Halloween 2016

 This year we were "Little Red Riding Hood Characters". 

Shane:Woodsman
Katie: Grandma
Daphney: Little Red
Demitri: Big Bad Wolf
Paisley: The Basket of Goodies (Although I never really sold her on the basket so more of just a cupcake.)

Family Celebration:

For our family Halloween celebration we went to a park and had the kids go on a treasure hunt following clues to find a basket of goodies (cupcakes). Daphney was sure that Pirates had made the cupcakes and left for us! Daphney and I made her basket out of newspaper and then painted it. Harder than it looks online but a fun memory. 

See not her favorite place to sit in the basket!

Clearly a daddy's girl! Look at that smile while with him!

            Love this picture of Demitri and Shane- One SCARED wolf!!!

Trick or Treating Experience:

All three kids had a blast at Halloween. Daphney sprinted from door to door and Demitri took in every little detail of every decoration so it was hard to keep the two speeds near each other. 

BIG BAD WOLF:

Demitri kept calling people names when we would leave and luckily most people could not understand him when he would shout, "YOU CATERPILLAR!" -or they didn't know to be insulted. I had to explain to him not to do that because that is not their name and that is being mean. So instead at every house he had to ask them, "What is your name?" - and then in turn of course introduce himself. He could be our next president (of our neighborhood at least) because everybody now knows him. 

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD:

In Iowa they have a ridiculous study that says like for the last 80 years 911 calls have been down 50 percent because some politician started the tradition of kids telling jokes at Halloween for their candy. That somehow discourages the vandalism and chaos, because they have already gotten their orneriness out telling that funny joke. Anyways clearly I think it is silly and did not fight Daphney when she said she was "not telling jokes!" At each house they would ask for a joke and she would stubbornly reply, "I don't really tell jokes at houses." Finally a lady said, "fine I will tell you a joke then... What is the world's largest pencil? Pennsylvania.." After leaving that house Daphney said, "Hey mom, I have a joke for you! Why did Heavenly Father give us stores?" "I don't know Daph, Why?" Aghast she responded, "Well I DON'T KNOW!!" I don't think she quite has the joke thing down yet. 

OUR LITTLE CUPCAKE:

Paisley loved trick or treating! I felt kind of sheepish letting her trick or treat but I wanted her to experience it. She would walk right up to the basket and take handfuls of candy and people never complained because she is so baby cute! She would even fuss if she thought she wasn't going to get a turn. This picture is from a library's Halloween dance party. (The egg is a shaker not an Easter prop!)

Fun October Halloween Celebrations:

          Halloween seriously was just a month of parties and candies. Every library and business used it to attract people. A little ridiculous and maybe next year we will try to use restraint and not try to go to them all.  But I had to share this picture.... I mean really have you seen a happier boy riding a pony! I told the kids that we were going to get to do a pony ride and they looked unimpressed at least confused why I was so excited. Then Daphney asked, "Are they real ponies?" Me:"Yeah they are REAL!" That is when she nearly swallowed her tongue; - "THEY CAN TALK!!!" Me: "Aw, no. I guess you are right not that impressive..."  

            Another party we were pushing the closing time in line for the tallest, largest obstacle course bounce house slide. I even had to lift him up to get through the entrance. It was no surprise that Daph came down the giant slide head first and on her belly.Well of course they decide it is time to close while Demitri is still in the bounce house. He is taking forever and they keep turning off the lights. So he is doing all this big kid climbing in the dark. I was so proud that he finally made it out. I thought it might have eaten him!

Oh and lastly Shane would have never let Demitri go out in a dress (I didn't even have to ask), but while he was at work we had a fun time dressing him up as a wolf in Grandma's clothing!