You’re invited to celebrate two spooky weeks of trick-or-treating, costume wearing and hair-raising fun for kids of all ages at The Children's Museum of Houston! 

Giant, "friendly" spiders, creepy critters, flying ghosts and wicked bats welcome you to a spellbinding adventure at the Happy Halloween Mansion, Oct. 18 – 31. 

Wander through the Mansion’s hallways in search of goblin goodies, terrifying trinkets and more!

Check out the line-up of must-see events and details about the Halloween Spooktacular on Monday, Oct. 31!

(The museum will be closed on Mondays, Oct. 17 & 24.)

Air conditioning... a wonderful invention, especially for those who live in Katy, TX.

I'm not sure how anyone survives without one but it certainly cuts down on the time we spend outside and the involvement we have with our neighbors.

And then it happens... the first cool front of the season and everyone ventures outside. It's like a little miracle each year.

I never realized how many neighbors we actually have, much less who they are, until that first cool front graces our presence. With that natural air-conditioning comes every carnival, festival and craft show you can possibly imagine.

But my favorite by far is the pumpkin patch. I'm not sure what the draw is, but I know I want to be there. To see every size of pumpkin, take family pictures, smell the hay (and sneeze), and ultimately, choose the "perfect" pumpkin that will grace our front porch for the season.

What could be better than that? I dare say that all those months inside cannot compare to an evening out at the pumpkin patch.

Fortunately, in Katy, you have so many options that there is bound to be one that holds your perfect pumpkin. So check out the list below , choose a patch, and enjoy nature's air conditioning as you enjoy spending time with your family. Oh, and don't forget your camera :)

Pumpkin patches & Festivals in and around Katy:

• Dewberry Farm- pick your own pumpkin, lighted pumpkin stroll, corn maze, hayrides, kid activities
• Old Time Christmas Tree Farm- yes, they have pumpkins, train, giant slide, obstacle course, hayride
• Zoo Boo at The Houston Zoo- Fiesta Mart pumpkin patch: kids choose a pumpkin to paint
• Matt Family Orchard- pumpkin patch, hayride, dressing scarecrows for groups of 15 or more
• 7 Acre Wood- pumpkin patch, hayride, hay maze, pony rides
• Pumpkin Patch Fest- Oct 22, 10am-3pm.
• St. Peter's UMC- Oct 7-31, 9am-7pm M-Sat, 12-7pm Sun
• The Great Pumpkin Carnival - Oct 22, 3-6pm
• First Methodist of Katy- Oct now-31, 10am-6pm
• Oil Ranch- 1 free pumpkin with admission, Oct 1-31st
• Holy Cross Episcopal Church- Oct. 10 – Oct. 31, Sun-Fri 11am - 7pm, Sat 9am-7pm. Face painting, hayrides, music
• Scarecrow Festival & Feast- Oct 22, 12noon -6pm

If you just want a photo op without all the frills check out:

• Katy area stores- many stores like Walmart, HEB, Randalls, and Kroger have pumpkin displays that are great for quick photos

Other pumpkin patches are listed here by county.

Happy pumpkin hunting!

For my birthday every year I gather a group of friends and family and head to the Rennaisance Festival. I'm not sure if it's the costumes, the music, the shops, the food, or the shows but something about it draws me every year.

The Texas Renaissance Festival is the Nation’s largest, most acclaimed Renaissance theme park. Open to the public every Saturday, Sunday, and Thanksgiving Friday, October 8th through November 27th, and to students for School Days, Tuesday and Wednesday, November 1st and 2nd.

The enchanted 55 acre village comes to life as all of Europe comes to pay homage to the King and Queen with Eight Themed Weekends. Hundreds of costumed performers are showcased in over 200 daily performances. Visitors meander along shaded cobblestone walkways visiting over 340 shoppes overflowing with unique arts and crafts of offering delicious foods and beverages.

All ages will be amused by the games of skill and human-powered rides. Revel in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and beauty of this authentically recreated 16th Century British village with lush landscaped grounds and vines. A perfect day ends as behold the burst of Royal Fireworks held above the Festival’s lake.

• Buy Tickets
• Themed Weekends
• Directions
• Festival Map
• Hotels & Accommodations
• Camping
• Groups

This year I have several tickets for Sunday admission to give away to FreckleTown members. 4 tickets were given away on Monday via FaceBook and others will be given away there as well. If you are not a fan on FaceBook, head on over and "like" FreckleTown and watch for the upcoming give aways.

**UPDATE: As of 10/25/2011 all tickets have been given away. Other FaceBook giveaways will be coming but this one has passed. Congrats to all the winners!