Halloween 2011

Introducing...

I had waaaay too much fun with their costumes this year. The cutest Little Red and Wolf I've ever seen (he's not really that big and bad at heart). It's pretty cute (and a little sad) that Aspen looks out from her cape - looking around for her brother - and says "I scared. I scared of Big Bad Wolf". We've got to get that on video before they head out trick or treating.

I took them to the Washington Park Arboretum one afternoon and just let them run around in their costumes...and they ended up telling their own little story. We did lose one of Little Red's cookies from her basket during all of the running around and I certainly rewarded them with a visit to the tot lot playground when I was done chasing after them - they are good sports to go along with their silly Mama's schenanigans!

Sawyer's costume was easy - I bought the hat last winter on sale and then just made his paws and tail out of some fleece. Aspen's outfit took a lot more work - I actually made her dress last summer one warm night when I was bored. It was my first attempt at a dress besides the bitty one I made for her when she was teency weency.  A few weeks ago, I found a vintage pattern on ebay and made the cape to top it off.  

I am not sure I can keep up these themes for too many more years - inevitably she'll want to be a princess and he'll want to be a superhero one day. And honestly, it is a lot of work! But it is something I have really enjoyed doing for the past couple of years, and I think to reward all of our efforts I may even create a little picture book for them with themselves as their characters - something fun to always remember. 

My favorite Little Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Wolf EVER!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Jack O Lanterns

Over the weekend, we cleaned out pumpkin "guts" and went to a little Halloween Party put on by some friends (enchiladas to die for! and The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - lots o' fun!). The kids were excited about carving pumpkins, but weren't really that excited about sticking their hands inside to pull out the "guts". I guess not everyone likes the feel of cold, ooey, gooey, pumpkin guts?

We extended the fun by actually carving their faces on Monday night for our family night. We have made it a tradition to light our 'lanterns and eat a treat by candlelight. It's fun for everyone, and this guy was really excited about it ;)

Due to carving quickly so the kids wouldn't go to bed too late, Jacob didn't have time to be as elaborate as he likes - but he still did better than me - I always do the same, classic kind of pumpkin face. It makes me happy :) We have the preschool party tomorrow and our church party and "trunk or treat" to look forward to this weekend. I feel like this year Halloween is really drawn out - lots of fun times to wear costumes and eat some candy corn. 

Sawyer is extra excited, though, for the BIG night. You know - Trick or Treating! I love that we have established so many little traditions for our little family - and one favorite is going to Auntie Lynn's house on Halloween - (Auntie Lynn is my dear friend - I was the nanny for her children for many years, and now our youngest are friends - Sawyer and her youngest daughter are 17 months apart). 

Hooray for Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch

Over the weekend we visited a Pumpkin Farm with some friends. The weather was absolutely gorgeous - warm and sunny.

Teamwork!

Sawyer found this old tractor to "drive" - he was in heaven!

...and proof that I was there, too! This wasn't the farm we usually go to, but it was fun to visit a new farm. It was a beautiful afternoon, we had fun with friends, and picked out two big and funky pumpkins we will carve next weekend!

Gotta love the pumpkin patch!