Halloween

We had a great Halloween. The kids got to wear their costumes at least twice: once at our ward's Trunk or Treat, and once a few days later on Halloween night. Lucky Ashley got to wear her costume to preschool one day as well. I tell you what, it was a little difficult keeping all the pieces together for all four costumes for multiple events. But we managed somehow! 

 

We began the evening with mini pumpkin shaped pizzas. The kids didn't eat more than a few bites because they were too excited to get out and trick-or-treat.

 

 

 

Easiest Halloween costumes ever! 90% of this was borrowed. But they all looked pretty cute. Ashley and I had fun hot gluing flowers all around the top of her hat, and Everett had fun designing his shield with me. And that was about all the fun I was ready for this year.

William was not too keen on wearing a costume, but I persuaded him with the promise of candy. He held firm in his belief that he was not wearing a costume. On our way to trick-or-treat with friends, we saw some kids on our street. I commented on how cute they looked and told William that he has a nice costume, too.

"NO. This not a costume," he corrected, shaking his head. "Jayleigh (a friend of his we saw) is wearing a costume. I not wearing a costume."

He could not be swayed for the rest of the night, though he was happy to collect some good loot.

 

 

James looked so cute I almost couldn't bear to stop looking at him.  He was not so fond of the headpiece but after a few minutes our good little sport forgot to be bothered by it.

 

 

 

 

 

A good friend of mine made this costume down to the last stitch for her first child.  I was thrilled that she offered to let us use it.  And now I have pictures of my youngest child wearing a type of ensemble I may never be able to convince him to wear again!

 

 

 

Everett had a great time trick-or-treating.  He had been anticipating this night for quite some time.  His costume was also borrowed.  A sweet friend of mine crocheted the hat for Everett, and he has been happy to wear it since.

 

 

I thought we might be able to stay together as a group this year, but Everett was too fast for the younger two.  Joel and James went ahead and I stayed back with the slowpokes.

 

In an effort to be original, Everett decided to wish everyone a Happy Halloween instead of the usual "trick or treat."  I think everyone was a good sport about it.

 

 

 

Ashley had a wonderful evening at her own pace.  It was extremely difficult and tiring for her to walk up to so many strange adults and have to speak in front of them not once, but twice at every single stop.  Sometimes I could tell she needed a little break and so I tried to not push her to speak when I saw she was completely overwhelmed.  Fortunately people were understanding about her as well.  I was so grateful because I really wanted Ashley to enjoy every bit of the holiday.

 

 

 

 

And she did.  She got tired of walking in her cowboy boots, which were a little big, so I let her walk around in her fleece socks.  After we put the boots away, Ashley moved much faster, but she stopped every so often to hug, stroke, and nuzzle her horse friend.  She was extremely disappointed when we had to return her little buddy to our friends.

 

 

 

William was a man on a mission.  He clomped purposefully up the steps at every house, no matter how tall or steep, after which he'd yell, "TICK OR TEAT!"  and then "DANK YOU!" at the top of his lungs.  More than one adult cringed as they watched him go back down their darkened steps (with good reason), but he was intent on doing it all himself.

 

 

 

The kids were all thrilled with their spoils.  We had plenty of candy.  I was thinking of turning it in to our dentist for two dollars a pound, but the kids woke up early the next morning and polished most of it off.  I was disgusted, but I was also secretly relieved.  Being asked constantly for just one more piece of candy really drives me crazy.

 

 

 

James was intrigued by all the candy.  He is smart enough now to immediately determine whether we are holding food.  And so he resorted to constant whimpering and begging, just like a little puppy.  Seeing as he has now discovered toilets (gag) and unraveling the toilet paper, knaws and drools on anything he can, loves to fetch balls, and learned a few months ago to crawl onto my lap whenever I'm sitting, I'd say "puppy" is a pretty good description of our little buddy.

 

It was a great holiday.  The kids are already looking forward to next Halloween.  The Johnson family had a great party all together, and I really wish we could have joined them.  Maybe some day!