HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Today starts my Holiday Season. From now through DH's birthday on January 1, I am in heaven. I love the baking, the merriment, the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon and peppermint. It's just paradise.

So of course, we had to do Halloween right. We decided to host a little brunch for our friends and their families. It was going to be low-key, and lots of people volunteered to bring food and treats to help out.

Last night, after cleaning, I decided to draw a festive pumpkin in our driveway with Turtle's sidewalk chalk.



Followed by a big "Trick or Treat."



Followed by a path of pumpkins to our front door. I may or may not have done the same on our back patio.



Jack-o-lantern cupcakes. Orange-colored cake with chocolate chips, all festively frosted.



I really can't resist little surprises for Turtle. We got him a book and a Halloween Mr. Potato Head. It's his first MPH and I think it was a huge hit. Here, Daddy shows him how it works.



OJ for mimosas.



A cauldron of munchkins.



Cute little favors - pumpkins filled with m&ms and candy corn.



My pumpkin art survived the night.



I carved a spider pumpkin and a bat flying in front of a moon, obscured by clouds.



Where we live, we still have the hibiscus blooming.



Could these be any cuter? Jones Soda mini cans in Candy Corn, Lemondrop and Sour Kiwi flavors.



Turtle, all dressed up, on K's lap.



B the Lion with his mommy.



Rawr. Jungle friends, C the Zebra, and Turtle.



J with little H.



Banana and her mommy, N.



Here is Bumblebee A. She developed an attachment to Mr. Oscar. He is a patient little dog, and submitted to her loving.



So sweet and innocent :)



This photo is a testament to lightning reflexes. Apparently, B does NOT like to look at the camera. Got him!



Miss H. She's going to be out of that cast in no time! Her little brother I was the cutest pharaoh and she was a mummy. I have to get pics from her Mummy. Get it? Mummy? Ha ha.



Bartending: DH and A.



A little mom talk.



Mr. Q, speeding to surgery.



Miss A tried to get close to Molly. Molly was having none of it.



B tries to call Oscar, but that puggy is pooped.



One more hug for the road.



Our candy bowl for trick or treaters.



Mr. Potato Head.



Ok, Cutest story. Turtle was playing before dinner. He brought his costume over to DH, snuggled it a minute and then said "Help me!" He wanted to put it back on. Say it with me: Awwww.

Surprisingly, giraffes like turkey on rye with mustard, macaroni salad, melon and cupcakes. Who knew?



Giraffes also really like riding in Radio Flyers.



Heading out for candy.



So here's where things got dicey. I was a little opposed to the wagon, but DH thought it would work so Turtle didn't have to walk. Unfortunately, Turtle is also very attached to his wagon. By this, I mean, he does not like getting out of it. Or if he does get out, he does not wish to let go of it. A little hard for going door to door. DH got him out and attempted to coax him up the first driveway, and Turtle melted down. There were tears and cries of "Wagon!!!! Wagon!!!!" Sigh.

DH wanted to go home, but I said no. Hold him. I rushed the wagon home the 3 blocks and rushed back to catch up. By the time I got there, I had missed his first house and he was already a pro.

Check out this Resevoir Dogs moment.



The graceful giraffe approaches his target...



Inexplicably, he knocks, then turns and walks away.



Oh, wait. There's someone in there? Giving candy?



Here, Mommy. These are for you.



Also inexplicably, if Daddy stopped to chat Turtle opted to dump out and refill his bucket countless times.



Hilarious picture: chasing DH up a walkway, giggling like a maniac. Wheeee!



He did so well. He was two hours late to bed, but he was a total trooper. We love this little boy so much.

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The Spooktacular

On Thursday, we threw caution to the wind and took Turtle to the Zoo Spooktacular.

While this sounds like a fun family activity, it filled us with dread. After all, the Spooktacular opened at 6:30. Turtle's bedtime is a pretty consistent 5:20. Yeah. This could go either way.

We worked hard, keeping him up, then getting him in the car, and driving the 40 minutes. He did fine. So far, so good.

It was warm. DH convinced me that putting him in his costume would be a BAD IDEA. I tried to argue with him, but I also didn't want to create any issues that might lead to a meltdown. I dressed him in an orange striped polo. I mean, what kind of mommy am I? I didn't even have a cute pumpkin t-shirt for him. Of course, I felt awful when we arrived and saw all the little kids all dressed up. DH took one glance at me as we were trying to park and said "He would have been miserable."

My feelings of incompetence were quickly obliterated when the woman in the car next to us in the lot lit a new cigarette from the butt of her old one. She was 6-7 months pregnant. Yes, I judge that.

At the entrance.



Ooooh. Spooky.



Waiting to go in. I had gone to the loo and DH told me that he had heard people around him complaining that their kids were too hot in their costumes. Yeah. Still didn't feel better about it.



With his little friend, H. Both completely preoccupied and underwhelmed with the whole thing.



The jackolantern lights. So pretty.



The Mayor of PumpkinVille, welcoming us to his city. Or his 'ville. Whatever.



Turtle is still unsure of this. He has a bag, a glo-necklace and there are weird pumpkins staring at him. Oh, and it's late. Hmmm.



He has no idea that he is sitting in front of a ...



....GIANT PUMPKIN!!!!



A display of carved pumpkins. Super cool.



Yes, I'm still working on my night settings.



H, dressed as Minnie. In line for the carousel.



Turtle is checking it out.



Good photo opp gone bad. Unfortunately, DH sat on the inside of the carousel, so it was near impossible to get a photo. Boo, DH. Boo.



Posing with one of the fairies in the Enchanted Forest.




All in all, it was a super cute night. It took about two hours to walk through and it was hot and crowded. Now that we know exactly what it is about (a one-way walking path that keeps moving), we can plan better for next year. We had one little meltdown while DH was getting him something to eat. He was out of his stroller, and when I went to put him back in, he flipped out. Shoes were flung, the whole nine. It was awful and humiliating. However, we got him to snap out of it and were able to finish the rest of the event. Whew.

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