Halloween Night

I should be packing instead of blogging, but I know if I dont do it now I wont be able to get to it for awhile and it is always weird to see Halloween stuff in November - so I will make it quick!

 These are not amazing looking, but I think it will be our go-to Halloween dinner until somebody ends up with another opinion. I think the Mummies are cute!

 We tried one last time for photos together...

 The wand was first steal of the night as Jamie says

 I should have waited to bring it out...

 Elise seems pretty happy though!

 They both loved their costumes and I cant thank my mom enough for sewing them! They adored them and so did I!

 Our happy little Fairy Godmother! Happy First Halloween baby!

We went to about 6 houses and Hadley quietly told them Trick or Treat and then would give them a big Thank You! It was actually nice to meet a few of our neighbors and now we are just handing out the rest of the lollipops before the night is over. Both girls went to bed happy, Halloween lived up to all of our hopes and dreams!

Pumpkin "Carving"

Last year we decided to use a sharpie to "carve" our pumpkins, it was done out of desperation, but it worked so well with a toddler we decided to do it again! It is fast, easy and they feel like they helped and as an added bonus it isnt smelly and slimy! When they show an interest in cutting into a gourd, I will happily change but for now this is perfect!

Love her little tongue sticking out in concentration

 She was particular about how Jamie did it

 So interested!

 And so proud!

 Elise's Turn!

 She just wanted to hold it

 But Jamie was able to add a quick little face and she approved

 That is why she wanted it! I told you she puts everything in her mouth!!

 All done, and in about 10 minutes with everyone smiling - it is a holiday success!

A Candy Tradition

I decided when I had Hadley that Halloween would be the perfect time to let my children have their first glorious taste of sugar and this year it was Elise's turn! (see Hadley's here) Heaven help me if I have a babe in September, but it has worked out since Hadley was about 8 mos and Elise is now almost 11 mos! Jamie picked a strawberry Dum Dum and we waited to see what she thought -

She loved it from the second it touched her mouth! She kept using her little hands to hold it as I would pull it out and would chase it around with an open mouth. She ended up as a sticky and happy mess and was sad when I took it away after only a few licks, she would have totally finished it if it was left up to her! Happy Halloween Lovebug!!

Peek A Boo

 Where is Hadley??

 Peek a Boo!!

I see you!!

Joan's Pumpkin Farm

Last week we headed over to Livermore to check out the pumpkin farms and meet up with my cousins and their kids (what are they? 2nd cousins?). We had a great time, and 2 farms a season seemed to be exactly the perfect number for this age.

 We started the day off right at Stan's Donuts with a Halloween Sprinkled donut, Hadley approved.

  When we got the farm we headed straight to the ponies, she smiled like this the entire time. I would not be surprised if she started asking her daddy for a pony any day now.

 We fed the cranky goats

 Attempted a group shot... (and realized that isnt the most flattering shirt I own). 

 We took a hay ride and then Hadley ran around the fields and through the little "haunted" maze.

 Elise just hung out in the sun with us, she loved watching the action around her!

 We tried for a cute kid in the pumpkins shot - we have pumpkins, we have cute kids, we even have matching shirts...but not looking in the same direction!

 They finally looked in the same direction, at the same time....to a bug/leaf in Elise's hand.

 Elise was fascinated by the pumpkins

Family shot - we are blinded by the sun, still not all looking in the same direction but we get so few of us all together we will take what we can get!!

I realized last night that we had been to the pumpkin farms, talked about pumpkins, read about pumpkins, yet we have no pumpkins! We will have to run out and pick one up today! 

Hadley vs The Pumpkin

Good effort, maybe next year sweetheart!

LSW Halloween Party

We attended our church Halloween Party and had a blast! It started at 4 and had lots of games and activities and then ended with a trunk or treat at 6:30. Hadley loved every minute, and I did too! 

 We ended up doing a family theme - Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother and the Ugly Stepsister (I took one for the team). 

Cinderella with her Prince Charming all ready to go!

Trying to get the Fairy Godmother to join

This is a better look at her skirt even if nobody is looking!

Our first stop was the "Princess Dancing Room", they taught her a few simple motions and then just let them dance to a princess song.

Waltzing

Twirling, it was the biggest hit of the night!!

Elise was a bit in awe of it all at the beginning, she rarely sits still and I love her captivated expression!

We played some pumpkin bowling then headed over to face painting where she requested a few stars and sat perfectly still.

And then to the craft room, she made this little foam pumpkin and spent a good chunk of time at the water color table, she LOVED it. I was worried she might get it on her dress but she was so careful.

 Elise and I hung out while we waited for them to finish.

 We then headed out for the trick or treating, she would only say it softly but definitely figured out how to get the candy in her bag! And she would not let go of it, she got to eat two pieces that night and mean mom wouldnt let her take it to bed. I was convinced she would be begging for it this morning but she has wanted some of the lollipop stash that I have to hand out but hasnt asked for her bag. Looks like I have another year to figure out a strategy. My mom tried everything - paying for the candy (no dice, the point of earning money was to buy candy!!), letting us eat as much in a 24 hr period (I pretty much ate it all) and doling out 2 a day (I just begged for it ALL the time) so I am not sure what we will try but hopefully she is not as big a candy freak as I was!

 Elise even got in on the action! Although I think she just wanted to crinkle the wrappers.

It was perfect timing because I actually fly out to Texas (alone with 2 kids) on the 1st and so we will do a low key Halloween so that they aren't over excited or tired. I know it was a lot of work for people to put on the party, we really appreciated it and enjoyed every minute!