Another snowy Halloween

With the storm dropping a ton of snow on us (and still snowing) I am reminded of all the snowy Halloween's as a kid. I remember being SO upset about not being able to go trick or treating because the weather was just too bad. One Halloween in particular I remember Bev was even disappointed. She stopped at the store and got us a bunch of scary movies, we got to eat cream of wheat for dinner (which was a treat and one of our favorites) and eat all the candy that we had to give the trick-or-treaters. I think we ended up having a few die hard kids that year (clearly their parents didn't win the battle). It ended up being one of the best Halloweens! I can still picture Jamie and I on our tummy's in the living room (on Baltic St) watching the creep show - and laughing at Mom who thought it was the scariest, most disgusting movie ever! HA! That still cracks me up. I also remember the time I got my tonsils out 8 days before Halloween and was DETERMINED to be well. I was a zombie punk rocker. The zombie part was unintentional. Snowy Halloween Lights

Good Times! I remember all the fights with Mom and Bev about having to wear my jacket over my costume (or winter boots for crying out loud!) Me, "But if I wear my jacket no one will see my costume" Bev, "well if you don't wear your jacket, no one will see you - period". I wore the jacket, begrudgingly. I remember dressing up for school (that was the best) and getting to do the costume parade!

Kim and I as Gypsy's in Grade School at one of the costume parades. I hated this costume at first because it was "home made" and not store bought (like all the other kids). But when I got to school and parents and teachers thought my ear rings were the best ever - well... it quickly turned in to one of my most favorite costumes ever! :-)

The view from my front porch this morning.

I find myself thinking about this as my little girl gears up for her first snowy Halloween. Last year was a fluke - it is NEVER nice enough here to trick or treat on Halloween - with only a light jacket. She is so excited and I am hoping she will get to go to a few houses - or I will find myself in the same predicament as Mom and Bev... "what to do with a ticked off trick-or-treater!"

I will add that Mike couldn't be MORE happy with the weather. For one, he loves the cold - but more importantly, he gets to use the snow blower! Kaitlyn loves it because she gets to use her bucket and fill it with snow - to make stuff! Guinness loves to tunnel through it - I am the odd one out. I am making it through this mess by imagining myself on a beach, with a fruity cocktail of some kind - smelling coconut suntan lotion....aaaahhhh.

Yesterday afternoon. You can't see the grin because he took off so fast!

Kaitlyn was super excited yesterday to go dig! Boy - wonder what she is going to think of today's accumulation!

Guinness in his tunnel path this morning.

Lil' Munchkins party

Kaitlyn was well enough to go back to school last Thursday, just in time for her first Halloween party. Mrs. Holly allowed me to sit in and help out - so I snapped a few photos. It was so sweet to see all the kids interacting and learning. They made treat bags, had story time, they danced and sang and searched for Halloween eggs filled with treats - the makings of a fine party I must say!
I really enjoyed being able to be a part of their day - and the popcorn balls were to die for! Seriously - best I've ever had!!

Here are a few of my favorite shots - see the slide show on the side for the rest.

She is super excited about trick-or-treating this year - and even more SO to be Wonder Woman! Man, to be a kid again!

Halloween 08

We had such a great time! We started at about 6:00, which proved to be agonizing because she was dressed and ready to go for about and hour. As you can imagine every five minutes I heard "can we go trick-or-treating now?"

"wing wong the witch is dead....lalala....GET OUT OF BED!" LOL She is so cute!

We set out about the same time as all the neighbors with little ones, so she was really excited to see everyone! Here she is with Jane at our neighbors house!

There was only one house that scared her - and I felt so bad because I was on the sidewalk waiting for her - and she just started bawling! They had a door cover on - and when you knocked it screamed at you. Poor baby. She quickly got over it tho when he gave her extra candy!

I just have to say how grateful I am to live in this neighborhood! Our whole community is so welcoming and safe! I was so happy to see all our friends and neighbors out and about - and all the kids laughing and having a great time! This is what a community should feel like! Lot's of people dressed up and decorated and really made it fun for the kids! My friend and neighbor Kristy had an open house for all the neighbors with soup and appetizers for everyone! It was so nice! Kaitlyn really enjoyed herself and so did I!

Of course, no Halloween would be complete without a sugar buzz!

Mike and I finished off the night with our friends Krista and Jan, and good game of Rummikub! Check out the slideshow on the side for more pics. You can click a picture for the full size version.

All in all a great Halloween!

Crafting, crafting, CRAFTING!!!!

I haven't posted in a while, because I have been in my "room" crafting like a fiend for weeks (it seems). Now that I work at Michael's, I have been in crafting overload. My brain literally is going a mile a minute every day that I am at work. So, It's been really satisfying to be able to release some of that creative energy! Although I should be working on Christmas stuff (I am SO FAR behind) this was a lot of fun! I will post a pic later of our Halloween house!

I have been a crafter for a long time, but this year it's especially fun because Kaitlyn has been crafting with me! She was so meticulous and precise. I had to get a pic of her painting this cat. She barely got any black on herself! I was so proud! LOL

Here are some pics and a few little videos of our fun!

Deep in creative thought




Last week, my neighbor Sarah needed to get some painting done herself, so she asked if I would watch Jane for a bit! I immediately sat them down for a craft! They loved it! Jane is so cute - and I always enjoy her! The girls crafted, sang, danced and of course argued a bit. But - all in all it was fun for all!

Sarah returned the favor by taking Kaitlyn to a "trunk-or-treat" party at her church. Everybody parks their cars - and puts candy in their trunks so the kids can go around and fill their baskets with treats. Kaitlyn has wanted to be Dorothy for Halloween for two months! Needless to say she was especially excited when they day FINALLY arrived that she got to put her costume on! Here are a few pics - I know there will be more -and you can probably check out Sarah's blog for some too...

I have SO many cute shots of her - but I'll stop it there! Kaitlyn had such a great time! Thank you to Sarah and Andrew for letting her be a part of their fun!

She can't believe that she gets to do it again on Friday!

Oh - one more hysterical shot...

After a fun filled craft day - We put K to bed, and as always before I go to bed I check on her. This is what I found.

She was SOUND ASLEEP! I took pictures and everything - she didn't budge! Ahhh, to be a kid!

Well - I need to get crafting!

Check back soon!