Cousins Halloween Party

The two 10 year old boys did a fantastic night of fun, but it would not have been possible without the distinct help of my parents. After an afternoon meeting with the party planners just short weeks prior, my parents always keep a tight lip what the party theme will entail. The idea is for the element of surprise, and no matter what children are chosen to party plan, all planners seem to do the same; say nothing in advance to the party goers.

For the weeks leading up to the big party, my parents are busy day and night making the kid's plans become reality. Their parties are always well thought and planned, and the party attendees always have fun and leave in awe. They should write a book (Hint, Mom and Dad). My dad just didn't "wing it" when it came to building the surprise, he mapped it out to scale and enjoyed his time at the local hardware store.

The boys wanted a Haunted Maze in the garage. Their idea was granted and my dad set to work and transformed the middle bay of their garage into a winding, easy-to-get-lost, completely dark minus the spooky lights flashing, gooey and gross elements leading your way maze. Oh, and the fog machine was the final kicker that not only made an ugly smell, but created a more edgy experience.

These two cuties were the first to go through. Every year the kids want to go in pairs or threesomes, they never have enough bravery to go solo. While some of their scared attitude is for show, I think deep down we all are a little worried about what we might encounter. I guess that is the point of Halloween and every year the party planners succeed.

The kids that had them, took in their Flip Videos to capture the moment on film. The boys loved watching the movie after the fact because they got to see it from the attendees perspective. They had been working within the maze; popping out with masks on, following you around, making sound effects with marbles falling on the cement, they loved it. Especially! when! the! girl! cousins! and! moms! had! a! turn! (But my son is convinced that his two uncles were scared of the clown face that popped out of the black mazed wall). Ha Ha.

When the first two girls were going through the garage, the remaining three girls were across the house in the dinning room with the parents so they couldn't hear what was occurring on the other side of the door. However, the first two girls screamed SO LOUD that it was pointless - the whole house and the dog secured in the bedroom could hear them. An unplanned barking dog added another element of spooky to the boy's delight.

Upon exit - streamed with Silly String - the two chickies were wide eyed but gave smiles that showed a glimmer of acting. They were over excessive screamers for fun, and that was awesome. The boys ate that up! However, now the next group didn't want to go, and it took a lot of coaxing and reorganizing the pairs to get the confidence built back up. I think this year the element of excitement leading up to the maze was more so than any prior year. The kids are getting older, and they know what to expect, when not knowing what to expect.

I didn't want to ruin the effect the boys had created in the maze with a flashing camera, so I did not take pictures of the show until after the maze performance was over. Here are the pictures after - imagine it dark with minimal glowing light while walking past these spooky walls.

The continued night of fun included the kids playing, the parents talking, eating yummy food, having our traditional moment for a planned Halloween Game, Halloween Science, and Halloween Art, and staying past Midnight.

Our Costumed Bunch:

My sporty niece dressed as Justin Bieber. I think she is a amazingly close to looking like this pop star in this outfit - otherwise there is no resemblance in real life. The costume is half satire as the kids are not over-the-top-crazy about Bieber. Great costume.

And then the dads had to get in on the fun later in the evening with Justin's hair. Just not the same look ....

Our fun High School Cheerleader with her fun Momma. Go Team!

My nephew the grumpy, raggedy, old man. This cracked me up because my nephew's real face is so adorable and handsome, this gruff look is total opposite and kinda creepy. The mask fit tight enough that my nephew could "talk" normal which made the old man essentially talk. His shirt reads I Love Bingo under his terry cloth bathrobe and flannel pajama bottoms. Another great costume, in which my brother also had to try on.

A group photo to show the  Cowgirl Cousin to the left of my daughter the Spanish Dancer alongside her cousin the Flapper next to the Little Boy getting a piggy-back-ride on David Letterman!

My husband and son found this costume idea in a catalog, but decided to make it themselves. The idea was to create the illusion of a little boy riding on the back of an old man. But the old man masks were creepy (see nephew's mask above- haha), and so they found David Letterman. He qualified as an old man look. So they went that route. Buying some of the clothes through the Goodwill, the two went to work creating the look. I think it gets two thumbs up.

The Cousin's Halloween Party ends with a traditional gift giving by my parents. My mom is a retired Teacher-Reading Specialist and she enjoys giving books. Every year she has treated the seven to a book chosen by her specifically for each child. It is so generous, and very much appreciated by the parents and the book recipients!

We are so grateful for our close-knit and close proximity of family. We look forward to this Fall Kickoff type of party every year to reconnect and regenerate before the bustle of the upcoming holiday season. Happy Halloween!!!