Hello, isn't it nice to have an extra hour sleep thanks to the time change?

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. My two girls were sick - cough and colds - but managed to get out trick or treating for almost an hour. I know they were disappointed but I think they have enough loot to last them to Christmas!

Liv was trick or treating with a friend, Vivi, when she started to feel unwell and needed to go home. I took her back and then stayed out with Vivi.

I felt a kid again, going door to door with Vivi and treat or treating along side her, saying I was collecting the candies for my sick daughter who had to pack it in early. "Honest, this isn't for me!" I emphasized. What us moms won't do for our kids!

Well, I am off on an amazing work assignment until Nov 13th. Heading to Ghana with Cadbury's to see their fair trade chocolate operations and the delivery of hundreds of bicycles to children in rural villages who will use them to get to school. Very inspiring and exciting. I will miss my kids terribly, though.

I'll tell you all about it when I get back ... and there will be more contests.

Take care.

Ok, so I am sitting at my desk here at the Canadian Living office all decked out in pirate gear ... the hubby's white dress shirt, my skinny black pants, high black leather boots, belt with a plastic sword tucked in, red leather gloves, an awesome hat complete with a skull-n-cross-bones emblem and a faux black bird on my shoulder!

My kids helped with the face paint (beard and scars).

I challenge you to find another mom who loves Halloween as much as I do! I'm quite certain I like it more than Christmas. No line-ups, shopping, multiple trips to the mall — just great candy and spooky fun.

My girls love it, too ...

Sophie, 7, is capitalizing on the fact that she has lost four teeth this month and is going trick or treating as a witch. We found a great black velvet and taffeta girl's party dress at Value Village (my favourite Halloween store) for about $6. It has asymetrical layers and looks perfect under her cape.

Liv, 10, is going out as Coraline — the character from the movie by the same name. We bought black boots for $4.99 at Value Village and then spray-painted them blue. We also picked up a blue top ($2.99) and then ironed on white stars. I love pulling together costumes like these ... they're cheap, creative and completely originally.

Tonight, we are going to hang out at home and watch "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." (Worth renting!) Then tomorrow night, we'll shell out and hit the streets of our 'hood. I can't wait — feels like Christmas Eve ... only better.

What are your kids getting dressed up as?

Happy Halloween everyone!