Humbug Witch sat on the family bookshelf my entire childhood. It is a classic Halloween book that captures a child’s imagination. The imagery is simple but engaging and memorable. We loved getting it out every Halloween as kids, and as soon as the first grandchild was born we brought it out once again.

Costumes!!! We love getting dressed for Halloween! I firmly believe that group costumes are the best. Our family can mark the passage of timed based on our family costumes alone. A great group costume can get everyone excited for the big day. Maybe our previous years’ costumes can inspire your clan.

The Book

Humbug Witch

Author/Illustrator: Lorna Balian

Recommended Age: 5-7 years old

Book Brief: There was this thing…and an ugly thing it was! It was scary and nasty and dressed quite horribly. It called itself a witch.

It tried to laugh wickedly. It tried to weave fierce Black Magic potions. It tried to fly through the dark, eerie sky on its broom. Yet nothing happened!

This witch became quite discouraged. It took off its tall black hat. It took off its gold-buckle black shoes. It took off its long black dress…and then the unexpected happened!

About the Author: Lorna Balian’s prizewinning books have delighted young and not-so-young readers for more than a quarter of a century. Now a proud grandmother, Ms. Balian lives with her family in a converted schoolhouse in Hartford, Wisconsin.

The Blast

Family Costumes!

Everyone is brainstorming their costumes and getting ready for Halloween Night. I hope your family has a great place to celebrate . . . and that you go in style, with your whole family dressed as a matching theme! Here are some of our most memorable Halloween costumes. Some have been pricey and complicated; others have been simple and last minute. Regardless, we have always had a lot of fun!

Our first year married: Super Heroes

Couple: Mad Scientist and Bride of Frankenstein

Our first baby: The Three Amigos

1 Child: Mouseketeers

2 kids: Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Minnie

2 kids: The Incredibles, with extended family – Grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Incredible; we also had Violet, Dash, Bomb Voyage, Syndrome, and Edna Mode.

3 kids: Alice inWonderland – Queen  of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Alice, King of Hearts, and Baby Ace of Hearts

This year?…….

Other great family costumes I’ve seen: The Flintstones, Toy Story, Peter Pan, Vampires or Witches, Mario Bros. Cast, Star Wars, Cowboys and Cowgirls, Ghostbusters,  and Where the Wild Things Are (whichwould be a great one this year!).

Extra Tips for a Good Time:

• If you use hair spray paint, only use it on short hair or hair that is pulled back. Otherwise every time it brushes her face or she brushes it out of her face it gets all over everything.
• Make sure they can easily walk without tripping, and they can easily be seen. Completely black costumes on kids make them nearly impossible to find.
• The accessories make the costume! If you are going for a really great costume for an adult or a child, the accessories are what makes it stand out (and they usually don’t come in the package)!
• Make it yourself. We made Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, all out of fabric left over from other projects and it was perfect! There are lots of great websites for costumes you can make on your own. One of my favorites is www.familyfun.com.