Pumpkins and Stuff

We had a great Halloween this year. It all started, of course, with the pumpkin carving. When we were opening up all of the pumpkins, Bud's was rotten inside despite feeling totally firm on the outside. Bummer. Pen stepped in and saved the day by donating her pumpkin to Bud, saying all she really wanted was to be able to carve one and it didn't have to be hers. Thanks, Pen! And I won, too, because Pen carved Edith's pumpkin leaving me with one less to carve. Yessss!

After cleaning out the pumpkins, we carefully selected the designs we wanted and started poking!

Ginger carved her own surprised/scared "Casper" pumpkin and Pen carved Edith's princess. So nice to have capable kids! I really love the way our pumpkins turned out this year.

We were reminded of just how old the girls are getting by the fact that we pretty much didn't see them on Halloween, as they had their own stuff planned. It's weird how it's starting to feel around here-- like I only have 3 kids sometimes. With 5 kids worth of dishes and laundry. :)

Ginger was in such a rush to get out the door for school on Halloween that I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of her costume, and we didn't see her again until late that night. So sad about that. Anyway, Ginger went as an "identity thief". She borrowed one of Rophone's shirts and we plastered it with dozens of the "Hello my name is.." tags with different people's names on them. Easy and cute. She had a great Halloween with one of her neighbor friends-- they did stuff from right after school until late that night. Quite the Halloween.

I did manage to snap a quick photo of Pen's baby doll costume as she rushed out the door to meet her friends. She came up with the costume idea all on her own and I think it was great.

Edith decided that she wanted to go as Wonder Woman to the kids' Halloween parade at school, and then wear a bunny costume we found in the box at night to stay warmer. Sounds like a perfect plan. She was so excited to wear her costume (again) and go see the parade.

The school principal was at the start of the parade and he had one of the "punniest" costumes I've ever seen. It made me groan aloud. Can you figure it out?

Chicken cord-on blue. Get it? 

As usual, Bud tried to whiz past us as fast as he could to avoid getting his picture taken. He looks excited, doesn't he? Luckily, this is the last year he has to march-- next year he gets to go roller skating instead. He's so relieved.

Big, of course, was the complete opposite. 

I snapped more photos before we went out trick-or-treating that night. We decided just to turn off the porch light and not even give out candy so that I could tag along. It's been years since I've gone and it was so fun. 

A pretty steely eyed Batman, that's for sure. Don't tell Big, but Edith tried it on while he was at school. Shhhh….

Wonder Woman, Batman, and now a bunny. The girl's amazing. And so dang cute.

I asked the kids for one last group shot before we headed out. They were thrilled about the idea. Ha!

I loved watching the kids trick-or-treat, and I was so pleased at how friendly and polite they were. Edith even thanked a plastic skeleton holding a candy bowl and a few unattended bowls on porches. Good girl! :)

It really was such a fantastic Halloween. All you have to do is look at this picture to know that it's true:

Happy Halloween! Thanks for making it so fun, kids!