halloween crafts

CRAFT #1:

MODGE PODGE PUMPKIN CANDLES

as is usually the case come mid-september, when the realization that summer is over, i can't wait to start doing fall crafts with the girls.  i found this one on the cover of some magazine in my teacher's lounge at school (i think it was women's day).  it was so easy, even with a 3 and 4 year old.

materials:

• modge podge
• glass container (i used recycled jars)
• paint brush
• orange tissue paper
• black construction paper

directions:

1. cut small strips of orange tissue paper
2. pour small amount of modge podge in container (i added some water to dilute)
3. brush some modge podge on the jar and start placing the tissue paper
4. at the end you can cut out a face with the black construction paper

this was quite fun and looks really cute at night when there is a candle inside.  enjoy!

CRAFT #2: 

DECORATING YOUR TRICK OR TREAT CONTAINER

aside from using a pillow case (which we will reserve until the girls are older and i really need LOTS of candy), this is quite possibly the cheapest (and most fun) way to prepare for trick or treating.  i was at the dollar tree (our favorite store) and found these orange pumpkin containers.  i thought it would be cute to buy them for the girls for halloween to trick or treat.  then...low and behold...right next to them were these glow in the dark halloween stickers...  stickers are the next best thing to sliced bread in my house.  i thought this could entertain the troops while i made dinner one night.  they had a blast and for a change, i didn't care where they put the stickers.  i even wrote their names with a sharpie, to eliminate future fighting...oh, yes!

halloween

so i am a little late in posting these halloween pictures!  but...here they are...oh wait, the story first.  it is quite comical and totally on par with the smith, party of 4 gang.

we were invited to a chili dinner, fall festival carnival, and trick or treating night with some friends from church.  here are all of the "well" kids-mine didn't want to be in the picture.

we were pretty excited about it all.  the day started out rather chaotic typical: church, lunch, naps, dressing in the costumes.  i noticed addison was feeling a bit warm, but she acted normal (well, toddler normal).  i painted these cute little butterflies on her face and on august's too (i am just in love with the looks on their faces-so hilarious-where oh where do they get this silliness?).

as we arrived at the party she was really clingy and did not want to eat, play with her friends, or do anything.  here we are in our get-up...cowboy up!

at one point she actually said she needed to go to the bushes to throw up.  so...as you can guess, she ended up throwing up.  needless to say, we left the party and went home, only to have addison feel 100% better by the time we reached home.  since she was feeling better i quickly dressed her and august and took some pictures.  so typical for us...plans gone amuck!  ended up being a fruitful evening though, mark painted the bedroom...:)

 

chocolate chip pumpkin cookies

these are just about the BEST cookies i have ever made!...and quite easy, to boot.  i found the recipe on one of the many blogs i follow but can't remember which one (so, sorry if you ever read this and i didn't give you any credit for it).

these are perfect for a crisp fall evening (after the chili and cornbread)  

enjoy with a cup o' joe!

COOKIES

1/2 cup shortening 

1 cup sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (i used 2 cups for extra chocolate)

*preheat oven to 350.  grease cookie sheets

*in medium bowl, cream the shortening and sugar.  stir in the pumpkin and vanilla

*in separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture.

*add chocolate chips and stir by hand (i did the rest with the kitchenaid)

*bake for about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the oven (mine actually took about 16 or 17 minutes)-mine did not flatten, but looked more like fluffy small biscuits
(oops, forgot to take a pic of that step-the picture below is just before they went into the oven).

CREAM CHEESE ICING

(NOTE: this recipe makes enough for 2 batches of cookies.  half it, if only making one batch...or save for other pumpkin recipes)

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

1 lb powder sugar (oh yes, one pound...geez)

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt (which i forgot to add and they still tasted delicious)

*add all ingredients and put a dollop on cooled cookies

fab fall fest

my parent's church had a neighborhood outreach carnival the day before halloween, so we decided to take the kiddos over there for some fun.  it sure is a good thing, too, because addison threw up on halloween and had a fever, so we didn't even get to go trick or treating...thankfully she felt better afterward and i was at least able to dress the girls and take some pics.  they were both butterflies and mark and i were fitted in our western wear, ya'll.  the chili dinner was fun while it lasted though (quite short-lived).

getting ready for halloween

august's little puffy feet and toenails

addison's little feet and toenails

apothecary jars

 i love these jars and find them filled with all kinds of things throughout stores and magazines.  i figured i could make them for cheaper than i could buy them.  well, it is true.  however, i am still working on trying to figure out how to make a cute lid.  feel free to share any ideas.  i went to the dollar store and purchased two glass candle stick holders and two different size vases.  i hot glued the vase onto the candle stick holder and viola!

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

 this is how i use them to decorate for halloween:  candy corn and plastic spiders with a cute orange and black ribbon.

p.s. if you have small children that like candy corn, move this out of reach...trust me, i speak from experience :)