Question to DIYFather - safety precautions for Halloween?

What’s everyone doing for safety precautions for Halloween? My husband came across an article (i-newswire.com) with some info about background checking neighbors. I thought that may be a little overboard but it had some other good suggestions for some precautions I haven’t thought about. Last year my youngest son came down with a massive fever after Halloween. I almost thought about just taking the kids to our church’s fall festival this year instead of door-to-door to prevent that from happening again. I don’t know yet. What’s your advice? Am I over-reacted or just being a concerned mom?

- Shelly Haggerty

Trick or Treat!? - this is a Treat

This is my son Caleb, he was very proud he was given so many lollies on Wednesday night! His sister took him with her friend and her grandmother Trick or Treating on Halloween.

"Look Daddy I still got a lolly left from Trick or Treating!!"

- Bill

DIY with dad - Halloween ideas

Last October my son was 2 1/2 years old and loved asking me to draw “scary cats.” See below. (I tried to make them as friendly as possible while still satisfying his requests for more claws and teeth.) So this year I thought it would be fun to use the drawings for another match game. Just draw a line to match the silhouettes to the correct figure. They really loved this one, and finding the correct cat was sometimes tricky! There’s a download below if you want to try it out too. Happy October!

Click on the image below, then print.

By Joel Henriques
MadeByJoel.com.

Gourd-geous Halloween Aliens

Here's another DIY project for dads and kids - create your own Halloween Aliens! Monster aliens are adorable table decorations & also make great party favors with a spooky sweet twist.

What you need:
* creepy gourds
* carving knife
* toothpicks
* candy
* pliers
* small hammer

Daddy, why is it called Halloween?

If you get asked that question over the next few days - here are some ready-made reponses for you:

1. Very short answer:
Because I said so

2. Short answer:
It's complicated - go and ask your mum

3. Long answer:
The term Halloween, originally spelled Hallowe’en, is shortened from All Hallows' Even – e'en is a shortening of even, which is a shortening of evening. This is ultimately derived from the Old English Eallra H?lgena ?fen which is now known as "Eve of" All Saints' Day. (All Saints Day is November 1st). Halloween has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones.

[thank you Wikipedia]