Dia De Los Muertos: Bedazzled. Bejewled. Behold.

Austin's 2nd birthday is next week on Monday, November 2.

This particular day happens to be a big deal in our house every year and not just because of Austin. On November 2nd we celebrate Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead or All Souls Day), which really is a celebration of Life. And celebrate we do!  We celebrate our loved ones who have passed.

Dia De Los Muertos is a rich Mexican cultural tradition that dates back to the time of the Aztecs. This tradition has been kept alive in our family by my mom. She not only makes the grandkids their traditional Halloween costumes, but in her spare time she decorates her home (and other businesses) for Dia De Los Muertos with altars and in her words, "some fancy, schmancy" skeletons, aka Muertos.

Sometimes she gets really into it an dresses them up as characters: a Mariachi, a Dancer, a Chef, or a pair of Newlyweds. These skeletons are far from creepy & crawly and run more along the lines of fun & festive.


This week she has been working on her latest creation, in which this:




Becomes This:






This particular Muerto is a work in progress and I am not sure of his/her final career choice just yet. I just know this is how we roll here.

While this is something my mom enjoys doing, it is easily something that kids can do with some crayons, markers, finger paints or even glitter and glue if you keep some baby wipes handy.

We will unveil this Muerto's final look this weekend for Austin's Halloween themed birthday party along with some other fun stuff.


What sort of cultural or holiday traditions does your family have?


Thanks for peeking,