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Home » Blog » Halloween: The Before’s, The Durings, The Afters

Halloween: The Before’s, The Durings, The Afters

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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Grandma’s Halloween Party:

022Abbey is a flapper…we found that dress for 4 dollars and she altered it herself to make it fit better. 0233 best friend girl cousins…all born the same year. 024026Jeff is “Country Club Man”.  He stayed in character the whole night.  No, not annoying at all.  030 031 032 033 034 035 036 037 038 039 040 041Grandma vacuuming up the aftermath of the donut game.  She has parties like this…20 grandkids plus adults…all the time.  And I’ve NEVER her seen her stressed.  EVER.  She has never raised her voice to a child or spoke impatiently to any of them.  She has never had that “mean party look” that says “get out of my way I have a lot to do”.  She has never batted an eye when a kid spills all over carpet, furniture, floors.  I have never seen her tired.  Seriously.  She made (not bought!) chili, vegetable soup and tortilla soup and set up the house so cute.  And laughed and enjoyed the party the entire time.

What the secret?

Don’t ask me.  I am NOT the person to ask.  I’ll ask her sometime….there’s my next Celebrity Interview.  If she’ll agree.  Don’t you want her to?  042Crazy Uncle Tom.  He dresses like that at every party.  Weird. 043 044 045Aunt Tiffany was voted “best candy hander-outer”…really long sticks of gum…used for sword fights of course.  Here you can see her reprimanding a thiefing nephew for taking two instead of one. (Isaac.) Also, she’s pregnant with her 6th child.  And she was the one who made that spider cake you saw above. And her nails are done.  And she has a super cute outfit on.  Let’s hit her with really long gum sticks!046  

Halloween Night: 

004Isaac is missing because he went to his cousin’s house.  He is 15 after all.  Sniff sniff.007Abbey and friend Maddie…dressed warm.016 019 020We leave our candy out on the porch…so we both can go out with the kids.  When we come back home it is only 1/2 way gone.  I love our neighborhood.  LOVE.    024 025 026 028 029 032 034A chicken stuck in a pile of leaves.  035  I love when adults take Halloween seriously.  I plan to my whole life.039 040Isn’t it weird that Patrick has only said Mama and Dada his whole entire life, but suddenly on Halloween night he can say Trick or Treat and Thank You loud and clear because he knows he’ll get candy?  I feel sort of betrayed.041 042See that house in the background?  That is one of my favorite houses in my neighborhood.  It is PERFECTION.  I met the owner and she laughed when I told her that and said, “Well the outside looks better than the inside.”  But I doubt that.  (I kind of snuck a few nosy peeks before she came to the door.  It is divine.)

Later That Night

045 Abbey and her friend Maddie assessing the situation.050Matt comes home with the goods. 052055 Andrew invents the “Trick or Treat” feedbag.  056057 058 059 The End.

(You don’t want me to take pictures of the Day After do you? Argghhh.)

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November 1, 2009 · 35 Comments

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  1. Stephanie @ A Fine House says

    November 1, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Loving all of the pics!! It looks like they had such fun. They are so cute!
    We passed out candy since my babies are 15 and 20. The little ones are so adorable. I asked my hubby if I could borrow just one of the little bumble bees that comes to my door. He said no, their parents might not appreciate it. Party pooper.

    Reply
  2. lalalovely lindsay says

    November 1, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    Adorable!! I love Patrick's chicken costume. Went to get one for next year and they were all sold out. What size is P's costume? I'd love to buy it from you for Ellie.

    Reply
  3. Maiden Jane says

    November 1, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    Great photos! It looks like everyone had so much fun. Great job Abbey on the alterations! Hooray for Grandma that has so much patience! I want to know her secret, too.

    Reply
  4. Anne says

    November 1, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Your mom sounds like my Nanna- She hosts a birthday lunch each month for our whole family (3 kids, 12 grandkids + their spouses and 19 great grandkids) and gets on to us about wanting to help her with the dishes! Oh- and she's 84!
    Wish I had her patience and grace!

    Reply
  5. Love Being A Nonny says

    November 1, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Love all your pictures. I am a Nonny, and I'll tell you Grandma's secret before you ever ask her. (Let's see if I am correct). It's called *We love you and we want you to keep coming back so we do all we can to keep the family together even if it means cooking and cleaning and smiling because we want you to always have your parties here did I mention we love you?*

    Reply
  6. cindy says

    November 1, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    Great documentary :o) Looks like everyone had a blast!

    Reply
  7. Emily@remodelingthislife says

    November 1, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    looks awesomely fun!

    Reply
  8. Two Little Tots says

    November 1, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    awesome pictures…love them. and i love the new banner…how did you get the little circles on the side of clover lane?

    Reply
  9. Marcy {pine creek cottage} says

    November 1, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    Oh that chicken! What fun to see the trick or treating! I think he's going to be an efficiency expert – will just do what he needs to do. Love that he now knows 'trick or treat' and 'thank you'!

    Love all the photos.

    Reply
  10. Unknown says

    November 1, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Sarah, I can relate re: Isaac. My Alex did the same thing; first change he got, he escaped to his cousin's house. Even spent the night. However, when I picked him up this morning he admitted that he missed us a lot and prolly would have liked it better had he tagged along with us. 🙂 Warmed my heart, but glad he got to experience another experience. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Lapiz de la Guerra says

    November 1, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    Too cute! At least Patrick said anything at all…mine just took the candy, waved bye bye and then ran off. So much for manners! I love it when adults take Halloween seriously too…it's the one time of year when you're allowed to dress up funny and be silly. And seriously, I want to BE your grandma, she sounds like such an amazing woman! Happy Halloween…and good luck with the sugar crash aftermath :o)

    Reply
  12. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    November 1, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Wonderful photos…the party looks like so much fun. 🙂 We took our girls Trick or Treating for the first time last night, and had a blast. Glad you had fun!

    Reply
  13. inge says

    November 1, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    The pictures are great. The chicken outfit just makes me smile every time I see it. Savour every moment it is such a precious happy time.

    Reply
  14. Shannan Martin says

    November 1, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    Looks like we are missing a picture of a key memeber of the family….. Veddy suspicious.

    Also – Calvin looked at these with me and right away said, "Hey! That boy has the same shirt as me!" (Re: Andrew's grey/green sports shirt.)

    Can't wait to hear from Grammy….

    Reply
  15. Ruth H. says

    November 1, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Please interview Grandma. I really, really, really need to know the secret. It was a party of 50 at my house on Friday, half of them children. Somehow, all the children ended up in our large basement without any adults. Except me. We did the donut swing. I was still the only adult. I'm not sure if they ran out of ice upstairs. I never tasted the chili I made, or the mac n cheese. Downstairs, we spilled root beer and emptied the game cupboard and the contents of all games all over the floor. Do you think anyone noticed that my smile was FAKE?

    I need to read that interview, quick!

    Reply
  16. gretchen from lifenut says

    November 1, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    Fantastic photos!

    Reply
  17. Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. says

    November 1, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    You are such a talented photographer (yes, I've said that pretty much every post ever!)

    Glad you had a great time…and please ask how Grandma stays so calm and cool during parties! I need to know! 🙂

    Reply
  18. sara says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    please interview grandma, i'd like to know how she does it!! it looks like a great party! love the pictures of it all.

    my 2 year old, gracie fell in love with your son's chicken costume. we went on a frantic search for one saturday & found something similar. she was very happy & it made her halloween.

    Reply
  19. Maria says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    I'd love to find out how your mom throws the perfect party and also enjoys herself without being tired – oh my I'm getting tired just thinking about all she does

    Reply
  20. Kathy says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:46 pm

    Great Pics- I got some good ideas on costumes for next year !
    1. I finally made a banner for my Blog – thank you for the tutorial.
    2. I ordered 2 sweatshirts from Kohls –
    Love them !
    3. I love that your son used a pillow case for his candy !!!

    Reply
  21. Beki - TheRustedChain says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:22 am

    I am so coming to your place next year for Halloween! You do it right!

    Me? Not so much.

    What a great time!

    Reply
  22. Lisa says

    November 2, 2009 at 2:50 am

    Amazing pictures – thanks so much for sharing them! The closeup of your son in the cowboy hat is priceless!

    Reply
  23. Melanie says

    November 2, 2009 at 2:56 am

    What an awesome grandma your kids have!

    Reply
  24. likeschocolate says

    November 2, 2009 at 3:05 am

    Great photos! It looks like you guys really know how to do Halloween. So fun!

    Reply
  25. Nancy says

    November 2, 2009 at 4:10 am

    What great pictures… great ideas for costumes for next year. "Country Club Guy" my husband could work that in a big way. Your daughter's cousin with the drawn on facial hair and glasses. THat is hilarious. what a great time.

    Reply
  26. kami @ nobiggie.net says

    November 2, 2009 at 4:57 am

    Wow, what a party! All your kids looked great this year… few…it's over, ahhhh.

    Reply
  27. Southern Belle Mama says

    November 2, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Ahhh! It's the spider cake from the cover of Country Living! I really wanted to make this cake, but the babe wanted to make Halloween cookies instead. I'm glad someone got to make it…she did a great job!

    Reply
  28. momto5minnies says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    These were WONDERFUL!

    You have a beautiful family, but I must say that daughter of yours has the most gorgeous eyes.

    Your neighborhood sounds just perfect!

    Reply
  29. Kara Herron says

    November 2, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    You take the most wonderful pictures! I wish I would have been blogging when my kids where young enough to let me take cute pictures (they just glare or make dumb faces now). I especially love the close up donut pictures. Looks like you had fun. And I agree – that house is PERFECTION. We used to live in Pennsylvania and it looked just like that – woods everywhere, with all of these fallen leaves. *sigh* Now we live in a desert – NOT EVEN the same feel in the Fall.
    -Kara

    Reply
  30. Colleen says

    November 2, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    I could've sworn that picture of Aunt Tiffany was you! Which leads me to ask why there were no pictures of you??? Did you dress up?

    Reply
  31. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    What a FABULOUS post — your photos are AWESOME! Looks like you guys had a great Halloween — Grandma's party looked like so much fun. Please interview her! 🙂 ALL of the costumes were so great — that chicken one is SO cute!!!

    Reply
  32. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2009 at 1:36 am

    Cherish Grandma. I pray, literally pray, that I'm like that as a Grandma. Could use a little of that patience now with my own. I do get stressed at times. It's a gift and you are lucky to have her in your life. Please interview her. I know I could learn a lot. I think teaching by example is the best way and you've just reminded me I'm an example for three who are always watching and learning. Thanks.

    Reply
  33. Heather says

    November 3, 2009 at 2:58 am

    Please tell Grandma that she MUST do a celebrity interview. We all need her help!

    Love all your Halloween pictures. Your kids looked so cute and it looks like they had lots of fun!

    Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    November 3, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Just came back for a second looksy 'cause I didn't have much time yesterday and wanted to say your life looks grand! Showed my girls the flapper costume and I think I got buy-in for next year.

    Reply
  35. Cate O'Malley says

    November 6, 2009 at 2:00 am

    Love all the pics, especially the chicken!

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. 🍃
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! 🏡
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
🍃
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
🍃
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
🍃
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! ☀️
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
🍃
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
🍃
Clip on bed lights save space. 
🍃
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
🍃
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
🍃
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. ☀️🌷🌱
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
☀️
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
☀️
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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