This is Halloween!

 The kids have really gotten into “The Nightmare Before Christmas” this year. I’ve caught them singing the theme song on multiple occasions…

Pumpkin carving

I usually carve some extravagant pumpkins but I just ran out of time this year.  The kids still have fun though and that's what counts.  They scooped out their pumpkin guts and Joseph and Scarlet picked out a pattern for me to carve.  I did get those done.  Evelyn wanted a very elaborate one, and since I ran out of time I told her this may be the year she can learn to carve her own.  Yes, we gave her sharp objects...and what a great job she did!  She was so proud and it was rewarding for her to make her very own.  I'm so proud!  Lorelai has carved pumpkins the last two years, just simple faces.  So naturally (being her mother's daughter) she decided to take on a "veteran" level pumpkin pattern.  Amazing!

he loves his race car pumpkin

She can't believe I'm letting her cut it all by herself

Joseph's Lightning McQueen racecar pumpkin

Scarlet wanted a kitty cat pumpkin... but not a scary or spooky one... a nice one

Evelyn's very first jack-o-lantern

Lorelai's dragon!  She worked so hard

Cookies with Joseph

Joseph goes to school Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays so when he’s home with me I try to carve out some one-on-one time with him. Today, he’s making Halloween cookies for his sisters. He’s concentrating so hard! Video in the web version…

Video below in the web version...

Eerie events…

 I’ve picked up the kids from school and making dinner.  This is usually the time when the children are bouncing off the walls and decompressing from a day of learning.  Not so today.  Look at the quiet, the easy way they’re playing together, and supporting one another.  What is happening?

Video below in the web version..

Halloween Hoopla!

Every year our HOA community holds a Halloween Hoopla to celebrate the holiday.  We can't trick-or-treat in our community because the houses are too far apart.  The adults love to see the kids all dressed up.  There's a trick-or-treat trail through the meadow, a massive scavenger hunt, a hay ride, pumpkin painting, and food and drink!  I was one of the organizers this year so I helped with the prep work.  The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time!

This was the Dai Family trick-or-treat station.  We used out beach pop-up tent and covered it with spider webs.  The candy sat inside.  

I made this graveyard as one of the scavenger hunt stations.  I made all the tall tombstones and gave them funny sayings.  They included: 

"Here lies an Atheist.  All dressed up and no where to go"

"Bubba Redneck.  His last words were 'Hey Y'all! Watch this!'"

"For Rent: Very small one bedroom.  Neighbors are dead quiet"

"Lisa Fibber. 'See?! I told you I was sick!'"

"H. Dumpty.  'I was pushed!'"

"Claire Voyant.  She never saw it coming."

Joseph is my little Ninja.  He says "you don't know who I am because ninjas are secret."

A very traditional witch

Scarlet picked Rapunzel strictly for the wig.  This girl likes her accessories.  And I am going as Mother Gothel (Rapunzel's evil mother)

on the trick-or-treat trail

It's a beautiful place to trick-or-treat

Look at that hair!

Lorelai is a knight on an inflatable dragon.  This costume (I warned her) was a bit cumbersome, but still super cool!

Running through the scavenger hunt

Downtown Balloon Glow

The hot air balloons have come to town!  The kids got to climb inside, ask questions about the balloons, and even work some of the levers to make the flame erupt!  We watched them all get blown up and they glowed as the sun went down.  Very fun family night.

videos below in the web version

Touch-a-Truck

The Public Library hosted a "Touch-a-Truck" event and we knew it'd be right up Joseph's alley.  The kids were able to climb in cars, trolleys, motorcycles, etc.  They pushed buttons, turned on sirens, and even got arrested by a couple of friendly police officers.  Such a fun, free event!

driving the trolley

It's a great day when you can cart your sister off to jail!

It seems Evelyn has made some poor life decisions

The kids convinced the police to arrest their Daddy

I am not bailing these trouble makers out...

Scarlet was shy...as usual... but she colored a special picture for the police

video below in the web version