Trunk or Treat!

The weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing, everything pumpkin is rising up from the graves of Halloween past, and parents are getting ready to be dragged from house to house in support of their kids getting candy from strangers.

There are a lucky few who get to enjoy a simpler and safer version: Trunk or Treat. This is when cars are lined up in a parking lot and parents decorate the backs of their car in festive, creative ways. Kids wander from car to car dressed in their Halloween best and get their tricks or treats.

I took this idea as a challenge. I was not going to trick out my ride with Dollar Store decorations. I had to think big, tall, inspiring. My entire persona as a creative momma was on the line. After hours and hours of Pinteresting and creative reflection I got an idea.

It started with a painting.

First, I painted some trees.

Then, I added some sky and a river of golden hair (you see where this is going!)

Next came the floating lights and Rapunzel.

 I added more lights and glow in the dark paint for a fun evening effect (and it is AWESOME!)

Once this was done I had to imagine a tall, tall tower. This would involve PVC pipe and lots of paint and cardboard.

As you can see I got a little carried away.

I had to figure out how to get it outside to line it up with my Mom Mobile. This thing was going to tower over the entire parking lot!

Back to the painting... I wanted this to be a full experience so behind the tower kids could walk through Rapunzel's room to watch her paint...

and get treats from Mother Gothel! 

Mother really does know best!

And if you need some ideas for treat ideas other than candy and temporary tattoos here ya go.

Trick or Treat Smell My Feet

Halloween is a time when we seem to glorify the scary creatures come out at night to feast on any who dare to wander after dark. We decorate with tombstones, witches with warts and broomsticks, zombie attacks, blood, skeletons, ghouls, ghosts, oversized spiders, you name it... And we eat spooky looking food. It really is a weird holiday if you think about it!

Having small kids I keep Halloween decorations more on the cutsie side.  I convinced my 5 year old that zombies are trying to grab people because they like to give cold hugs. That RIP means "Read in Peace."  Ghosts are happy and friendly and like to keep us safe. Mummies are just people who got cold and needed to be wrapped up to get warm.  I think the only real Halloween thing that they are scared of are the spiders. But living in Arizona large, furry spiders are a real danger.  Add bats and scorpions to the list too.


Here are 5 fun Halloween treats to add something special to your Halloween.

1. Mummy Pizzas

I cut out a pizza man shape with the very versatile gingerbread man cookie cutter. Then I spread on some pizza sauce and criss crossed sliced mozzarella cheese on top. Add in some candy eyes for the ultimate mummy effect!

2. Spider Cakes

These bites were made with mini cupcakes and broken pretzel parts.

3.  Bagel Bites

You need an idea to make your Halloween morning  as easy as can be then check out these. I used google eyes from the craft store and those fun, fake dracula teeth that you can get at any market right now. No cooking is even necessary!

4. Used Band Aids

This snack was a big hit. The girls ate them up! Some grahm crackers, cream cheese and a dollop of jam created the ultimate boo boo treat!

5. Bloody Finger Hot Dog

I tried this one out on my kids thinking that they would get a laugh out of it. They were so grossed out by it. I thought it was pretty funny! If you want give someone the finger just be sure to cut the lines on the hot dog before boiling to get the real finger effect. The finger nail can be sliced off with a sharp knife after cooking.

**Trunk or Treat Idea**

Many schools and churches have a night of Trunk or Treating. This is when people decorate the back of their cars and the kids walk from car to car trick or treating. It is a safe and fun way for little kids to celebrate Halloween. 

This year at my kids school I decorated my car as Elsa's castle. As you can imagine all the little princesses loved it! I painted pumpkins for the theme as well. To top it all off my sister and I dressed up as Elsa and Anna to hand out treats. Seriously, I have never felt so popular in my life. Dressed as Elsa at a preschool was pure magic! 

"Let it go..."

Ear Wax

Halloween is a perfect time to create food that makes you gag a little bit. This idea fits the bill! Next time your kiddo needs a snack just grab a Q-Tip and some ear wax and you are good to go. Note my child's reaction when I offered her some ear wax. Priceless! And the 2 year old completely hesitated before I encouraged her to eat it. The best thing about this snack is how utterly, completely easy it is. It would make a great treat for a Halloween party or playdate! Don't miss the fun Food Play craft included below!

What you Need:

Q Tips
Handful of mini marshmallows
1 TBS Nut Butter (we used peanut butter)

Directions:

Cut off one of the cotton ends of the Q Tip. Push the cut end into a mini marshmallow.

Dip the top of the marshmallow into the nut butter. I swirled it to get a nice effect!

Arrange the ear wax on a tray and serve.

Food Play Craft:  

X-Ray Hand

Put those Q Tips to work again and make a fun X Ray of your kiddos hand (of foot!) All you need is black paint, paper, Q Tips, and glue.

Swab some black paint all over your kiddos hand and make a handprint.

Dab some glue onto the cotton ends of the Qtip and fix to your dry handprint. 

Look how proud she is of her X ray!