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Sunday, November 07, 2010

Halloween in just better in the USA

This is me, beaming, because I am thoroughly enjoying a halloween in which the only thing I did to prepare was BUY my kids costumes. I didn't plan a party, or a dance, or have to decorate a cultural hall. I didn't have to make signs and posters and try to get people excited for a holiday they don't normally celebrate. And going against all my DNA, I successfully squelched the guilt and just simply bought Halloween costumes. I did no online research to find something adorable, I made no trips to the fabric store, I sewed not a single item, not put makeup or accessories on my kids. I'm sure in years to come I will go back to trying to be the super crafty mom. But this year I was too overwhelmed with everything else in life, so I just enjoyed laziness. Oh, and the fact that there are wonderful schools, churches, pumplin patches and everything to fill in so I didn't HAVE to do it!
Kallie the witch, beaming lazy mom, Lucia to bumblebee, Khloe as Pocahontas, Gabe the horse and Cade the American Indian. Oh yeah, bought that cute at bag as well.
Totally relaxed and enjoying Gabe's preschool fall festival. We had a great time.

Cade and Gabe enjoying the enormous inflatable slide.
Fun trunk-or-treating. Gabe was very excited and boldly walked up to the cars and pronouned "twick o tweat" and "tank u". He then had to eat what he was given before being able to proceed to the next car. Clearly didn't understand that efficiency would net him more in the end.
We figured if we all did the cake walk together, we would dramatically improve our odds of winning a store-bought baked good. What happened to the days when parents could actually make something that tasted good and bring it to a school?
Gabe the horse checking out the animals in the mini petting zoo.
baby Olive came with us, but her mom didn't love her enough to get her a costume. (just kidding Lindsay)
Everybody loves a bounce house. Not.
I had seriously had THE cutest little bumblebee ever.
Two cousins that adore each other. Cade spent most of the night making sure Gabe was correctly holding the reins of the horse. He does not tolerate improper handling of horses apparently.
Picture before we left the house, when Gabe hadn't succumbed the peer pressure yet and was still refusing to put on his costume. We're thankful for cousins to help show him the path of fun.
We also carved pumpkins at Nana's house.
Lucia just likes to be in the middle of everything.
Kallie and Birdie carving away.
We also made a trip to a local farm/pumpkin patch. There they decorated pumpkins with stickers. It's a good idea - they don't rot immediately like the carved pumpkins do.
I put stickers on, Lucia picked them off. It was a good system.
It's nice to have papa able to do fun daytime activities with us.