Halloween Activities 2008

Sorry that it's been awhile since I've blogged on our family website! My job and keeping up with the house & kids have been my main priority. Not to mention my calling at church as the primary chorister. That keeps me on my toes as well! I knew in August when I accepted a position at the kid's school that it would take some adjusting to my new situation, and that things would become a little more arduous than ever before, but I really didn't anticipate how hectic my life would actually become! Everything has become a balancing act. I've had to prioritize a little bit better and improve my organization skills a little more. It has been several months of learning and growing. I'm hoping it only takes a little more time until I don't feel so out of control!

I've tried my best to keep things as normal for the kids as possible, although they've had to pitch in with a little more housework. So has Josh, but he's been amazing at helping and supporting me. We've also been trying to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. The temperature has been up and down, as usual, and the fall colors were amazing. We still have some fall leaves on the trees, although the peak season is over.

Our October has been FULL of Halloween activities! I was asked by Jessica and Logan's teachers to be the room mother for their holiday parties this year. Their teachers know me really well, and although I was hesitant at first to help with both classes, I decided to take the plunge. (My mom advised me that in the future I should learn to say "NO". Sometimes that's hard for me... especially with people I don't want to disappoint.) So I ended up using my free time (what free time!?!) the week before the Halloween parties to get the food and many different crafts ready, and also find parent volunteers to help out. On the day of the parties, Joshua took work off to come help in Logan's class. He painted pictures on the children's faces. Then he went into Jessica's classroom and recited a funny Halloween poem.

On Halloween evening, we had a family Halloween party. We made some "Jack-O-Lantern" english muffin pizzas, and had lots of other fun Halloween-themed foods for the evening. Then Spencer went to a friend's house for a Halloween party, and I took the rest of our kids trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. We came home and watched some kid-friendly Halloween movies. It was a fun evening!

Here are pictures of a few of our Halloween festivities this year ---

Logan trying to eat a "donut-on-a-string" at our church Halloween party

Alex at the church Halloween party

Jessica in the Halloween parade at school. She wanted to be a pirate.
(Her last year in elementary school... sniff, sniff)

Logan's Halloween party at school
(Notice the face paintings on each kid, courtesy of Josh)

Logan was "Black Spiderman" (He wanted a spiderweb painted on his face)

Alex and Logan making "Jack-O-Lantern" pizzas

Both boys wanted to be "Black Spiderman" this year. The costumes are reversible -- Red Spiderman is on the other side. They'll have fun playing in them during the rest of the year.

Jessica read a Halloween story to the boys before we went trick-or-treating

One Pirate and two Black Spidermans