Happy Halloween

I have always loved our neighborhood, but Halloween makes me appreciate it even more.  We have a cookout each year down at the neighborhood park, then a hayride, and then loads of trick or treating fun.  Several houses along the way even have treats waiting for the adults.

Our Minnie Mouse and Pumpkin FairyLily and ThomasParker and Sarah Ellen  Setting off to the park.   Cohen pulled Lily and Ryan almost the whole way.  AbigailMargaret Anne Olivia Love Molly in her CLEMSON orange.   Lily and Porter   Sarah Ellen sat here for almost an hour eating with Doncie.All that eating just wore her out.    Here we go! Snookie, Poppy, and Doncie held down the fort for us while we took the girls down the street.   For the first few houses, Sarah Ellen would take candy out of her bucket and try to give it the people handing out candy.  It didn’t take too long, though and she figured it out. Lily and Thomas didn’t need any time to figure things out.  They were off. Lily with Mrs. Barbara.  Barbara is our music director at church.  She and Lily have always had a special little bond.  Lily looks just like Mrs. Barbara’s baby girl did at her age.  Her baby girl is now a freshmen in college.Checking out the loot. I’m not sure if Lily, Ryan, and Cohen had more fun getting candy or passing out candy.  They would run down to the trick-or-treaters giving them candy before they even had a chance to get up the steps.  Our candy started to get low so I told Lily we were almost done.  She ran inside and grabbed her candy bucket and started filling the candy for the trick-or-treaters.  I love her generous spirit.

I loved Halloween as a kid, but love it even more seeing it through the eyes of my children.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins

The girls had fun digging out some pumpkin goo, as long as they had utensils that is.     I got a seed Daddy.  Anybody in there… Then their friends arrived and the pumpkins were left to the adults.   Cameron free handed designs on each of our pumpkins and we began carving. Mr. Chris promised not to sue us after falling through our deck.  Yikes.      Check out these cuties. Time to show off our handy work.    Mr. Jason recued Sarah Ellen after she decided the pumpkins were too “loud.”But OH NO, his shirt is so much scarier!!!!
There is nothing better than a last minute gathering with ones you love.

Impromptu Pumpkin Party

“What are you all doing this afternoon.”

“We thought about grilling out and carving pumpkins.”

“That’s what we were thinking.”

Next thing you know, we are having a party.  I love an impromptu get together.  They make for great meals, much needed stress relief, and lot of laughs.  The Clums, the Cranes, and the Smiths joined us for the creation of some amazing pumpkins and consumption of some delicious burgers.  This last minute party (you know me) might just become a tradition.  How else would we ever create such amazing pumpkins without our talented Cameron?

Stay tuned for more pictures.  I only have 102 to sort through.

Tea Party

I’m not sure what came over me, but I decided to have a few of Lily’s girlfriends over for a tea party after school.  I’m really not sure what I was thinking doing this on Let’s Pretend Day.  I’m very surprised that Lily ever fell asleep last night with the anticipation of the day to come.  She and her friends had a great time and I had a blast listening to their little conversations.   Our house was full of squeals and giggles.

  

Quotes from the afternoon:

“This tea party is divine.”

“My boyfriend is Bennet.”  “My boyfriend is Lily.”  “My boyfriend is Dr. Oz.”

“Wow these pumpkins are awesome.”

“Can you please pass the sugar my darling?”

Let’s Pretend Day

Today was let’s pretend day at the girl’s school.  They got to dress up in their Halloween costumes, march in a parade around the school, and feast on goodies in their classrooms.
Excited parents waiting on their cuties. Here comes Sarah Ellen’s class.  Minnie Mouse was so excited to see us that she began shaking all over.   She broke ranks for a quick hug and then continued on her way. And here comes our middles.  Margaret Anne, Porter and Lily.   Lily wanted to be a pumpkin for Halloween, but then was drawn to everything princess and fairy.  So we found the perfect thing: a fairy pumpkin.Lily’s classroom party.  Sarah Ellen’s classroom party.   I gave Sarah Ellen a quick kiss goodbye and as I got to the door, she said, “I love you Mommy.”  She melted my heart.