Trick or Treat Time is Almost Here!

Get out those Halloween decorations, the big day is only a week away! I remember the excitement when my kids were young.  We would visit a very sincere pumpkin patch, and the kids would pick out a pumpkin. A day or two ahead of time their dad would carve the pumpkin and we were all set!  On the big day, there were always activities at school, but at night they were ready to trick or treat! It w as fun to see the kids excitement as we went around the neighborhood and they would fill up their sacks with goodies.  And when we were done, watching them go through the goodies, and checking to make sure they were okay, was quite an event!

This year as I look back,   I miss those days.  But I am so lucky, because I have a new grandson coming any day, and one day we will get to share the Halloween fun and excitement together.  Happy Halloween, everyone!

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Prep and Tips for a Safe Halloween

Before we know it, Halloween will be upon us.  Here are some tips to help you ensure a happy yet safe Halloween.

For Children:
– Don’t trick or treat without parents.
– Cross streets only at corners.
– Never cross the street between parked cars.
– Carry a flashlight or glow stick and/or wear reflective tape.
– Be aware of motor vehicles that may be turning into or backing out of driveways.
– Never go into a stranger’s house.

For Parents:
– Walk with your children or make sure children are accompanied by a trusted adult.
– Make sure trick-or-treaters will be safe when visiting your home. Remove lawn decorations and sprinklers, toys and bicycles or anything that might obstruct your walkway. Provide a well-lit outside entrance to your home. Keep family pets away from trick-or-treaters.
– Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
– Instruct children NOT to eat treats until they return home and parents have had a chance to inspect those treats.
– Don’t leave candles unattended, try votive candles in your jack o lanterns.

Costume Safety Tips:
– Costumes, masks, beards and wigs should be flame resistant.
– Costumes should be light, bright and clearly visible to motorists; adding reflective tape can help make your child more visible to motorists.
– Make-up is safer than a mask, which can obscure vision. Test the make-up to make sure your child doesn’t have an allergic reaction.
– Avoid over-sized costumes and high-heeled shoes that can cause a child to trip.
– Children should carry a flashlight to easily see and be seen.
– Trick-or-treat bags should not be too large; they can obscure vision or cause a child to trip.

Halloween Hazards:
• Sharp or pointed toy weapons.
• Open flames.
• Dangerous roadways.
• Treacherous “treats” – examine all treats for signs of tampering and choking hazards. Children should not eat homemade treats made by strangers.
• Do not allow children to carve pumpkins alone (special pumpkin cutters for kids are available at your local grocery or Halloween store).

** Consider attending a carnival or festival offered by many schools and faith communities in your area.

Wish you all have a great Halloween!!  

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Human-Animal Communication

Do animals smile?  Find out here:  http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/do-animals-smile-2569143/#photoViewer=1 .  The animals in our lives communicate with us all the time, whether in our sleep or in our waking hours.  Oftentimes we talk to them, silently and out loud, and they answer back.  They share their wisdom, but it is up to us to figure out what they are saying.  And our relationships with our non-human friends can be complicated.  Let the Reverend Nancy Schluntz show you how to understand the animals in your life.  Reverend Nancy , an animal intuitive and interfaith spiritual guide, will be presenting “Animals as Pets, Companions and Family Members” at the Fremont Main Library, 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 29.  Come, listen and gain insights into the relationship you share with your friends of other species.  Be ready to ask questions and help prepare your special friends for a safe Halloween.   Remember:  1-3 p.m., Saturday, October 29, at the Fremont Main Library.

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My favorite time of year is here…

       I love the changing seasons and Fall has always been my favorite season of them all. Fall is in the air and on my mind after a recent trip to the Dell’ Osso Family Farm in Lathrop. I spent a fun filled night with friends looking for that perfect pumpkin, getting lost in a corn maze and shooting mini pumpkins with their pumpkin blasters. I love the way Halloween always makes me feel like a kid again! I also love the creativity that abounds this time of year. I look forward to the fantastic costumes, yummy homemade treats, and of course the incredible pumpkin carving. I’m currently searching through library books to find new ideas for Halloween decorations and pumpkin carving. It’ll be hard to top my clown jack o’ lantern pictured above (yep, I carved that!) but I’m sure going to try. The library has quite a good selection of Halloween materials. If you would like to see what we have, take a look below:

Halloween costumes

Halloween decorating

Halloween cooking

 Pumpkin carving

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13 Bits of Halloween Fun

Thursday Thirteen #88

Are you ready for Halloween? If you don’t yet have your plans locked in, here are some suggestions for having fun with Halloween.

13 Bits of Halloween Fun:
1. Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci

2. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

3. Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett
(Click “Pop Out Player” to Listen)

4. Play on the Ben & Jerry’s Halloween site.

5. Try Pumpkin Carving.

6. Frankenstein makes a sandwich : and other stories you’re sure to like, because they’re all about monsters, and some of them are also about food… by Adam Rex

7. 13 Spooky Songs

8. This is Halloween (From The Nightmare Before Christmas)

9. Visit The Winchester Mystery House (or your local equivalent)

10. Laugh at some Halloween Jokes.

11. Check out your local “Ghost House” or Haunted Maze. Perhaps even play a haunt yourself there.

12. Visit your local Pumpkin Patch or Corn Maze.

13. Throw your own party! Try Halloween How To or Homemade Halloween for some inspiration.

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Halloween Time at Centerville Library

On Tuesday, October 28th, 2008, the Bilingual storytime children at Centerville Library had a great time parading and trick-or-treating in the library.  Look for the state bird–California valley quail if you can.  It was all little Felicia’s own idea.  She had planned for it for a long time, and made the costume mostly by herself!

 

On Thursday, October 30th, 2008, many fun and spooky Halloween stories were read to children during Read-To-Me while maintenance people were working on our roof making the loud “thump thump” sound and the heavy rain outside added even more effects.  The children didn’t mind but I was only able to record these stories after the roof repair was done.

 

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything /
by Linda Williams

Where’s my mummy / by Carolyn Crimi

Brooms are for flying / by Michael Rex

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Zombies @ The Allen County Public Library

Zombies @ The Allen County Public Library:

Unfortunately, the Zombies seem to have already stolen our copy of the Zombie Survival Guide. You’ll have to order it through Link +.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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