Halloween...a week of festivities

Well this year we were sure to get plenty of use out of our beautiful Ladybug costume. Faith was excited and every day she would wake up and tell me "Mommy, it's almost Halloween Time."

In fact, we have a family calendar where I draw pictures and keep her engaged in all that we have planned and she had been anxiously counting down the days where she would get to wear her ladybug costume and see pumpkins.

Our first costume day was at dance class. Everybody got to wear their costumes, play games and get treats. Faith learned how to play "Bat Bat Witch" or otherwise known as "Duck Duck Goose" and "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin." All of the kids had a great time and we as parents sure did enjoy seeing our little ones romp around and enjoy their costumes. Surprisingly we had no duplicate costumes.

Next we had a big Harvest Festival at school. All the kids came in costume, with a goodie bag. Each class would take a Costume Parade down the halls and into every other classroom where they would march around in a circle and receive a treat on their way out. Too adorable. The infant class was led by a crawling superman and some toddling lions and ballerinas and pumpkins. The toddlers were a little apprehensive and Faith's Transistion class was well prepared to pause for pictures, smile on cue and well, ask for more candy. I believe we had more fun as parents then they did. After parading around the classroom and getting way more candy then I expected, we headed home for a relaxing afternoon since Daddy would be home early for PUMPKIN carving.

Faith was new to this, and enjoyed scooping out pumpkins, though she insisted on wearing her hat and apron. After about 15 minutes she left and retreated to the couch for some Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Express while Daddy and I carved all 4 pumpkins. Yes, baby bump got one too. Daddy had a scary face, Mommy had a castle, Faith had Cinderella, and Baby got a traditional goober face. All turned out fabulous.

Saturday was a day FULL of festivities. We started out at the North Texas Family Fun Expo where Faith wore her costume, got tons of candy and crayons, and we got a few freebies and several good coupons. Next was lunch at MOOYAH - heck ya, that burger is mouth watering, a nap ,then off to Hunter's Glen for a Family Festival full of more games, candy, fun, Uncle Chris and Gigi. Faith especially loved her popcorn and after settling in for 5 or so minutes, she quickly got on board with the concept: attempt game, smile all cute, get lots of candy. It worked and she and David had a great time. I especially liked to watch them play basketball, soccer and parachute time. Priceless.

Finally, dinner was a yummy Pei Wei and then back home for family change back into costumes. Mommy went as a witch, but wasn't as convincing as Daddy who went as Ernie from Sesame Street. Seriously. Hilarious. Faith adored him and he rocked it out. Zack was pumpkin. We didn't want to not participate in the festivities at our own house so we left lots of candy on the porch for some lucky kids who wanted to take it all. Hey, at least we participated. The neighborhood is still growing so you gotta earn some brownie points early.

We went to a nearby neighborhood where there was lots of families and tons of houses participating in the fun. Faith rode first class in her decked out wagon complete with reflective lighting and strobe lights. Pulled by the ever faithful Daddy, err, Ernie. She mastered the following:

Daddy, stop here. Thank you.

Trick or Treat.

My Daddy is Ernie (which resulted in many a laugh from people seeing a 6 ft 4 Ernie at the end of the side walk pulling a wagon)

Okay, let's go. (her beckon for Ernie to start rollin again)

I want to go there. They have lights on. (when I explained only houses with lights had candy)

(and after seeing a scary man sitting on his front porch handing out candy she would tell me...)

Let's go to that house, with lights, and no man. Man was scary. I didn't like that.

Mommy, I know the magic words, okay, they Trick or Treat.

We had a great time. And we can't wait to do it all over again. Though we are especially excited for the holidays seeing she was so aware of Halloween this year Christmas should be even better.