Halloween festivities...

Back in the everyday world- it is November 13th and the heat here in southern california continues- high of 88 degrees today and hazy as can be out there. I am doing okay- still fighting a cold that has been hanging around for weeks now, Geoffrey is too. At least the kids seem better.

First of all, we hosted a very delightful 3 year old centric halloween party. It was so sweet! I planned lots of activities for the thursday afternoon party - it went from 2:30-4:30 and I think it was just about the right amount to keep them interested. At first we did 2 crafts- one was decorating orange pumpkin craft bags with stickers and pom poms and feathers, pipe cleaners. The other one was decorating a real pumpkin with foam face stickers- super cute.

After that we did story time in the backyard where I read four sort of halloween themed books- the girls ate it up. After that we had easy snacks- mini hot dog bites, go-gurts, grapes, mummy mix (like chex mix sort've) mini quiches and cheese and crackers for the mommies. Then we played pin the nose on the pumpkin which did not go too well- I think the girls were a little young- they were not too hot on the idea of putting on a blindfold. About half participated- and our one 6 year old guest won, Leeah- she got a little painting kit as her prize.

After that we did sugar cookie decorating- I put out shaped cookies I had made with sophie ahead of time and frozen- pumpkins, cats and ghosts with orange, purple and white powdered sugar icing- the girls could decorate with halloween sprinkles, mini m and m's and mini chocolate chips. A bit messy but they were having a good time. Lastly we did a spider hunt- where I had Rachel set out big and little spiders inside the main rooms of the house at different levels. Sophie found the most, 7, and won her prize- 3 pairs of Tinkerbell undies. Finished up with Halloween funfetti cupcakes and some cookies that another Mom had brought. The kids got little monster goodie bags with a couple of sweet treats, a pumpkin bubbles necklace, a couple of creepy crawlies, a Halloween eraser and reflector necklace kit. A nice variety if I do say so myself! I had great help from Rachel all day - setting up and getting final party day things ready. Sophie dressed as a princess and Alex was too cute in his little frog costume. It was definitely fun and I would like to do it again next year- especially as I now have lots of halloween decorations!

I rented two kids' 6 foot tables and 10 chairs for the second time (same thing for Sophie's party in May.) I think I would like to buy 2 kids tables- they have ones with height adjustments from Lakeshore Learning that I have heard are just great. Keeping all the food just grab and go was so easy too- no recipe making, just easy baked appetizers, fruit, cereal mix and yogurts- that was the best call of all.

I used to dread Halloween as a single person- or I should say, pre-parenthood. I guess this is my wayof celebrating it too- by giving Sophie a fun and memorable experience. This particular holiday isso much fun through a 3 year old's eyes...

The next night- on halloween itself, sophie and alex and I traversed up to Oxnard for the ritualized trick or treating with Megan and Kimberly. Robert was away, so Alex and I mostly gave away candy to the kids from the porch. Some cute costumes but not too many. Sophie went crazy over her candy- noshing away as she does every year. Alex seemed to get a kick out of it too- toddling around in his froggy suit...