Halloween

As Ford gets older each year, Halloween, of course, becomes that much more fun. This is the first year he started talking about Halloween (he always calls it "Halloween Day"....cute), so I was really excited about doing all the fun things that we do around Halloween: pumpkins, costumes, parties, trick-or-treating. His enthusiasm did not disappoint -- until it came time to dress up in our costumes. More on that later. First, let's kick off with my favorite: Halloween treats! :)

As you know, Ford LOVES to help.....with EVERYTHING! Naturally, we just let him. So of course when I started making our treats for the Halloween party, he immediately ran to the closet to get "his" stool. I set him up at the counter where he helped make the pudding. He thought pouring the milk in was REALLY cool (ha!!..... I have no idea why he thought that was so funny) and then he stirred and stirred and stirred. While he worked on our Graveyard Pudding, I worked at the stove on our Ghost and Frankenstein Pretzels, and then we did Mummy Dogs. Everything turned out really yummy and was a big hit at the party!

After a day in the kitchen, it was time to put on our costumes for the annual party at our friends' Ryan and Erin's house! Unfortunately, Ford WAS NOT into the costume thing. We talked about and showed him the costumes all week before the party. He loved ours -- he kept putting our headpieces on and saying "I'm a green dinosaur" or "I'm a monster" -- but absolutely refused to try on his Ghostbusters uniform. David was eventually able to bribe him with food to get him in his costume, as long as it was unzipped. That child is so particular about what he wears....geesh. In the end, though, it all worked out. Our costumes were a hit, and Ford actually left his on all night. We had a great time at the party, and with more kids being added to the mix each year, they have a blast playing together.

We did our pumpkin picking in mid-October with some friends. It was a cold, wet day at the pumpkin patch, so we didn't get to do as much as we would have liked. We started out with pumpkin donuts and cider, then headed out to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard for some picking. Ford liked pulling the wagon (in fact, he wouldn't let me pull it at all -- he pulled it by himself the entire time, even loaded with heavy pumpkins).

The weekend before Halloween we enjoyed the amazing weather and sat outside for some pumpkin painting/carving. Ford painted two little pumpkins, and David and I painted one and carved one. He loved painting his pumpkins and didn't get TOO messy (thanks to regular crafting/painting at school). He was pretty proud of his work when we finally made him stop.

Unfortunately, the best part of Halloween -- trick-or-treating -- was ruined this year by Mother Nature. It was so cold and rainy out that we decided not to venture out for candy. That didn't stop Ford from enjoying the experience though! He helped pass out candy to every kid who braved the weather (not many, I can tell you), and I think he liked the attention from the older kids.

Dave and Connie were here for the long weekend, so we had extra fun with them. Kirk and Laura hosted their annual Scary Movie Fest at their house, and with the Kassenbrocks and Stelsels both in town, you know it was a grand ol' time! Ford was in rare form and entertained us as much as the movie.

Pretending to take a nap with Laura

Showing off David's half marathon medal (which he ran in the blistering cold on Saturday) while wearing his spider hat that he made at school.

Helping mommy make pumpkin puree from our Halloween pumpkins. Don't worry -- the stove wasn't on!!

After an eventful weekend (plus throw in the time change adjustment!), we all crashed on Sunday -- no one more than Chase though. I don't think he moved all afternoon. :)

Categories: family time, fun with friends, the kids