Halloween

Halloween was a crazy busy day, as it always is for a holiday.

We first started off with a Halloween parade for William. The schools big Halloween parade wasn't until that afternoon, but to let the morning kindergartners participate they got to have a small Halloween parade of their own. Their parade was to be a part of their Halloween party. It was kind of a kick off to their party. After some Halloween classwork the kids were finally able to line up. For their parade they got to walk around the classrooms on the first floor to show off their costumes. William was so excited too. It was funny when he got to Owen's classroom because Owen wouldn't let him go without giving him a hug. When they were done with all the classrooms they headed back to their classroom and got ready to party. We told him goodbye and that we'd see him soon.

After leaving we went and ran a few errands before coming back to pick him up. After picking him up we went out for a fun Halloween lunch. After lunch we ran a few more errands and then went back to the school for the big Halloween parade for the whole school.

When we got to the school it was chaos. There were kids running all over getting ready. I walked William to his classroom to find out where he was supposed to be. His teacher told us to wait while her afternoon class finished up their party. William and I went to the library to check out the book fair. After a few minutes passed we walked back to his classroom and he was told that he could wait there until they started the parade. I left him there and went back outside to wait with Ben for the parade to start. When it finally did we awaited as the kids passed by. Gabbi was embarrassed to see us and tried to hide from our view, Owen happily waved, and William was jumping up and down so excitedly as he walked by.

After the parade Ben headed home while William and I went back to the book fair. Gabbi had volunteered to help out after school, so while she was helping at the fair the boys were looking for books. Gabbi was assigned to dress up in the Clifford costume and walk around waving to all the kids that came to the book fair. She wasn't supposed to talk and all the kids following her around tried to get her to talk. It was pretty funny. After being in the costume for 30 minutes they let her out and she was a "body guard" for the next student. After a very long hour it was finally time to go home, so I called Ben to pick us up.

When we got home I cooked the traditional Halloween pizza from Papa Murphy's. We get one every year and the kids were excited to see it again. We told the kids they had to hurry up and eat so we could go have some fun. Ben found a fun trunk or treat hosted by the BYU Athletics club. All the teams at BYU were there. They lines both sides of the street in front of the gym. Some were in their costumes and some were in their uniforms. All of which were handing out so much candy it would make your head spin. The only bad part was the line. It was insanely long and the kids complained that it was cold and that the line wasn't moving. People were budding in line left and right and some were hoping back in to go around again. We finally made our way to the front and it was our turn. The kids couldn't believe what they were seeing and what they walked away with. I have never seen so much candy before. We could barely hold their bags.

After we had gone through both sides of the street we headed back to the truck. On our way home the kids wanted to stop at a few homes of ward members that told them to stop by, so we did. Once that was done we finally headed home. It was cold, dark, and I was totally ready to be done. It had been a long day and to top it off it was a shower night, so we got to fight the kids to hurry up and shower because it was way past their bedtime.

Ward Halloween Party

Even though we have been in the ward since June, we went to our first official ward activity. It was the Halloween party. They did a chili/soup cook off and activities for the kids. When we got there we found a seat and then the kids took off. They were having fun running around with all the kids and playing all the activities. They got to chalk color, throw bean bags, and even had a fun photo shoot booth. 

Once all the fun was done, we got in line to get dinner. There was quite the array of soups and chili's. The kids don't really like soup or chili, so it was a little difficult to find one that they would like, but they finally choose one and we sat down to eat. I was surprised that they each ate what they choose. I was just grateful that they didn't throw any of it away. When they were done with their soup, they all hit the dessert table. They all had a plethora of desserts on their plates and crazy enough they ate all of it.

When all was said and done they released the kids to trick or treat around the halls. They each got a lot of candy and really wanted to go around again. We told them no and then headed home.

For our first official activity, it wasn't bad. We didn't talk to a lot of people, but it was nice to get out and at least introduce ourselves to a few.

Beth's Annual Halloween Party

Every year Beth puts together a Halloween party and each year we look forward to it. This year we even got a little extra fun. We were there early for the party and to pass the time Parker told us about a neighbor who had made his own plane and was ironically enough having an open house and showing it off. The majority of us decided to go and check it out.

When we got to their house there weren't very many people there. Those that were there were able to walk around, check out the plane, and even get to sit inside of it. The kids were looking forward to that. Sadly there was a line for that, but they waited. Well the boys did. Gabbi wasn't as interested in it. She was just interested in the cupcakes and soda that they offered. The boys were no different, they just wanted to sit in the plane first.

After the kids were done with their cupcake and soda we waited for Parker before heading back. He was talking to the gentleman who made the plane. While we waited the kids passed the time by playing with their dog. They took turns throwing a tennis ball and the dog brought it back every time. I was surprised that he didn't tire. William loved it the most and didn't want to leave when it was time.

After finally pulling him away we headed back to Beth and Parker's. Everything was ready to go and now we were just waiting for the guests to arrive. While waiting we snapped a few pics before the kids ditched their costumes.

Once everyone was there, we all dished up and sat down to eat. It was all really good. When everyone was done, Beth had planned a fun activity for the kids. They got to decorate Halloween pillow sacks. I remember as a kid using pillow cases, we never had buckets or specific sacks. Now the kids each had their own and they even got to decorate it however they wanted. As their main picture Gabbi did a Day of the Dead skull, Owen did Jack the Pumpkin King, and William did a Jack-o-lantern. After they were done drawing their main pictures they embellished the rest of the pillow case. They all had a blast and couldn't wait use it on Halloween.

After the kids were done with their craft, we helped to clean up a little. Beth told us not to worry about it. I did have the kids help clean up the toys that they had played with and then we hit the road. Now we wait until next year for the next one.

Halloween treat with Grandma Annie

I love that Annie wants to spend time with the kids. For Halloween she planned a fun treat activity for them. She planned a rice crispy treat graveyard. She had all the stuff to be able to make a pretty fun looking graveyard. So we planned to get together at Beth and Parker's house before the party started in order for the kids to participate in this special activity with Annie.

She made the rice crispy treats with chocolate rice crispy cereal in order for it to look like dirt. Once they were made and in the containers, she pulled out all the candy for the activity. She made ghosts out of tootsie pop suckers and printed off grave headstones to add to their graveyards. Once they added the ghosts and grave headstones, they were ready to add candy bats, spiders, and worms. The kids had a blast putting these together. They put 5 headstones and 5 ghosts to represent everyone in our family. It was too cute to hear them explain everything that was going on in their graveyard.

When they were done they were really excited to be able to eat their graveyard. Sadly I wouldn't let them until they had eaten something decent before eating that much sugar. Plus they got to nibble a little while they were making their graveyards, so I wasn't being that mean when I said no.

Birthday dinner

William never was one for a big fancy dinner for his birthday, so when he said he wanted to go to Carl's Jr. for his birthday dinner, I wasn't surprised. I was half expecting him to say McDonald's, so this was a nice change. After the movie we headed to Carl's Jr. Once inside, he wasn't sure what to get, he's used to McDonald's menu. He picked a hamburger kids' meal. He couldn't wait to get the prize either. It was a WWE badge with trading cards of wrestlers. I had no idea he even knew what WWE was. As long as he liked his dinner, it didn't really matter about the prize.

After he was done eating, he ran off to go play. I'm pretty sure that's why he picks places like this...so he can play after he's done eating. After letting him play for a little bit, it was time to drag him back home so we can finish celebrating. When we got home, we pulled out his cake. He wanted to help me make it, so I baked it earlier but left his blank so he could finish the rest. He helped me frost it and then added the sprinkles on top. When he was done, we put the candle on top and sang to him as he made a wish. 

After we each had a piece of his cake, we cleaned up and then went into the front room so he could open his birthday present. He ran into the front room, so excited to open up his present. He literally opened it so fast; I almost missed it. He was super happy to see Clayface from Batman. I was worried he wouldn't know who it was, but he did, and couldn't wait to put him together.

Certificate

The kid's elementary school highlights some students each month. They call it their Character counts assembly. Each month has a different theme. For the month of October the theme was Innovative. I was surprised when Owen came home from school with this pretty nice certificate. He told me he got it at school, but that was it. He was more excited about the food gift certificates that were connected to it. I told him good job and he immediately asked when we could go out to eat...kids.

Birthday Activity

For his birthday activity, he wanted to go see a movie. Luckily for him, a new movie came out for Halloween, The Addams Family. The kids had a short day at school, so as soon as I picked them up from school we headed to the theater. We let the kids get popcorn and a drink and then we went inside and got a seat. 

It was such a cute movie. I would say I like it so much more than the live-action movies that came out when I was a kid. He seemed happy with his choice of activity; we all were. When we got home, he was surprised with another little gift...a birthday graham on the door just for him. He loved it and had the biggest grin on his face. He loved the sign so much; he hung it on his bed to keep for a long time.

Hee Haw Farms

William was so excited to bring home his first ever permission slip for a field trip to Hee Haw Farms. I had been on a preschool field trip to a different farm and it wasn't too bad so when he asked me if I would go with him, I said yes. He counted down the day to his field trip. It made it easy considering that it was the day of his birthday and he was counting down for that as well.

When the day finally came, he was jumping up and down. He couldn't wait to get going. Sadly he had to go eat breakfast first. I told him I would meet him in his class when it was time to get going. When I walked in the classroom a half hour later, they were all off the wall. All so excited to get on the bus and leave. I had originally planned on driving myself, but ended up taking the groups of kids back to the bus and was asked to ride the bus. I was a little bummed because I had left my phone in the van and had no time or way to take pictures. I crossed my fingers that some mom would be nice enough to share her pictures with me.

We luckily had so many moms that there was at least two or three moms for every group of 5 to 6 kids. The two moms that I was with both had phones and were happy to share their photos with me. 

When we got off the bus they gathered us in the front and told us what we could do. They pretty much told them that it was a free for all and as long as they were back to the bus by 11, they could do whatever they wanted. They did have a lot to choose from, so as a group we decided what our plan of attack would be and went at it.

We started our way to the hay ride. On our way we passed a small playground that he a few swings and some tires that you could climb on and jump off. They all ran over to the swings and took turns until we say the hay ride coming back so we could hop on.

After the hayride was done we stopped for a fun photo ops in front of a giant pumpkin. I'm not sure why it had a giant ruler behind it, but whatever it was for the kids liked the giant pumpkin.

After our photo op with the pumpkin we headed to the corn maze. I hate corn mazes, I can never make my way through them. They said it was easy enough for little kids to figure out so we let each of them make choices as to which direction to go. The hardest part was keeping them together. The few in the front kept running faster than the rest of the group. Then to top it off, one of the girls were afraid of chicken and they were walking all throughout the maze. She was freaking out. We tried to get through it as quickly as possible. We never really found out way through it, we at one point just turned around and tried to go back the way we came.

When we were finally out we went over to the big open yard. They had slides, animals they could pet, a corn pit, a water table, and so much more. He split up a little all while trying to keep them close together. As long as we had an eye on them and knew where they all were, we just let them play. Their favorite was the tall slide. They went down over and over again.

When it was time, we walked them over to the stacks of pumpkins and each of them were allowed to pick out one pumpkin to take home. They took forever to choose one, but once they did we headed back to the bus to go back to school.

When we got back to the school for his birthday, I decided to take William out to lunch. It was a pretty fun morning/afternoon.

Painting Pumkins

I'm not a huge fan of decorating pumpkins, but when it's included in the price with a visit to a farm, what can you do. The kids each picked their own pumpkin while at Black Island Farms and for over a week and a half they begged me to paint or decorate them. So finally I decided to clean the dirt off and let the kids paint them. It wasn't my favorite activity and I probably should have made them decorate them in the garage, but I had promised they could watch Hocus Pocus while they decorated pumpkins so as long as they kept the paint to the cardboard, I didn't see the harm.

We got the movie going and then brought out the pumpkins, plates, brushes, and paint. They each thought for a while as to what they wanted to do. Gabbi wanted to make a monster, then a vampire but didn't like how either of them was going and then finally painted the whole thing and turned it into a Devil. Owen wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He just started painting. He painted the whole pumpkin before decided that he would make it look like his little one, a one eyed monster. William also had no idea what he wanted to paint. He was just taking all sorts of colors and putting it on his pumpkin. After seeing that Owen was painting his entire pumpkin, he wanted to do the same. So he painted the whole thing black. Once it dried he finally decided that he wanted Jack the Pumpkin King on it. Owen was all to welcome to help him, but they finally finished. 

It took for what seemed like forever, especially since they painted over and over in different layers when they didn't like how it turned out. After almost 2 and a half hours they finally had finished and were ready to put them on the porch.