Happy Halloween

Second Star to the Right, & Straight on 'til Morning.

images courtesy of ana brandt

xoxo, K

Halloween at American Apparel

American Apparel has dozens of costume ideas for kids just in time for Halloween. They are simple and cute, perfect for any busy mom.

xoxo, C

Treats in the Streets

Looking to get more "bang" out of those Halloween costumes? Then, break out those pillowcases (or whatever it is you use to collect all that candy), because you can start trick-or-treating TODAY. Yep, Yep! Today, Thursday, October 29th is the Annual Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival in Old Towne Orange Plaza. Trick-or-Treat around the circle, games & activities and costume parade. Here are all the details...

Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival (Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street in Orange)
4-5:30 pm: Trick-or-Treating
4-7 pm: Music, kids games and activites, non-profit food booths and community displays
5:30 pm: Costume Parade at the main stage

xoxo, K
images via Ana Brandt Photography

This is Halloween.

Halloween is just around the corner, can you believe it? We know you'll be busy finding costumes, gathering goul-ish decor, putting out the candy... making this the "best" Halloween ever. Because we know you wouldn't want to miss any of our local events, we've put together a comprehensive list of "things to do & places to go" this Halloween season. Happy Haunting!

Anaheim:
* Halloween Time at Disneyland: until November 1st.
* Mickey's Trick or Treat Party at California Adventure: October 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 & 31
* Anaheim Spooktacular Halloween Parade & Fall Festival: October 31st, FREE admission
* The Empty Grave: October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 21 & November 1, Anaheim Garden Walk. 6:30pm - Midnight on Fridays & Saturdays, 6:30pm - 1pm on weeknights.
* The Terry Haunt: October 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, hours vary by day.
* The Haunting: October 31st, 6pm-1opm, FREE admission. 7-10pm on weekdays, 7pm - Midnight on the weekends.

* Benedict August: Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings October 15-31st, 6:30 - 10pm, 530 S. Illinois St., Anaheim.
Brea:
* Sinister Pointe: October 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31
Buena Park:
* Knott's Camp Spooky: weekends in October.
* Knott's Halloween Haunt: October 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, and 28-31st
7pm-1am or 2am depending on the night
Costa Mesa:
* Pumpkins & Pancakes: at South Coast Plaza, October 25th, 8-11am
* Halloween Spooktacular Concert Series: October 17th at 10 &11:30am, Orange County Performing Arts Center
Cypress:
* Cypress Halloween Carnival: October 31st, 8:30pm Community Center
Dana Point:
* Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground: October 24th, 6:30-8:30pm.
Fullerton:
* Fullerton Arboretum's 5th Annual Haunted Garden: October 23rd & 24th, tours starting at 6:30pm, 7:30pm & 8:30pm.
Huntington Beach:
* Trick or Treat on Main Street: October 31st, starts at 4pm, FREE admission.
Irvine:
* Boot Hill Haunted House: October 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 7-10pm, FREE admission.
* Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch, open daily 9am-6pm until October 31st, FREE admission
La Habra:
* Pumpkin Carving: October 25th 1:30-3pm, Children's Museum of La Habra.
* Mini Monsters Bash: October 3oth 10:30am-12:30pm, Children's Museum of La Habra. (Little ones dressed in costume receive 50% off admission.)
Laguna Niguel:
* Haunted Trails: October 22, 23, 24, starting at 6pm.
Orange:
* Treats in the Streets: Old Towne Orange, October 29th, trick-or-treating 4-5:30pm
* Halloween at the Orange County Zoo: October 31st, 10am-4pm. Crafts, face painting, trick-or-treating & more. FREE with zoo admission.
* Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, Irvine Regional Park
San Juan Capistrano:
* Zoomars Petting Zoo's Old Fashioned Family Pumpkin Patch, open daily 10am-5pm
Santa Ana:
* Spooky Science: Skeletons at the Discovery Science Center
* Boo at the Santa Ana Zoo: October 17, 18, 24, 25, 30. 5:30-8pm
Seal Beach:
* Trick or Treating on Main Street: October 31, 11am - 4pm, Seal Beach, FREE admission
Tustin:
* Halloween Howl: Columbus Tustin Activity Center, October 31st, 3-5pm, FREE admission
Yorba Linda:
* Cook Haunt: October 30 & 31, 7-11pm

Corona:
* Coffin Creek: October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30. 31. Times vary by day.
Los Angeles:
* Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights: select nights during October
Mission Hills:
* Forneris Farms Corn Maze: 9am - 5pm on weekends, 2-5pm weekdays
Temecula:
* Big Horse Corn Maze: 10am 4pm on weekends, 1-5pm on weekdays.
San Diego:
* Sea World's Halloween Spooktacular: weekends October 3rd - November 1st

xoxo, K

12 for Tuesday: Halloween Treats to Eat & Crafts to Make

1. Pumpkin Trick-or-Treat Bag Tutorial
2. Crescent Mummy Dogs
3. Pumpkin Dump Cake
4. Vampire Balloon Bats
5. Spooky Candy Haunted Houses
6. Shrunken Apple Head Decorations
7. Pumpkin Spice Magic Bar Minis
8. Papie Mache Pumpkin Lanterns
9. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1o. Spider Cupcakes
11. Pillowcase Trick-or-Treat Bags
12. Spider Pops

xoxo, K

You've Been BOO'ed!

Around Halloween, one of our favorite family traditions is to ding-dong-ditch friends & neighbors. We pack up several plates of goodies, attach the following poem & watch as the ghosts take over the neighborhood...


You’ve Been BOO'ed!
The air is cool, it’s time for fall,
Soon Halloween will come to all
Ghosts and goblins, spooks galore,
Tricky witches at your door.

The spooks are after things to do,
In fact a spook brought this to you !!!
The treats that came with this short note,
Are yours to keep, enjoy them both.

The excitement comes when friends like you,
Will copy it & make it two,

We'll all have smiles upon our faces,
No one will know who BOOed our places!

Just be sure that you don’t tell,
Keep it secret, hide it well.
Please join the fun, the seasons here.

Just spread these "BOO's" & Halloween cheer.

Want to start the tradition in your neighborhood as well this year? Print out your very own "You've Been BOO'ed!" template HERE .

xoxo, K

Halloween Time at Disneyland

The "villains" have taken over Disneyland & transformed the parks for the Halloween Season, September 25th - November 1st. Of course, we've already mentioned the ever-popular Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party (have you gotten your tickets yet?), but that's just the beginning of the festivities! Disneyland recently treated C & I to a "Halloween Preview," so we can tell you first hand, they've got a few tricks up their sleeves...

First of all, the "villains" have completely 'boo'-tified the Parks. "Wild candy is growing at Candy Corn Acres at Disney's California Adventure Park" not to mention all of the amazing & clever "jack-o-lanterns, candy corn, ghouls, bats & other fabulously frightful Halloween decorations that are 'boo'-tifing both Parks." & You definitely don't want to miss the ginormous 16-foot tall Mickey Mouse jack-o-lantern on main street! But that's not all the fun in store...although the "villains" may be in charge, all of the characters have gotten into the spirit of things - I'm sure you'll see a character (or two) fully decked out in their own Halloween costumes.

Once again, Jack Skellington has returned to take over the Haunted Mansion & bring back the Haunted Mansion Holiday to New Orleans Square in Disneyland. "Transformed to a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas tradition, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack and his friends provide plenty of havoc and surprises as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion in their unusual style. Jack’s return to the Haunted Mansion includes the traditional Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion Ballroom, with some special spooky surprises in this year’s design."

New this year, and recommended for older kids & adults (although my 4 year old LOVED it), is Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. "The scary new experience will begin as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but will suddenly launch voyagers into an uncharted and haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves of the journey are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music. The Halloween transformation occurs outside the mountain as well, as frightening images, audio and lights illuminate the Space Mountain exterior."

Gracing the evening skies this ghoulish season is the "Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies" Fireworks display. This "new fireworks spectacular will haunt the nighttime sky throughout the Halloween season. To start the show, 'Master of Scare-omonies' Jack Skellington appears in a flash of fire above Sleeping Beauty Castle. Thanks to Jack’s ghoulish charm, haunting melodies fill the air and a Halloween pyrotechnics extravaganza explodes into the night. Such classic Disney villains as Maleficent, Ursula the Sea Witch and Oogie Boogie join in the 'spirit' of the celebration, and even Zero, Jack’s faithful ghost dog, will make an appearance. Spectators in Disneyland are encouraged to participate in a bone-chilling Halloween Scream-Along during the show."

Amazingly enough, there is still more! As if ALL of that wasn't enough, you don't want to miss the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, the villain "meet & greet" at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in seasonal costumes greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland and Sunshine Plaza in Disney’s California Adventure, the Halloween Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch, & all of the delicious seasonal goodies only available this time of year (my personal favorites? the caramel apple cider & candy corn rice krispie treats).

For more details information, crafts (including pumpkin craving patterns & more), Halloween videos, & very, very cool, very interactive computer games for the kids (or even you) be sure to check out Disneyland's Halloween Time website HERE.

xoxo, K
images via Disneyland

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

It's official, the Halloween season is nearly upon us! Have your kids picked out their costumes yet? Start the season off right with a trip to the pumpkin patch. The Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch opens this Saturday, September 19th.

The Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch runs Saturday, September 19th through Sunday, November 1st. The Pumpkin Patch is located just behind the Irvine Park Train Station and admission is FREE. (Although, remember that there is a gate fee to enter Irvine Regional Park.) With literally thousands of pumpkins of all shapes & sizes, I'm sure you'll find the perfect pumpkin. (For a coupon for $2 off any pumpkin over $1o go HERE.)

& Don't worry, there's so much more than just pumpkin picking... with train & hay rides, a photo booth, John Deere Tractor racing, a bounce house, carnival games, haunted house, hay maze, pony rides, paddle boats, you & your kiddos definitely won't be bored!

For more information about the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch go HERE.

Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch
1 Irvine Park Rd.
Orange, CA 92869

Open: September 19th - November 1st, 2009
Weekdays: 10am - 5pm
Weekends: 10am - 6pm

xoxo, K

Happy Halloween

Hope you have a wonderful, safe & fun-filled holiday.... to infinity & beyond!

images courtesy of ana brandt photography

xoxo, K

Halloween in Orange County

We've got two days left to celebrate, what do you have planned? Here's a quick list of activities & going-ons happening around Orange County...

Thursday, October 30th:
* Halloween Time at Disneyland
* Mickey's Trick or Treat Party
* The Haunted Cellar, Anaheim
* Saw Live Action Haunted House, Brea
* Knott's Halloween Haunt
* Boot Hill Haunted House, Irvine
* Tanaka Farms
* Treats in the Streets, Orange
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo
* Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
* Zoomars Petting Zoo's Old Fashioned Family Pumpkin Patch
* BATS! at the Discovery Science Center

Friday, October 31st:
* Halloween Time at Disneyland
* Mickey's Trick or Treat Party
* The Haunted Cellar, Anaheim
* The Haunting, Anaheim
* Saw Live Action Haunted House, Brea
* Knott's Halloween Haunt
* Knott's Camp Spooky Treasure Hunt
* 13th Annual Haunted Maze, Buena Park
* Pagliacci's Circus, Buena Park
* City of Cypress Halloween Carnival
* Trick or Treat on Main Street, Huntington Beach
* Boot Hill Haunted House, Irvine
* Tanaka Farms
* 2nd Annual Mini Monsters Bash, La Habra
* Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
* Zoomars Petting Zoo's Old Fashioned Family Pumpkin Patch
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo
* BATS! at the Discovery Science Center
* Trick or Treating on Main Street, Seal Beach
* Tustin Haunt
* Halloween Howl, Tustin
* Haunt Hotel & Graveyard, Yorba Linda

xoxo, K

Halloween Night

'twas Halloween night, & all through the house
every creature was stirring, including the mouse;
the wall were aflutter with little brown bats,
while hordes of black spiders crept out of the cracks.
by the fire in the kitchen, the witch stirred her brew;
to make it more smelly, she threw in a shoe.

Our favorite new nighttime read, is definitely putting us in the "Halloween Spirit." Marjorie Dennis Murray's Halloween Night is a wonderfully illustrated book detailing the Halloween preparations of a haunted house & all of it's "spooky" inhabitants. Find your own copy HERE.

xoxo, K

Babystlye Costumes now 50% off!

Perfect for last minute costumes, or simply for stocking up on dress-ups... Babystyle costumes are now 50% off! Thanks for the heads up Chandice!

xoxo, K

Boo at the Santa Ana Zoo

Starting this weekend, "Boo at the Zoo" comes back to the Santa Ana Zoo. According to their website "This family-friendly costumed extravaganza will bring FUN, SAFE, trick-or-treating in a "Merry not Scary" Zoo atmosphere, with educational programs throughout the evening, and a costume parade. For the older kids, we also offer "Teen Scream," a haunted house filled with thrills and chills. This ghoulish attraction has a separate entrance, but is included with the price of admission."

The night will be filled with live performances, animal presentations, storytelling, fun & games. Tickets are $5 for zoo members, and $10 for non-members (ages 2 & up). You can purchase tickets at the event or online HERE. For more information, go HERE or call (714)953-8555 ext. 12.

Boo at the Zoo, 5:30-8 pm
Saturday, October 18
Sunday, October 19
Friday - Sunday, October 24, 25, 26

1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana
(714)953-8555

xoxo, K

C & K do Halloween Time at Disneyland: Part 2

There's just something magical about Disneyland around the holidays. I don't know what it is... the lights, the decorations, or maybe it's just that Disneyland is the "Happiest Place on Earth" & the holidays tend to be the happiest time of year. But I especially love that the holidays start early at Disneyland. They don't just decorate for Christmas, they also decorate for Halloween & Thanksgiving. During this time of year I could wander around the parks for hours, simply looking at all the decorations.... giant candy corn hanging from the trees, piles of pumpkins, mini jack-o-lanterns hanging from trees, stacks of hay, paper lantern pumpkins, & giant character inspired jack-o-lanterns. Everywhere you look there is something new. And the fun doesn't end with the decorations. Characters are often dressed up, there are Halloween-inspired rides (think Haunted Mansion), crafts & even food (pumpkin pie anyone?).

Last weekend Coleen & gathered up the kids for a weekend of Disneyland magic. We spent Friday at Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party. & a "party" it definitely was. The event is held at Disney's California Adventure Park & requires an additional ticket (even annual pass holders can't get in without a ticket), if you are interested in going, be sure to get your tickets soon, because there are only a limited number of tickets available, & I hear they are going fast. Anyway, because it's at California Adventure you get the typical Disney Park experience... rides, food, but there is also sooo much more!

Right from the moment you walk in the gates, you know you are in for a night to remember. Immediately following entry they hand every member in your party a bag, remember... it is Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party, so just in case you have forgotten something to gather all your goodies in (as I did), they make sure you are taken care of. As you wander throughout the park be prepared to be amazed at all the costumes. Everyone attending the event (including adults) are invited & encourages to dress in their favorite Halloween costume. I saw some of the most incredible costumes, on both kids & adults. I think my boys could have watched the parade of ghosts, ghouls & witches all night long, & gone home happy. But there was so much to do and see at Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party, that we had to get moving.

One thing you definitely want to pick up as you enter is a map/ listing of events. This is your guide for what to do & where to go. The map details where to find the candy treat stations (& don't worry if there's a line.... it moves quickly, & most of the stations have different candy, so you'll want to hit as many as possible!), locations of the music dance parties (be prepared to do the hookey pookey!), craft & activity stations, as well as where you'll find all of the characters for some fantastic photo opps (I don't believe I've ever seen so many characters out & about!). Without the map, you'll be wandering around aimlessly, which isn't that big of a deal, but you might miss out on some of the fantastic things Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party has to offer!

Want a sneak peek of what's in store for you this Halloween Time at Disneyland? Check out this video...

Hope you get a chance to experience this holiday season at Disneyland. My boys loved every minute of it & keep asking when they can go trick-or-treating at Disneyland again.

xoxo, K

Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World

Just down the road from our fair Orange County lies San Diego, home to many incredible things, including Sea World. With Halloween right around the corner, Sea World is hosting their own Halloween Spooktacular. The all new ocean-inspired Halloween event features a Sesame Street Countdown to Halloween as well as a "meet & greet" with Elmo, trick-or-treating, specially themed Halloween shows, and so much more. Sea World's Halloween Spooktacular is happening weekends from October 4th-November 2nd & Halloween.

xoxo, K
image via sea world.

C & K do Halloween Time at Disneyland: Part I

We finally made it to Halloween time at Disneyland this weekend just in time for all their Halloween fun and I wanted to spotlight our favorite things:

image via flickr

Woody's Roundup was a great place to take the kids for some festive fun and you even get the chance to meet Woody and Jessie. There were crafts, entertainment, and even a petting zoo to get you in the Halloween spirit. My boys loved decorating their own pumpkin cookies and eating all the fun treats.

image via flickr

Jack Skellington has remodeled the Haunted Mansion for a great combination of merriment and fright. I have to admit that my boys were a bit timid on the old haunted mansion ride, but the new additions to the haunted mansion make it fun for all ages.

A great time was had by all: the Halloween treats, activities, and decor at Disneyland truly got us into the Halloween spirit.

xoxo, C

Mummy Dogs

These easy to put together Mummy Dogs from Picky Palate are sure to be a hit for dinner.

xoxo, C

Trick or Treat in Style

I love the idea of a homemade and original trick or treat container to hold all the candy from Halloween.

Cookie Magazine uses a simple tote bag with decals and reflective tape to make a spooky bag.

Martha creates vintage flair by using a tin pail with old candy wrappers, the result is a container that just makes you want to eat all your candy to make sure you have enough wrappers to make this cute craft.

The bottom line is have fun creating your container and you will be guaranteed a bundle of treats!

xoxo, C

No need to carve, just paint...

I have a confession to make - I hate carving pumpkins. I don't know why, it's just never been my thing. That's why I love Better Homes and Gardens "23 Pumpkins to Paint & Decorate". Pictures, how to's, & lots of ideas. (& the best part of a painted pumpkin in my opinion? Depending on the design you choose, more than likely your pumpkin will be able to serve as decoration for both Halloween & Thanksgiving.)

Happy Painting!

xoxo, K
image via BHG.

The Perfect Halloween Menu

The Food Network has updated their site and they have wonderful ideas on how to make sure your menu is spooky enough for Halloween.

xoxo, C
image via food network.