Halloween 2011

Halloween filled us up this year. We got good use out of our costumes, face-paint and trick-or-treat bags. Emily tried on every costume in the box and Adam caught onto the magic of candy right away. The boys are getting too cool to wear coordinating costumes and I am not cool enough to pull off the "over-all wearing train conductor" outfit much longer, but I'm glad we did it and I'm glad it's over.

Friday - Emily's preschool party. She dressed up as a cheerleader and smiled her way through the day. When I watch her from across the room, I wonder how she can be so happy about everything from pin-the-nose-on-the-pumpkin to the ring-toss. She is my joy....I should tell her more often.
That night we went to the "Spooky Hop" at school. It basically means I pay money for the kids to run around on the playground with their friends. Nobody danced the night away like they had done before, but it was good to get out and be with so many of our school friends.

Saturday - This year we were part of a costume parade at a retirement home down the street. Most of the residents are happy to see the kids and some even give out candy. Others mumble under their breath or sleep through it all, but I'm so glad for our kids to see how gentle we should be and kind to others. It's a good lesson and it doesn't hurt when the lesson comes with ice cream cones.
Of course we went to the "Trunk-or-Treat" at church. Ben really wanted to have a scary costume so we practiced with the white face-paint and spraying his hair black. He was determined to stay in "Dracula" character. There was very little smiling...he kept a serious glare all night.

Sunday - Before church we carved pumpkins and then after the Primary Program, our friends had a spooky dinner complete with Mr. Jones' Ribs, Bat Wings, Spider-web Cupcakes, Bird-drop Brownies, Mummy Hot Dogs, Frog Pond Punch, Eyeballs and Maggot Salad and a Beating Jello Heart. April is so creative and doesn't hesitate to go all out and make everything fun. (I want to be like that when I grow up.)

Monday - A school parade (we almost lost Adam), reading spooky stories in Ben's class and then trick-or-treating with the Taylors helped round out the holiday and make it complete.

Happy Halloween!