Our 3rd halloween in Abu Dhabi so we know the ropes by now! We do a traditional trick or treating our complex and the kids' school has a huge Fall Festival which is a lot of fun.
We invited some friends to trick or treat with us. As Halloween is not typically celebrated in the UAE (the expats definitely brought it here!), we can't necessarily ring random doors and expect that everyone would know why dressed up and scary kids were at their doorstep asking for treats. So we distribute a flyer at our complex letting people know when it is happening and if they want to participate to put some kind of Halloween decoration on the gate. I would say that about half or a little more participate. Anna had been talking about being a princess for weeks but decided against dressing up at the last minute. I did put an orange "Boo!" shirt on her so at least she was in the halloween spirit! As many of you know, I am so not crafty but I mostly made Jane's costume this year - yay, me! I borrowed the dog ears and tail. Finding craft supplies in Abu Dhabi is *not* easy but after a lot of explaining (trying to explain that stuff that you iron on and it connects two types of fabric to a just okay English speaker is *not* easy to do!), I managed to find fabric and something to connect the dog spots to the t-shirt and leggings. Seriously, yay, me! I know for most DIYers this simple project would not even warrant a mention but for me it does!
For the school fall festival, they have a fun costume parade with all the elementary kids in it. Next they have tons of old-fashioned games that the kids play and get some candy once they complete it (ring toss, something with floating ducks, bean bag toss, etc.). Anna was pretty worn out but she managed to play a few, too. It's definitely one of the biggest events of the year at school and the kids love it. The weather was lovely for this event, too - last year it was quite hot so we were glad for a mild night tonight.
Since I needed to work a few shifts in different booths, I hired a couple of high schoolers to come hang out with Meredith and Anna and take them to the booths while I was working. These girls *adore* Rachel and Stefanie so I don't think they even missed me. Regan and Jane are big enough to wander around on their own with friends. Regan is really enjoying her independence - fourth grade is such a neat year. Next year will be her last Fall Festival as it is just for elementary kids.... Going by so fast....
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Regan (Nancy Drew), Meredith (cowgirl), our friend Ameera (witch)
and puppy dog, Jane, ready to go trick or treating |
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Jane had a red tongue painted on her face and her
lollipop turned it the same red - the girls thought
it was very funny! |
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Meredith in the parade. She looked a bit nervous and held on to
her assistant teacher (Ms. Lisa) the whole time |
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| Regan and Yu-Kyung heading by in the parade |
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| Sweet Puppy Jane marching confidently in the parade |
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| The school choir (Regan is in the middle) sang the Monster Mash for us |
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Jane, friend Summer and Meredith (front row)
with beloved sitters Rachel and Stefanie in the back |
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Summer and Jane giving Sandy the Sand Viper a big hug. Jane
was scared of him last year but is being brave now. Meredith
still won't go within 50 feet of the big scary green thing! |
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Sophia, Zoe, Yu-Kyung and Regan - they all adopted a sand
viper to raise money for a worthy cause |
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| Anna (with Rachel) wanted to adopt a snake, too |
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| Yu-Kyung and Regan |
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| Yu-Kyung, Regan, Jane and Meredith |
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