Absolutely Fabulous, Smashing Pumpkins!

All dressed up and ready to go, we set off for the Family halloween party, when I decided that now might be the time to announce that we were also joining in the hullabaloo in the Market Place. My shy and retiring husband, in fancy dress for the first time in his life, was shocked. "There is no hullabaloo" he protested. As it dawned on him that not only had I made him a costume, and hat, but got him to wear it, dragged him along to a kiddy party and intended for us and our friends to parade around town in said costume, he blanched.

Eventually I had to wave the glossy flyer at him. He studiously read it. "O.M.G. You are serious!?" ........Indeedy.

In the event we attended the most amazing party, thanks to S&M (The two mums not the illicit activity, I say S&M so as not to confuse my thanks with M&S, who usually get thanks for parties), we had ghost cakes and broomsticks to eat, fantastic!! The house was spookily decorated in the most child friendly yet halloweenly style.

The Daddies, Death, Merlin, The Grim Reaper, Broke-back Mountain Cowboy (I guess for a straight dude that may have been scarier than anything?) and my husband The Random Wizard, all had a great time and witnessed what we stay at home Mummies get up to on a regular basis!!!! (Hopefully they won't begrudge us our fun and demand we should return to work !!)

The divine duo, S&M provided crafts for us, super scary spiders to make, biscuits to ice and more! Great fun!!

Nobody was drunk or disorderly, nobody was rowdy and no fights! (kids or parents). What fun!!!!

At 6pm we packed up our broomsticks and set off for the Hullabaloo. As it was our first outing incognito, we left the costumes in the car. Though I was quite desperate to win the best witch costume, I decided for my husband's sake to ease him in gently- there is always next year!

Nor did we have a pumpkin, as I am a bit of a Zorro wielder with the kitchen knives and not to be trusted, and hubby has no artistic notions.(We would be still taking measurements at Xmas if he was left to carve!!)

The Mayor of Newbury Cllr Kuldip Singh Kang judged the very fine pumpkins, and had quite a jolly time too!

There was unexpected (by us at least) live music, by a not too bad band (no idea who) which was hilariously surreal. Imagine a bunch of under five witches and skeletons, pumpkins and ghouls toddler boogeying at the stage! yo shake that nappy dude!! In fact the whole evening was surreal in a way?

And the Naughty Bus made an appearance again! Yippee! This time it was for face painting!

(Check out Jan and Jerry Oke "Naughty Bus" at Amazon)

Naughty Bus by Jan and Jerry Oke
Little Knowall Publishing
ISBN: 0-9547921-1-4