! #justanotherlinky & KCACOLS
Haha yes! Well we only come home on Halloween so we had to get the build up in now! xx
Your childhood Halloween’s sound just like mine. We never went Trick or Treating.I’ve seen a lot about Pumpkin Patches recently, not sure if we even have one near us – need to find out!Your pumpkin looks fab.We always put a little light up pumpkin in the window too so the kids know they can knock.Costumes look amazing too x
It’s a good idea isn’t it, just a little nod to the children that they can knock on. I hate the idea of knocking on doors of people who don’t celebrate, I always tell my son to look for lanterns and go to those houses. xx
Oops #kcacols
I really enjoyed your halloween preparation. The girls look lovely and Harry picked a great pumpkin. #kcacols
Thank you Claire! xx
awww I used to do the exact same thing with Halloween as a kid -dress in a blanket and knock on the door! my parents never let us trick or treat. im not sure how I feel letting my boy when he is older tbh. maybe to people in our neighbour hood who we know want to participate #KCACOLS
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Yep we were the same, I remember my mum and dad saying it was like begging! Lewis goes out now because he is 12 but my youngest three don’t go although we do “celebrate” at home. xx
I loved seeing all you pumpkin pictures of Harry, he looked like he was looking it. The girls look amazing in their costumes, Alice can’t wait to wear hers. I love the idea of putting lights in the pumpkin, I’m going to do this. Thanks for the tip X #theordinarymoments
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Over The First School Hurdle…The Ordinary Moments
Thank you! Definitely a safer option to use lights, candles are so dangerous with cheap nylon costumes!! xx
Such lovely photos and we too have been to the pumpkin patch for the first time this year. A bloggers staple ?
Laura @ Little Ladies Big World recently posted…A School Disco & Matching Halloween Outfits {The Ordinary Moments #37}
Haha yes! I have loved the pumpkin spam on my social media, keep it coming I say! xx
Aww what lovely photos! We never did anything for Halloween as children but for some reason we have always dressed Mia up for it and now shes 3, she is really looking for to it this year! I love the lights you have inside the pumpkin, great idea! 🙂
#justanotherlinky
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Thank you! We are the same, I think it’s just much more popular these days! Yep the battery lights are far safer, I think candles with cheap nylon costumes are just an accident waiting to happen, and sadly so many have! xx
Just popping back from #KCACOLS X p.s I’ve told Andy he is on carving duty tomorrow!!
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Over The First School Hurdle…The Ordinary Moments
Haha can’t wait to see your pumpkin! xx
I don’t remember even that level of fuss for Halloween when I was little, it was all about bonfire night for us – I do love the pumpkin side of things though – and getting one from a farm definitely outranks the supermarket!!
Carie @ Space for the Butterflies recently posted…Clutter be gone
It wasn’t a big deal was it? Halloween was always more of an American thing I thought, but we are always slow to catch up! xx
Aww wow, I love the idea of putting battery operated lights in the pumpkin instead of a candle, much safer! I will remember the foil tip too, thanks. Its lovely to hear that your little girl enjoyed her halloween disco. My eldest little lady had a rocky start to the term after we moved schools and for the first 2 weeks I was convinced we had made the wrong choice but shes okay now. It is so nice to see them settled and happy after been unhappy. Have a lovely Halloween
I always worry about candles in pumpkins, especially with the headlines about childrens Halloween costumes going up in flames. The tin foil works really well! Ahh I felt exactly the same with Eva, I worried we should have waited until she is five, or maybe a different school, but she seems to have finally settled. I hope that half term doesn’t take us back to square one! Happy Halloween to you too! xx
Oh I love these photos, we always go to the pick your own field in the summer and for the first time last year we extended it to pumpkins and it really was so worth it to see the little one’s face
It’s lovely isn’t it! We’ve never been to the fruit picking but will definitely be going next Summer. xx
Oh wow I love these photos! Last year was the first year that we did the whole pumpkin thing but we did it a bit early and it was a tad mouldy by the time October 31st arrived. We plan to go and get one on Saturday. We’ve not done trick or treating yet but might do it this year, hopefully little legs will want to dress up. He wasn’t so keen last year. #justanotherlinky
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Haha yes I’m sure our pumpkin will be a bit mouldy by Halloween but it was fun to do this week. Happy Halloween to you! Xx
These photos are just amazing, I love the girls outfits, they look even more angelic x
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Thank you so much!xx
Wish me could visit a pumpkin patch. V jealous of that. Lovely photographic memories.
tots2travel recently posted…Forest Holidays – A Log Cabin stay in the Trossachs
Thank you. Pumpkin patches are the best for photos, even better on a sunny day!
Lovely photos. The pumpkin looks fab and your kids look great too.
Thank you!xx
You have some really cute pictures. I don’t buy pumpkins anymore as the kids turn their noses up at making them – we have a ceramic one instead
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Ooh I saw some fab ceramic ones this week at Sainsbury’s. I think we will get one when the kids are past carving them!
Oooh what a good idea about filling your pumpkin with battery lights! I would love to take my two to a pumpkin farm but we don’t seem to have one on Jersey! #MarvMondays
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Ahh that’s a shame. The pumpkin farm is so much fun and the photo opportunities are endless!! Xx
It’s all about safety around those nylon costumes!xx
Ah their little costumes are so cute!! Pumpkin picking is lovely isnt it, so much nicer than getting them from the supermarket!! We had so much fun when we went!
Halloween was always a huge deal in my house as a kid, we had a big family party every year so I want to make sure its the same for mine too 🙂 #MarvMondays
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Oh that sounds fab! We never really celebrated Halloween but with my four I really make the effort! xx
Aww I love how you got to witness Eva’s change in confidence, it is also a very good point about putting something outside the house to let kids know we are happy for trick or treaters!
#justanotherlinky
Thank you. I really needed to see it, Ive been so worried about her! xx
Brilliant. I loved reading this post and am so pleased for you that your little girl got up and joined her friends at the disco. #KCACOLS
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Thank you, it was lovely to see her join in! xx
great pics Laura. The girls look adorable #KCACOLS
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Thanks Jeremy! xx
“I wanted a dress!!!”..I cried with laughter at that comment. Your pictures are so stunning! Such beautiful children 🙂 I think it is such a good idea I never thought of putting lights in a pumpkin, much less of a fire hazard than candles! I used to love Halloween as a child and really need to make more of an effort with my little one. I have never been Pumpkin picking, I am off to Google fields near me! Thank you for sharing and linking up to #KCACOLS, I hope to see you next Sunday xx
Haha thank you! I had to buy him one today because he out right refused to wear anything else!! He’s a funny one, I’m sure he will be mortified when he gets older! xx
Good planning! I love carving pumpkins with the wee ones. They’re so beautiful when lit and put outside. Smell sweet too!
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Yes they are fab! Only issue was we did ours that early it had rotted by this evening! Oops! x
I’ve had to hunt down Halloween in France! It’s not a big deal here, but it is for the kids. I love the pumpkin patch, and your kids’ costumes are so amazing – hope you had lots of spooky fun! #KCACOLS
Tooting Mama recently posted…How to celebrate Halloween in Paris
Thank you! I didn’t realise it wasn’t a huge deal in france, it has gotten so big over here! xx
Ah so cute! Lovely photos x #KCACOLS
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Thank you! xx
Those pumpkin picking photos are the best. So cute! We haven’t been pumpkin picking yet – maybe next year! x
Thank you! It was our first year, I’m looking forward to making it an annual tradition! xx
What absolutely gorgeous photos! It looks and sounds like you had a lovely few days of halloween celebrations. The pumpkin patch thing seems to get bigger and bigger each year, definitely one for us to try next year I think 🙂 Thanks for sharing this on #MarvMondays. Emily
Thank you! It was our first year at the pumpkin patch, definitely wont be our last! xx
Aww what a lovely Halloween you had 🙂 we didn’t do much this year as my two are still too young! Maybe next year I’ll make more of an effort haha! #sharewithme
The older they get the more they want to take part, mine were never really bothered before either! xx
Going to a pumpkin patch has become a new tradition for us – such special memories. Thanks for linking to #sharewithme
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And us too, I can’t wait until next time! xx