Halloween Prep

Since Halloween is a'coming, we thought it best to get in some practice with the "wear costumes and accumulate candy" process. Over the weekend, we hit FOUR different Halloween related events.

First up, we went to our favorite gourmet grocery store to 'trick-or-treat' thru the departments. Despite some worries at the beginning, since the coffee counter had not been clued in to this store-wide activity, we all had a very good time sampling yummy treats and showing off cute costumes.

Checking out the options at the deli counter. He let them pick whatever they wanted. What did they choose?....

They picked banana pudding! And we ALL got our own little sample. Yum!

happy samplers

Second, our neighborhood hosted a little Halloween festival with some trunk-or-treating and a few other activities. Hayden didn't want to try the 'bobbing for donuts' but I think that activity might make an appearance at our next kid birthday party. Not too much excitement at this local celebration, but we did learn a new parenting trick. If you tell the children that we will take away a piece of candy every time they whine, there is a lot less whining! Yay!

not very good pics of this, but here they are dancing on the lawn to Monster Mash

Third, we went to the Harvest Festival at our church. Again there was trunk-or-treating, as well as a cake walk, snacks, games, bounce house and balloon sculptures. We learned that Hayden has quite the throwing arm, that Eliza can easily put away a whole hotdog even when she doesn't want one and she has already eaten a cupcake, that gnome costumes on toddlers are ADORABLE, and that Molly truly is a climbing monkey. Fun!

trunk-or-treat!

picking a prize after the beanbag toss game. (who's that  handsome pumpkin to the left?!)

It's so hard to choose a cupcake after winning the cake walk!

Who put this crown on me? I am NOT a princess monkey.

Yay climbing! Best part of the festival! Thanks for monitoring me, Popop!

Pumpkins drying before heading home. Notice the fancy pipe cleaner work by Daddy.

 Our fourth Halloween adventure was to Eastgate where they were having various activities. I did not go, because I had bookclub, but Jason, Grandma and Popop took the girls.  They got free ice cream at TCBY for being in costume, trick-or-treated at various stores, and listened to some bluegrass. Hayden went on a wagon ride, but Eliza did not. However, later Eliza asked if she could go on a pony ride (which they also had) next time. I said sure, next year, no problem. Then E asked, can I ride a unicorn at the pony ride? I think for a sec and say sure, you may ride on a unicorn if there is one. She thinks briefly and responds, if there isn't a unicorn, then I'll ride a horse. Always good to have big dreams and plan B!


So from these preliminary photos, can you tell what the kids are going to be for Halloween? Hayden is definitely going as a ballerina. Eliza will be a last minute decision since she has dressed up as a pink princess, Minnie Mouse (but refused ears), a ballerina princess, and a blue princess. Molly is also somewhat undecided. Her dog hat and pumpkin hat are mighty cute. Then there's the ever popular bean face (she devoured black beans at home as much as at Bandidos).

 But I think she'll end up as a sock monkey!

Happy Halloween!