Halloween TwentyTen!

It's here! Halloween Day! Time for carving pumpkins, parading and trick-or-treat!

Let's start with the pumpkin carving shall we?

 

Gavin carefully watches Daddy cut the top off and scrape out the inside.  

After a few minutes of observations, he runs to find his little pumpkin he recieved at daycare, climbs up to the

table and grabs a pumpkin knife.

. 

I can do this guys!

Well, not quite. Let us help you get the top off, please. You may be able to stab the pumpkin, but let's not risk any injuries on this splendid day.

Scooping out the insides.

Tim said they were much slimier than a regular pumpkin. Ick!

 

Ta-Da!!

 

After pumpkin carving, we ate a quick-lunch and headed to Rossford for the BIG HALLOWEEN PARADE! (I'm going to do a separate post full of pictures for this one...there are so many!) We had a great time there, with firetrucks, Halloween floats,  dancers, the marching band, gymnasts, and GRANDMA too...oh so much fun! Did I mention candy? Why on earth any of these kids need to trick or treat after this parade is baffling!

Ok, so the parade is over and a much-needed nap is next. Only to wake up and immediately get back in costume for trick or treat. Yay! I had a busy little boy today. This is his first "real" trick or treat. I'm so excited! Gavin, however, is smarter than me when it comes to filling up his bucket. Instead of walking with daddy towards the neighbors, he walks over to our bowl full of candy to pass out and starts filling his own bucket. Nice.

Finally, on his way next door. "Bye by Mimi," he says.

He's back. He went to FIVE houses. That's plenty for a little scarecrow, but boy did he make out like a bandit. He had a full bucket (thanks neighbors), play-doh, crayons, pretzels, and even a new truck (belated

birthday present from next door.)

Let's see all your stuff, Bubba! Wow!

How about you pick something out and we put the rest away for later? Maybe? Please. Oh good, you chose

a sucker.

Now let's go in and eat mommy's feeble attempt at a non-candy Halloween snack before bedtime.

 

I did say feeble. They are mummies if you can't tell....hahaha. A mummy wrapped hot dog, and if the cheese didn't melt so much, you would have notice the "strips" on the pizza bagel.

I should have read the disclaimer.

Saturday evening we headed to Grand Rapids to attend the parade. I was excited to dress Gavin up and watch the vehicles head down Main Street. A friend of mine had filled me on this event as she was also going to attend. In her defense, she texted me Saturday afternoon, to say "I've learned they aren't getting the fire trucks out this year...and I've never been to this, so not sure what to expect." A parade with no fire trucks?? This should have thrown up a much bigger red flag.

After eating dinner, we rushed to Grand Rapids to join the festivity.....or what we quickly learned, lack there of....

This is Main Street at 7pm.

 Where's the parade? We arrived in time to see police cars blocking off traffic and TONS of kids in costumes lining up to start walking. But that was it. We jumped in and started marching with the rest anyway, all 200 yards to the fire station. This is where it ended. In actuality, this was a simple costume parade for kids to be judged in front of the fire house. Hmmm, not exactly something I would have rushed 25 minutes away from home to do, but Gavin looked awfully cute, and we were already here, so we participated.

 

Gavin looks pretty interested in seeing all the commotion up ahead, doesn't he? We had to wait a few minutes until they called his "category." They had 2 categories for the 3 and under bracket: scariest and cutest costume. I should have taken him up for the scariest..."scare" crow?? No?

Only two tots were parading for that group. Now cutest costume....there were several! We jumped in the circle and paraded around a few times. I thought for sure he had a chance. Just look at him, he's A-DOR-A-BLE! I think it was rigged. First place went to a dalmatian. Ironic that a dalmatian (bag purchased, no doubt) would win first in front of a fire house, isn't it? I'm very happy to say that my friend's son came in 3rd. He was the cutest little fireman, complete with a personalized Chief Jacket and a wagon turned fire truck WITH a working red light! Now that is a cool costume. That took time and creativity. What I feel should be a

major factor in the judgement decision.

 

Pretty cute, don't you agree!

Her darling daughter came in second for the youngest person in costume at 10 months old. The youngest was

3 months.

   

What a cute kitty! 

And a snuggly one this evening as well :)

So while the evening wasn't even close to what I had anticipated, I was able to talk with a great old friend and give Gavin an extra night parading around in his costume. He had a sucker...his night was fantastic! 

Not to mention, it was a BLUE sucker...even more the merrier!

While it's not an event I would keep in the books for next year, it sure beat sitting at home!

Monday Miscellany

At this particular moment in time I have a perfectly whelming (not over- or under-) feeling of contentment.

It could be that the weather has changed seasons. I love sweatshirt weather.

...Or, it could be the smile on Gavin's face as he dives into the leaves outside.

...Or, it could be that Tim was home all weekend and that by itself made me smile.

...Or, it could be Tim was home and the dogs were his "business." At least for a couple of days....

...Or, it could be that I made my FINAL car payment last week and it's now all mine.

...Or, it could be leftover excitement of Halloween!! Pumpkins, parades, candy, costumes...I loved it all!

...Or, it could be that I have empty laundry baskets, an empty sink, and an empty trash.

...Or, it could be that I'm feeling much more comfortable at my job and meeting many new people.

...Or, perhaps it is because my interview this morning is complete. I had become very anxious.

...Or, maybe I'm so contented because today is one of those days when I realize just how blessed I am.

The Ghosts from Halloween Past

Ahhh, the sweet memories of my favorite time of year! I absolutely LOVE Halloween. I like carving pumpkins, dressing up, getting the jeans and sweatshirts out, sipping cider with friends (and occasionally adding some "spice" to it), parades... Oh, I could probably go on and on, but lets take a little stroll down the last 5 years instead.

Here we are in 2005. Brickhouse/Bricklayer. This is also the last time I ever purchased a costume in a bag.
 
 I have learned that making our own is much MUCH more fun and they turn out so much better.

2006. The only picture I could find of us. Funny how I was the one excited, yet Tim is the one that looks it.

 Oh, the irony

2007 I went easy peasy lemon squeezy and made some fun shirts. I was able to snag some matching ski caps at Target or Walmart and was calling it a holiday.

But Nooo.....

 .....the bar at the end of our street was bought out by some new owners and they were going to have a costume contest! The potato heads, while very comfy, had no chance at a prize...so I brainstormed. And Wah-la...Peter and Pumpkin were created! A little risqué, perhaps, but I wanted to WIN!

 Yep, we had fun with this costume that night. And waaaait for it.....we came in SECOND! What?! We lost to a pregnant nun. That was purchased in a bag. So disappointed. Then again, it was the nuns birthday. I'm not a sore loser.

 After a costume like that, is there a shock to see this little pumpkin the next year :)

Halloween's will never be the same again. Nevermind the couples costumes. I get to do a whole dang family theme now!! (ok...busted...I got these THING 1 and THING 2 costumes on Ebay. That no doubt were

 originally in a bag.)

Yes, Gavin, be afraid....very, very afraid.

Ok, so the family theme idea last one year. One time. That's it. I'm sure that it has nothing to do with the fact that I turned the family picture above into our Christmas cards that year. Admit it, you love it. Tim does too. On the inside.

 2009. Chicken Little

  It may not be homemade, but it didn't come in a bag either.

2010 coming soon :)

Wordless Wednesday-feeding and dressing

Which did you notice first?Feeding his bear? Or his awesome self-picked outfit?

Monday Miscellany

1) Gavin has learned much better how things work around here, including the diaper pail. You put the diaper in, flip the handle and the diaper is gone. Wah-la! It's magic! It's also been learned you can put in your bears pants, flip the handle, and Wah-La--the pants are gone! I NEVER would have found them had I not noticed him playing with it, while a very important bear was laying extremely close to him without pants on.

2) Bathtime is different everyday. We get one in almost everyday, except for the nights we don't get home until after 8. Once, maybe twice a week. I'm ok with this. This particular night, he wasn't interested so much in the bath, he usually is, and after a quick
"wash" he jumped out and took off into the living room. We shall call this my way of air-drying my son. It's easier than a fight to dry off. Anyway, I thought it would be easier to grab a diaper and his jammies and dress him in the living room. But somehow in the minute to two minutes it took me to grab his stuff and get to the living room he was already back towards the kitchen to greet me. He grabbed my hand and led me to a spot near the couch and pointed and said, "I pee pee." Yes, G, you sure did.  *sigh* Fortunately, I had some Resolve Pet Stain cleaner in the house. Let's try the potty next time.

Wordless Wednesday-turkey

 

Not your everyday petting zoo.