Halloween in Panama

Halloween is SO fun with kids.  Their excitement and planning of their costumes is contagious.  The fact that we live in a country that doesn't really celebrate it did not stop the excitement and planning.  There is a restaurant in town that puts on a party for the kids on Halloween.  They block off the street and have a costume contest and have real candy.  It's not USA style trick or treating but it's still super fun.  

The planning of what to dress up as was surprisingly easy.  We watch a lot of the Marvel comic movies and Woody decided to stray away from his two year run of being The Hulk, and this year went with Thor.  Fabulous pick, considering he has perfect Thor hair.  No wig needed.  Tohi, much like her Mom, has been unwavering in her love for Iron Man.  And the obvious choice for Frances was Captain America. 

There are no real stores here for, um, anything but there is especially nothing for Halloween costumes.  Our costumes were home made out of necessity but it was really fun to make them with Woody and I love a costume that costs zero dollars.  

The start of The Avengers

Woody and I used card board and paper mache to make Thor's hammer and chest armour, Iron Man's hand thrusters, and Capt America's shield.  We had the best time ripping newspapers and spreading our flour and water "glue" all over our projects.  All the parts turned out awesome but one thing I did learn is that paper mache does not dry in Panama.  Thankfully we started our project several days before Halloween so I had time to bake everything on low heat for a few days.  Thor's hammer that Woody put 37 layers of paper mache on to make sure it was as strong as Thor's real hammer was our hardest prop to dry.  After it was painted it started to feel a bit damp again so it went back into the oven til pretty much an hour before we left for the party.  It's humid here.  haha 

"Doot, Doo, Doo.  Paper mache layer 29, just a few more layers so it's super strong. . . and a little extra flour glue. . . that's definitely a great idea.  My hammer won't smell like sourdough bread and mold just in time for Halloween."

If The Avengers all had the same Mom, this is what her purse would look like. 

Capt America spent most of the party hanging with Mom

Candy was thrown into the crowds at random times through out the party and Woody was fast to fill his bag.  Iron Man, however, showed no interest in competing with the other kids for the candy.  She ate a bag of goldfish and a package of crackers.  She's a salty carb girl.  

This adorable Avenger Crew won a $25 gift certificate to the local pizza place!