Halloween Hoopla

Our Halloween costuming started at Grandma's house for an unofficial trick-or-treat (and to let her see our witch and Mister Rogers in person).  But it definitely didn't end there!  Sam got all gussied up in his tie and sneakers and red sweater (thank heavens for big sister's hand-me-downs that didn't look too girly after some strategic safety pinning) for our annual Music Makers Halloween Party on the 30th.  We had a good group (though maybe not as huge as last year, which is fine with me) and the kids and moms all had a good time (and came away with plenty of treats)!

My attempt to get a group shot of everyone using the pano
setting turned a little skiwamp.

Most of them?  (Who really knows because these little creatures
just don't hold still!)

We've adopted a "kids sit and moms distribute" method for our
trick-or-treat exchange.  It's not my fave, but it's efficient!

Happy Mister Rogers with his bucket of candy
plus a toothbrush!

Finish it off with story time in the gym.  It's wild!

On Halloween morning we got to watch Callie march in her school costume parade.  Things went so much better than last year (when she was so nervous about her costume and all the kids and all the newness).  She waved to us in the stands and had a fun little march.  I got to come back to her class in the afternoon to help out with the halloween party.  Our room was the craft room where we guided the kids as they made little pencil topper sticker ghosts.  I snuck into the game room to watch her play Don't Eat Pete and the Mummy Race.

Meanwhile, Mister Rogers assisted me in making
our Halloween night dessert.

Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins!  (Oh yeah!)

Back at the party Cal had ditched her costume
after the parade (probably for the better - that
thing was a glitter bomb!).

Ready to roll!

Oh, she was fast!

Story time before our craft with Abby's mom.

Cutest first grader.  EVER!

After dinner (we had white bean chicken chili with halloween shaped tortilla chips - so festive!) and played a few rounds of uno and/or monopoly deal before donning the costumes again for our venture out to gather candy.  It was cold, but not nearly as cold as the day before, so we were very pleased with that for our walk to the Brimhalls (she gave out full size candy bars!), Doxey's (they weren't home), and Wades.  Then we hopped in the car to hit up primary teachers Shaums (they gave full size bars, too!), Sister Bott (she gave out big ol' bags of gummies and other candy!), and Sister Hogge (we were the only ones to came to her house, so she was extra glad we stopped by to snag a handful of fruit snacks).  Then it was back home for jammies and muffins and hot cider (or chocolate milk) and stories and bed.

Obligatory costume shot.

I was trying to get them to smile real smiles
by telling them jokes.  Callie was getting them,
clearly.

And the bundled up version.  At least
their coats fit in with the color scheme.  ;)

Our neighbor Kris has a cute porch scene.

And Renae does a nice job, too.

The sky started turning pink while we were at the Bott's.

And it just got better and better by the time we reached the
Hogge's.

What a finale!

And a bonus because it made me happy to see
our little dino costume being worn and loved
again by cousin Gracie.

And another bonus of my momma - Callie
texted her (her new favorite pastime) some birthday
wishes when we woke up and Grandma sent
her back this pic of her get up for the school
spook alley (Dr. Seuss themed).

Until next year!  Cal and Sam are already concocting ideas for costumes next year (I've heard a bottle of fry sauce in the running, so we'll see what happens next Halloween!)  Stay tuned!