Halloween Photos (finally!)

Well, here they are! These are photos from each of the three Halloween parties I was responsible for planning. The first picture, here on top, is from the “all village” Halloween party. Last year, Mr. Kamaya and I thought it would be nice if this year we planned an event that more than just elementary students could take part in. In the past, only the elementary kids were able to enjoy the joys of a Halloween party. This year, we had an event at the Community Center half of the hotel. This photo is a shot of a game we played called the Mummy Wrapping game. Each team had ten seconds to wrap as much of a roll of toilet paper around us as they could before they had to pass the roll off to the next person in their team (like a relay race).

The event began with pumpkin carving. The boys and I decided to dress up for fun. After all, what’s Halloween without a costume? After the carving, we played a couple of relay races and then a giant bingo game. The event was supposed to end at 12:00, but Aaron hung around for an extra half hour painting faces for the kids. Ridge and Holt ran around the big room and played with Hibiki and Aiko while I chatted with their moms.

This is Mr. Kamaya (my boss – the superintendent – wrapped as a mummy)
Kamaya-san

Ridge and Holt waiting in lines as the event gets underway.
waiting

Three middle school girls carving an Anpan Man jack-o’-lantern. Check out the girl in the purple shirt (Akane). How many fourteen-year old girls do you know who can sit like that?
Middle School Girls

The next day saw me at Nishiokoppe elementary school in the afternoon for more pumpkin carving and games.

Kaori’s group working on theirs. I love the way the older kids always help out and mentor the younger ones. Kaori has her arm around a first grader. (Kaori lives across the street. She’s the one who babysat the boys with her older sister, Mari).
Kaori's group

Aaron painting faces. We stayed after again and both painted faces until everyone had something.
Face Painting

This is Kazuya. He’s a sixth-grader and absolutely hysterical. These fake eyes were his idea.
Crazy Eyes

This is me leading the way in a giant game of “Ghost, ghost witch” (a.k.a. Duck, duck, goose).
Ghost, Ghost,Witch

On the third day, I went to Kamiokoppe and had my final party. It was a more intimate affair, what with there being only five students.
Carving Pumpkins

Each student carved more than one. They grew these pumpkins in their school garden!
Finished Product

Masataka got really excited about bobbing for apples!
Bobbing

Aaron had time to do more elaborate face painting here. This is Tomoyasu. He’s a sixth-grader.
Tiger Face

Masataka was inspired when showed him my photo of Kazuya’s fake eyes. However, Masataka decided to step things up a notch.
Crazy Eyes 2