Three big events each October take up so much of my time and energy. Each one is worth it, but I just wish they weren’t all so close together.

First up, Boo at the Zoo. Our comic shop, Bargain Comics, hosts a treats table there every year for one weekend (the event runs 2 weekends). About 15,000 kids come through over both weekends! Instead of giving out candy, we give out free comic books and Halloween stickers (for the under 3 crowd).

Doug takes care of ordering the comics and getting them labeled with our store information. And he gets our banner sign from the store. I make sure we have enough stickers (thank you, Oriental Trading Company) and spend a few sessions cutting the stickers off of the roll – sadly, they are not perforated for easy ripping. I check our bin for the decorations – Batman table cloth, spider web lights… each year I try to add something to make things easier for us or more decorative. Then I make sure we all have costumes. This year we are going as the Fantastic Four. Finally, I enlist the help of family and friends to help us run the table. It’s good for us to have one other family there each night. Then at least 2 of us can man the booths while the other 2 take the kids around. We usually have the boys with us only one of the three nights. It’s really fun.

Next event, Zander’s birthday! This year he turns 6 and he requested an ArtSports birthday party. So I have a list of 18 kids he wants to invite (plus siblings)! And we also have a family and close friend party at home. I set a high standard for myself in previous years – I go all out decorating the main level of the house with the theme of their choice – which was easier when they weren’t so specific. This year’s theme is Mario (Nintendo). So, lots more planning and organizing and crafting.

Last, but not least, Halloween, which is one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing up. I make the boys costumes. It’s the most crafty thing I do. It’s been lots of fun over the years. I leave you with pictures of some of my creations…

Robin at Boo at the Zoo

Green Lantern at Boo at the Zoo

Superman and Captain America

Ash Ketchum and Pikachu (I didn’t make that one) at Boo at the Zoo

Zander as Ash Ketchum (Pokemon!)