The Cute Halloween Leprechaun

In the beginning, I was really missing our former neighborhood's trunk or treat. We, meaning Matt, really got into it all. The first year, we had a giant cardboard Spongebob. As the kids reached through his mouth to grab candy, Spongebob laughed. The second year, Matt went "radioactive." He was dressed in a "clean" suit and used tongs to get the candy (warheads) out of the bucket to give to the kids. Last year, Matt did a Price is Right theme with his Plinko board. The kids had to play Plinko to win their candy. (Every kid was a winner, don't worry.)

Our neighborhood does not do a trunk or treat or a Halloween party for our church ward. Sad. I was really lamenting it all, and we even considered driving back to our old neighborhood for their trunk or treat. However, I'm glad we stayed here in our neighborhood for a few reasons.

One: I had forgotten how exciting it is for kids to go door to door trick or treating until I watched Jackson.

Two: I think I'd really like to be creative again, next year, and do a themed "house" with candy that goes along with it. It could be really fun. Besides, we might end up being the "cool" house.

Three: I really got to meet some neighbors, and where we live IS really safe for trick or treaters. Growing up, we were able to just go out and not worry about all of the scary stuff. Where we live now, we can do the same thing. Don't worry, I wouldn't ever send my 5 year old off alone, but it really is safe to just go around town here. It's nice.

Anyway, enough of my chatter: here's what was the most exciting part of it all! Introducing . . .

Jackson the Leprechaun

For those of you who forgot, or don't know, the inspiration for Jackson's costume:


Attention to detail was necessary, except the beard -- although he was given the opportunity to wear one, which he turned down. (If you think I went to too much trouble, then you can ask Jackson about it .) Yes, if you pushed the button, Jackson would sing, or at least he'd hum, "C'mon Eileen" for you.

The full shot. Yes, Mommy made the costume, except for the cane. Matt whittled that from one of our lilac trees. The hat was originally black, but I covered it in the extra fabric.
One more picture for good measure.
At the beginning of the night, his pot of gold was empty, but by the end, it was overflowing with the "gold" only for which Halloween leprechauns are excited!