Halloween festivities

Although we're a little ahead of the calendar, the kindergarten asked me to come in as a witch on Wednesday for Halloween.  I have no idea how this got started in the kindergarten... I probably said something about fun trick-or-treating as a child and the kindergarten principal jumped on the idea and suggested that we do a simple trick-or-treating hour with the children.  A taste of America.  I'm not a great fan of Halloween but I do my part..  Of course there is no actual trick-or-treating on October 31 so this is the only Halloween the kindergarten children will know.  In Japan, what with department store Halloween decorations it seems as if October is synonymous for Halloween as well as for the autumn season.

In past years (I've been at the kindergarten for 20 some years) I have made cookies for the kindergarten's Halloween (which in itself caused some problems because there are always children with allergies) but this year, what with the house renovations and a new oven (oh, I didn't tell you.  I bought a new microwave/oven... so that I could cut down counter space... until now it has been one microwave and one oven) I bowed out of making cookies.  Let's say, I did give it a minor effort, baking a batch of chocolate cookies, WHICH WERE A COMPLETE DISASTER BECAUSE THE COOKIE DOUGH MADE ONE BIG COOKIE SHEET OF COOKIE!!!  I don't think I understand the temperature settings on my oven yet.  And I really don't have the time or energy (or space!) to experiment.

So the kindergarten supplied all the treats and I just came dressed as a witch.

This year the children surprised ME by making paper bag masks!  This was supposed to be a secret (but I was alerted to act surprised) and I was led into the hall with my eyes closed. One hundred some children quietly (but with many giggles) filed into the hall and at the count of three shouted, "BOO!"

This is me being surprised and scared!

After that little performance, the children went around getting treats from teachers and yours truly.  And then they each had their picture taken with the witch.  I am in hundreds and hundreds of kindergarten children's albums from 20 years back.  I'll always be remembered as the Halloween witch at the kindergarten.  (I can think of other things I'd rather be remembered by....)

"BOO!"