Hallow-Palooza

Our park district hosts a "Hallow-Palooza" event for kids the Friday before Halloween.  I took Malcolm last year and he had a blast, so this year I signed up both kids.  They have games where the kids win candy or prizes, story time, and crafts.  There is also a "Spooky Walk" (haunted house), which we skipped.  I tried it with Malcolm last year during the "lights on" version and we had to bale out part way through.  He remembered it, and said he didn't want to do it this year.

Dorothy was a little nervous when she had to walk by an inflatable decoration that was the Grim Reaper, driving a pumpkin carriage.  I convinced her that it was OK, and the fun was just the other side of it.  We headed for the gym where the games were and on the way in I saw a guy dressed as the Culver's frozen custard cone.  She loves Culver's, so I thought she would think it was great.  I was wrong.  She was terrified, practically climbed me, and clung on for her life.  I could not convince her to get anywhere close to him, even when I pointed out that the lady with him was handing out tickets for free ice cream.  She was not fooled in the least and wanted nothing to do with the giant, moving ice cream cone, so we moved on to a more quiet activity.

She really liked the craft area.  I was much more quiet, and the craft was using stickers to make a face on their pumpkin.  Right up her alley.

She concentrated very hard and was very serious about her pumpkin face.  Once she was done, she was ready to head back to the gym and meet up with Malcolm and Kevin and play some games.

Malcolm plays the ping pong ball game.  It is very similar to a board Kevin made for the kids to do with coins.  They love watching them bounce their way to the bottom.

Dorothy also had a turn.  They were supposed to guess the number at the bottom they thought the ball would land in.  If they were right, they got to choose their prize, if they were wrong the helper running the game chose for them.  All of the games were set up so that they always won a prize.

Dorothy takes her prize.  When given the option, she chose lollipops or Starbursts, while Malcolm went for the little crappy toys.

For this game, they tossed little plastic skulls into the pumpkins.  She has quite an arm on her and was slamming them in as hard as she could.

She takes her game play very seriously.  I don't think they were paying the helpers enough.  Dorothy managed to beam one of them in the head during the ring toss.

Both kids waiting to do the lollipop tower.  This one was Dorothy's choice, but Malcolm wasn't willing to wait and not play.

Waiting in line near the giant inflatable slide.  I tried to get a photo of both of them, but they were not very cooperative and there was too much going on around us.

This was Malcolm's favorite game last year and he was so excited to do it again this year.  The kid knocks on the coffin, and a hand reaches up and gives them a prize.  Sometimes the hand reaches up without a prize and waves, or touches the kids' hand if they have it resting on the coffin.

I'm glad she didn't jump off of the stool.  The hand reached out and touched her hand and thought she was going to run away.  She felt better once it handed her the candy.

It was a little intense for Dorothy a few times, but overall I think both kids had a good time. 

Fall Consignment Sale

Last weekend was the fall consignment sale that I go to and once again, I sold more than I spent.  Now if I could just figure out how to sell a higher percentage of the stuff I take.  I would have blogged this sooner, but the hard drive on my computer died.  My fantastic husband got it replaced and recovered just about everything, so I am off and running again.  Here is my haul from the most recent sale.

Two polka dot dresses for Dorothy.  Right now, she fits in a 2T very nicely and a 3T is ridiculously big on her, but I'm afraid that she is going to switch sizes half way through the winter.  I ended up buying a few things in a 2 and a few in a 3, and hopefully that will get us through the winter.  The grey dress is a sweater knit by Camilla ($5) and super cute with her plain black tights.  The other is a play dress from Boden ($5), size 3.  The top is a brown knit and the bottom is corduroy.  I'm hoping this one will fit late winter, into spring.

How cute are these?  The black sweater is from Hanna Andersson ($7) and the cream corduroy pants are from Crew Cuts ($4), both are a 2T.  They were not paired together, but look really great as a set.  The red plaid jumper is from Hartstrings ($7) and I found a plain black turtleneck from Gymboree (not pictured) to go with it on half price day for $1.

Usually the boy section is pretty slim pickings, but this year I found tons or pants for Malcolm and a few other things.  The grey pants from Okaidi ($8) have very subtle pin striping and are really cute.  The black cords are new with tags from Gymboree ( $6.50) and I have paired them with a red sweater pictured below from half price day and a black turtleneck from last year that still fits.

The outfit on the left is actually three separate pieces I found that work together;  white Gap turtleneck ($4), blue snowflake sweater by Frost ($6), and tan cords without wale by Tom Sawyer ($5).  The triceratops sweater and black cords are a set from Mulberribush ($8).

I was absolutely giddy to find this brother/sister set from Hanna Andersson with all of the pieces in like new condition.  All three pieces were from different consignors.  Sweater dress ($12 - my big splurge), sweater vest ($8), and cords ($5).  I'm thinking about having them wear this when I try to take some photos for out holiday card this year.  

Not pictured from my first day of shopping is; a pair of snow boots for each of the kids, Sporto for Malcolm ($7) and Crater Ridge for Dorothy ($5), a package of three pairs of Gap tights for Dorothy in ivory, tan, and dark brown ($6 - each color goes with the sweater dress above), and a darling brown sweater dress with pink scroll trim at the hem and cuffs from Jillian's Closet ($3).  I didn't get a picture of the dress, because she has already worn it twice and it is in the laundry again.

Then I went back on half price day and found some more goodies.

Red sweater from Hanna Andersson ($7.50) to go with the black cords above and gingerbread man pjs from Gymboree ($6).

Shirts for layering.  A light blue oxford from Gymboree ($5) to pair with a sweater and pants we already have.  A dark green polo from Hanna Andersson ($3) that matches a sweater we already own.  A dark blue oxford from Pine Peak ($2.50).

Malcolm was in desperate need of jeans and I found three pairs for him.  The two on the left are exactly the same and were from the same consignor; Crazy 8 ($3.50 each).  Gap ($4) flannel lined jeans.  If you look close, you can just make out the blue and green plaid on the cuffs.  I have always wanted to try a pair of these with him because they seem like they would be very cozy.

 I went a little pants crazy since there were actually pants in decent, like new condition. I had looked at the dark brown cords from Land's End ($4) the first time I was there, but put them back at the last minute.  Since they were still there on half price day, I had to buy them.  The olive green cords are from Gymboree ($3).

Not pictured are a pair of black patent Mary Janes from Gap ($2.50) that are now Dorothy's favorite shoes and a compilation book of several easy reader books ($1.50).  Dorothy also ended up with a pair of dark brown (fake) suede boots from Target.  When I was helping set up, I had to go get the boots from the floor to send back with their owner because this sale does not accept that brand.  I made a comment about it being too bad since they were cute and would fit my daughter and the consignor told me to just take them!  I was pretty surprised and it was really nice of her.  Dorothy has already worn them several times and they look darling with her little dresses.