Trick or Treat Time!

 Halloween is finally here! The kids put on their costumes once more.

 Off we went! We headed downhill with the stroller and starting visiting houses.  Our neighbors are all sooo nice.  They gave out so much candy since our neighborhood is quite a hike to tromp around door to door. But the kiddos were troopers!

 Well actually I was worried. This was Charlotte after the first house.  Out of nowhere she says, "I just don't know about this" with that look on her face.  I rolled down the hill laughing.  RDHL.  I like that.  Better than ROFL.  Ha!

 But seriously the kids were totally amazing.  After every single house, Charlotte would turn to us and say, "I GOT MORE CANDY!!!" It was a surprise every time.  What a joy.  And Tommy was so polite.  Remembered to say 'thank you' and 'Happy Halloween!' Loved it.  We had so much fun.

 They brought home quite a haul. Look at all that candy.  Because our neighborhood is so spread out, we only visited less than 20 houses.  One house was one we didn't even know existed! There was another road that led out of one of the cul de sacs in the neighborhood and it went up another hill to 4 more castle sized houses.  Crazy! The one house we visited in the secret side neighborhood gave out an entire bag of candy.  Sweet!!

 We normally like to hand out candy to trick or treaters because we don't usually get that many.  But the kids wanted to get the full trick or treating experience so I just filled a bucket and put a sign on it.  There was actually candy left in the bucket when we got back!! I couldn't believe it!!

 Andrew was nice enough to take a picture of us after coming home.  Sidenote: that Frankenstein mask was a dollar.  Best costume ever! What a wonderful Halloween.  My favorite holiday is now complete so we can officially start listening to Christmas music now.  Although Christmas books are never out of season at our house. 
Happy Halloween!

Boo at the Zoo 2016

It's Boo at the Zoo time!!

 The kids were ready to don their costumes at the zoo and take part in all the fun activities. 

 We met up with Tommy's buddy Cooper and his brother Conner for some Halloween fun.

 We also met up with Charlotte's bestie Lakynn and her family too.

 The kids had a blast.  It was mass chaos.  Lots of screaming, running, dancing, and everything else.

The kids are obsessed with this tractor.  It's a good thing that it's tough because they try to destroy it. 

 Smiling jumping action shot!

 Once the darkness settled in and the sugar kicked in on high, we decided to pick our pumpkins and get the heck out of there.

 The kids said their goodbyes.  There were some tears but all in all it was a really fun night!

Plus we got this great family picture out of the deal.  Tommy was in serious mode for this pic.  Charlotte's one antenna somehow got a little wonky.  Whoops! But that's what makes this picture so awesome. Can't wait to add it to the collection. :-)

2015 (but it only sort of counts since it was Cowtober and not Boo at the Zoo)

2014

2013

2012

Halloween at School 2016

Soooo I guess I'll have to get used to school rules but Tommy's class didn't dress up for their fall party this year.  Instead their teacher had them decorate masks to wear. 

Tommy decided he wanted to be a bat for Halloween this year so he wanted his mask to be a bat mask too.  I mentioned some ideas on how to make a bat mask (like tracing the Batman mask he owns).  He took it and ran with it.  This was his prototype.   He vehemently refused to let me help him.  He traced the mask and started cutting.  He accidentally cut the bottom part off so I had him start again.

This was his final product.  His teacher sent him a white masquerade mask to decorate so he cut out the black paper, cut out eyes, then put the white mask on top of it and colored it black. Then he used some super hero fire/blast/boom stickers to add some fun.  He then glued two triangles on the bottom of each side of his mask so it would look like his batman mask.  I think he did a great job. I was so proud that he did it ALL by himself. 

You can see the whole class in their masks here.  You KNOW there was a lot of parent help on some of these (I'm looking at you, perfectly crafted unicorn).  Not Tommy though! He does his own stunts. ;-) 

 They had a little fashion show with their masks.  Tommy certainly likes to put on a show.

 Here's another picture of Tommy's class with Tommy acting appropriately. :)

Here's another class pic.  They are too cute.

HOWEVER.... Charlotte's class DID dress up for Halloween.  Yay!! She finally got to be a butterfly! 

 Her class had a fashion show too!

As is expected, Charlotte got a picture with her bestie, Lakynn.  Adorable as usual.  But I'm not sure what is going on in the background there.  Someone is not having it!

 Class picture time! Not sure what Charlotte is doing with her cheeks there. Hmm...

 Back to Tommy's class... they made a pumpkin throw up!! 

I asked Tommy how they did it.  He said they took vinegar, baking soda, soap, and glitter (hehe) and mixed it in a jack o' lantern. Awesome! The kids obviously loved it.  Pretty sure this picture is stage but it's awesome nonetheless. 

The kids had a great school Halloween once again!

Halloween Trick Or Treat 2015

 I almost thought we were going to have to get two Captain America costumes for Halloween!

 But alas, no, she still wanted to be 'Rora when the time came. 

 The kids were SO ready.  They LOVE candy so all they wanted to do all day was to go trick or treating.  Look at little Miss Charlotte with her huge ball gown stuffed into her pumpkin carriage stroller.  Too cute.  Also, notice the crowns from her party came in handy tonight.  She actually wore it! She rarely will wear anything on her head.  But the crown was okay tonight for some reason.

 Tommy walked almost the entire time (until it started raining).  He loved going up and ringing the doorbell.  He would ask at every single house, "Does this house have a dog?"  Still terrified of dogs, they both are.  Charlotte pet one dog tonight but Tommy wanted nothing to do with any of the dogs.  Poor kiddo.  But every house, even with a dog, was so worth it to get that candy.

At one house, as the lady opened the door, I said, "What do you say?" meaning say trick or treat.  Tommy goes, "I like your house."  She said, "Well, you'll be getting a lot of candy tonight."  Haha!

Also, one more side story, Tommy really got into character.  He was talking about how he defeated red skull in World War II.  "That was a great battle, right?" Um, yeah, that was one BIG battle, Tommy. 

 Speaking of fears, Charlotte's greatest fear in her life right now is these two cats.  There is a house in our neighborhood that has these two inflatable cats in their yard.  Every time we drive by them, even during the day, Charlotte freaks out.  She screams and covered her eyes.  "I don't yike it! NO! No kiddy kats! NO!"  Poor baby! So of course we took her there to trick or treat.  But she did great.  Didn't even see them due to being on the other side in the stroller.  Phew!

 We made it to so many houses.  We only went to about 5 houses last year.  This year it was probably over 10.  They did so great, even in the rain.  What troopers! They got so much candy.  It was crazy.  It was about 85% chocolate.  Not good news for Tommy but good news for Tommy's teeth.  We will just have to hide the rest.  Or eat it.  Darn.

 After they had two pieces of candy, it was meltdown time.


Or dance time! They can feel the sugar pulsing through their veins!! Party time!!

It was an awesome Halloween.  The kids did so great. Plus they got loads of candy.  Halloween is the best! :)

School Halloween Party 2015

 I have never been to a school Halloween party. Usually the teachers send pictures.  It works out better for the kids (especially mine) to not have mom or dad show up because they want to leave with mom/dad and they lose it.  But not this year! I have two big kids now.  They did great!

 I got there just in time for Tommy's class picture.  He was so excited to have me there. 

 Then Charlotte's room started their parade so I headed over to see them.  Charlotte didn't see me watching for a long time.  Also, can you see her sleeves? Her teacher didn't quite get her arms in her sleeves.  Oh well, it's a hard dress to put on! So fancy! ;-)

 I fixed her sleeves while her class got their treat bags out of their cubbies.  How was she the only princess in her class? She wanted to be Aurora badly.  There was no convincing her otherwise.  I made her an octopus costume and she wasn't having it.  Not when she can be "Rora"!

 I sat the teeny tiny table with Charlotte while they waited to Trick or Treat.  Charlotte started to lose it when I started to leave to see Tommy (case in point from why I haven't been to a party yet) but I snuck her some candy and she was instantly fine.  Candy solves all Charlotte's problems right now. 

 I went back over and sat with Tommy while she trick or treated around the school. 

Here comes Charlotte with her buddy Sloanie (you know her from Tommy's buddy Owen, it's his little sis).  She did great! She had a job to do.  Collect more CANDY!! She is obsessed.

 Then it was Tommy's turn to Trick or Treat. 

 When Tommy trick or treated in Charlotte's class, I made him stay for a second so I could get a picture with the two of them.  Charlotte had a mini snickers in her mouth.  Ha! CAAAANNNDDDYYY!! :)

 She's still chewing!

 I went BACK over to Tommy's class.  They were having a piece of candy.  They are adorable. 

 They have 12 in their class.  Preschool teachers are so amazing. I wish I knew their secrets.  Tommy's teacher is especially awesome.  Those kids love what they are doing and it's all because of her!

 This is my favorite picture from the day.  Look at that kid.  Is he not the cutest boy you've ever seen?