Halloween

The end of October is a special time in our house, no not because of Halloween, but because it is Jeff's birthday. Jeff and I do not really celebrate Halloween with witches and ghosts and scary movies, instead we enjoy carving pumpkins and chatting with the neighbors as our little ones dress up as a favorite character or adorable animal.

This year we were able to join my parents at their hometown Halloween festivities on Thursday afternoon. They started with a costume parade, which the kids eagerly marched in, and ended with trick or treating to the local businesses downtown. After several blocks of collecting candy and enduring the unusually warm day, we were ready to go back to Grandpa and Grandma's for a cooler change of clothes and Jeff's birthday dinner. You would think that with all the candy the kids got that night they would have no interest in the fudgey frosted cupcakes for dessert, but alas, you would be wrong!

Finally, on Saturday we got back into our costumes, although some with less layers, and headed around the neighborhood. After only eight houses the rain came and Jeff, Nehemiah and Micah ran for home. Another three houses and Noah and Bella were wet and tired. A thoughtful neighbor took Calla around to the remaining homes, although personally I think she enjoyed hanging out with her friends more anyway. Once home, we checked out our loot and trudged up the stairs for baths. With the doorbell still ringing, Jeff was as busy downstairs as I was with four little ones upstairs. Finally all was calm and everyone was in bed, now we just needed to enjoy our extra hour of sleep!