Halloween & Dia de Los Muertos

Halloween is new to Mexico, Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not. Some sort of Dia de Muertos has been practiced for almost 3500 years. Here is a great article from my old local paper, The Arizona Republic. Dia de Los Muertos celebrates those that have passed on before us. Elaborate and colorful ceremonies take place in cemeteries and on street corners all across Mexico. Altars of remembrance are set up in homes and stores:

On the altars, you will find these, sugar skulls:

And lots of Pan de Muerto to share, a soft sugary egg breadmarked with a cross on top:

Dia de Muertos takes place on November 1, the same day Catholics celebrate All Saints Day. Being in Mexico for this holiday, Julie & I had grand plans to explore the local graveyards... but as Nov. 1 is also Mr. Sangster's birthday, we didn't have much energy after hours of celebratory cocktails, a traditional Mole meal, and super sweet chocolate cake... the holiday was not a complete loss because we did celebrate Halloween the night before in full force. And were surprised to learn that Mexico celebrates Halloween now too - and not just for one night - as we had kids coming by the casa for 3 nights in a row "tricky-tricky"...

The pinata was hung and ready for a good beating:

Jules so thoughtfully brought goodie bags for our kids and some of the local kids she knows:

All the kids found googly-eyes in their treat bags:

This was Sir Cody's costume... the cutest, sleepiest, Mariachi ever:

Lily was a butterfly-Mexican-fairy-girl... I just threw in the Mexican because it seems she has been a butterfly-fairy-girl for all 8 years! (Note the aluminium foil magic wand because Mom forget the real one in Atlanta... that's my crafty girl!)

Baby Bindley was what else... a Beeeeee: (Or a Yellow Jacket for our GA Tech friends!)

Complete with stinger:
The casa even had a Dia de Muertos altar:

It was early night for Baby B... he wanted that costume O-F-F-off of his little body: