SparkDad

When you think of summer, you think of kids out of school running around playing with other neighborhood kids. Here in the Houston area those thoughts have to fast forward to fall. The weather in Houston has finally cooled. Now don’t get misunderstand me, during the day it is still hot. But in the evening and mornings it is under 80 degrees and on our street the kids are out in full force.

There are about 10 kids in elementary school on our street and here are a few of the boys in the back of the Silverado. Yes they look a little intimidating but I promise none of them, despite the bloody Halloween knife, are Dexter.    

Speaking of Halloween were are prepping for our 6th annual party! Last year we had about 60 – 70 guests all in costume. We have a great time, good fun for the entire family!

This week I have been working on the graveyard for our front lawn. I built it once and tore it down because Mama had a different vision : ) The final product was worth the extra effort. 

The wood is left over from Hurricane Ike. We saved some of it for building Halloween props. Our entire fence was destroyed in that nasty hurricane, but it went to good use on this project.

We cut the wood up and pounded them in to the ground. Then we layered  more and made an awesome arch. There is some new wood in the arch for stability, but everything else is recycled from Hurricane Ike.  My wife went to Home Depot in the Silverado to get the new wood and other necessary supplies. She loves to drive the truck, except when parking, because it gives here a clear view of the road. Much different than the Nissan Altima that she drives that hugs the ground.

If you look hard you will see our Graveyard Man, as the kids call him, sitting in a chair in the back close to the house. We will begin decorating inside the house in the next few day. We do a lot of decorating inside as well.  There will be giant spiders and rooms with entire room scenes such as a a haunted house and mad scientist laboratory.

My wife is dreaming up all sorts of fun games for the party as we speak. She has a “pin the tail” on the pumpkin game and of course the Mummy Wrap.

I am off now to go to make an appearance with Great Day Houston on behalf of our Local Houston Chevy Dealers!

See ya! – Spark Dad

Piñata’s are a fun craft to undertake and can save you a tremendous amount of money! 

We started a couple of years ago making piñata’s for our kids birthday parties and now have a bit of reputation with our group of friends for making great piñatas.

 

In this post I will discuss how to make a skull piñata which would be perfect for a pirate birthday party or a Halloween party.

 

 

What you will need:

• Large Paint Brush or Foam Brush
• Masking Tape
• Punch Balloon
• Newspaper (Cut into 1” strips)
• 1-2 cups flour
• 5-10 cups water
• Medium Pain
• Scissors
• Black Paper
• Large Cardboard box
• 10 yards of yarn (any color)
• White crepe paper
• Plastic Container with lid ( large enough to hold 6 cups of water )
• White printer paper (cut into 1” strips)

 

Steps:

1. Blow up large balloon to skull size desired. Set aside.

2. Place 4 cups of water to boil at medium heat

3. Once water is at a rolling boil pour cold flour into boiling water, boil about 1 minute stirring constantly and then remove from heat. Let cool about 5 minutes.

4. Begin brushing a thin layer of paste about 3” wide and about 10” long

5. Apply newspaper strips over the layer of paste. The newspaper should stick to the layer. Brush on another thin layer on top of the newspaper.

6. Continue until the entire balloon is covered with newspaper. Let dry for at least 6 hours.

7. While balloon is drying cut a jawbone shape from the cardboard. Make sure the jawbone is long enough to wrap around the bottom of the balloon to form a skull jaw and nose piece.

8. Once balloon is dry. Take yarn and wrap around the balloon creating a reinforced layer of yard. The yarn should create a loop at the top of the balloon “skull” for tying the rope to the piñata.

9. Repeat step 5 and 6 until entire balloon skull is covered in a second layer. Let dry at least 6 hours.

10. Once the balloon is dry, use the masking tape to attach the jawbone to the bottom of the skull.

11. Repeat step 5 and 6, covering the entire piñata including the jawbone in another layer of paste and white printer paper. This helps cover the newspaper print for the next layer. Dry at least 6 hours.

12. Using white crepe paper cover the entire piñata in overlapping layers of paper to create the fancy outer layer.

13. Cut out eyes, nose and mouth from the black paper and use left over past to attach to the piñata.

14. Use left over paste and crepe paper to wrap around a broom stick for the party goers to beat the skull senseless!

15. Cut a small hole in the top back of the skull to put candy in. The balloon will pop but the skull should maintain it’s shape.

 

Tips:

 

Be sure to allow plenty of time for drying between steps. Humid climates require more time. If you do not allow proper dry times then the piñata will be weak and break very easy.

 

You can also read this article at eHow.com using the following link.

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_5830808_make-skull-pi_ata.html

 

- Spark Dad

 

Christmas is my favorite and most dreaded time of year.  Not only is it a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but to enjoy fellowship with family and friends.

 

The only part about Christmas that I do not like is all of the things that have to be done. We normally travel for part of the holiday so we are always trying to get everything done two weeks earlier than everyone else! It can be very stressful!

 

Packing for the trip, buying gifts, wrapping, making cookies,etc. Whew! I am tired thinking about it!

 

This year we heard about The Elf on the Shelf. You can read more about it at the Elf on the Shelf Website . You get your own personal scout elf for your home during the Christmas Season. This elf moves around every night to different places, because he visits Santa at night to report how the kids behaved!

 

Skeeter was a little speculative of the elf business, but Pork Chop bought it hook line and sinker!

 

I think that we have found a new tradition in our family. It is fun and exciting to find the elf every morning as he moves around the house! Today he is on the shelf waiting for Santa to come to our house for an early visit!

 

Thanks for coming to Spark Dad and enjoy your Christmas Season!

 

Get your mom a plastic spoon

 

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